Bringing Art to the Heart of Huntsville

By Abigail Harrison, DHI Communications Coordinator

What is art? Is it confined to the walls of famous museums like the Louvre? Or is it as simple as the crayon pictures that live on fridge magnets? 

Art is everywhere, but sometimes it gets overlooked by the eyes of busy people heading to work, driving to the grocery store, or going to pick up kids from school. The Curated Gallery is an organization that is dedicated to shining a light on artwork in spaces that may otherwise be invisible.

“The Curated Gallery is a brand that wants to be unconventional when it comes to fine art. We want to be able to force a new way of looking and thinking when it comes to art concepts,” said Asé Selah, a local artist and organizer at the Curated Gallery. “Our goal is to find normal spaces and transform them into experiences, and that’s where the curated aspect comes into play.”

One way the gallery is accomplishing this goal is by hosting an Underground Art Exhibition in Downtown Huntsville on August 24-26. Their vision is to transform the basement at the Downtown Storage building into a place where people can experience a variety of art mediums, including ceramic, photography, and painting.

The underground aspect is all about the intimacy people will feel with the artwork. The closeness in space, dim lights, and change in temperature allows for viewers to feel the elements within the environment and engage with the artwork in a way that is not available at most galleries. People will be able to browse through the art collections, talk to the artists, and ask questions or discuss the works.

“These are things that you would normally expect to see in a metropolis, and Huntsville has that charm,” said Kevin Richardson, a local music producer who is also an organizer for the gallery. “So, why not bring that charm here, bring the art to the people, and educate them on the different types of art.”

The exhibit will feature a lineup of local and nonlocal artists, such as Anna Rose Castellanos, Trevor Hughes, and more. Asé is also part of the group of artists presenting their work this week.

Asé has been a practicing artist for several years, and he is currently working on his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. He started his art career doing realism but soon became too comfortable with the technique and skills. He began studying human behavior to learn more about how people interacted with culture and art, and that led to him experimenting with the use of color to evoke an emotional connection within his work.

“Throughout my journey I've been looking to find my own voice in my work, and it wasn’t until recently that I decided to pivot in a new direction,” Asé said. “I started to realize that my work was never really about human behavior, it was more about time, but how do I convey and communicate time?”

The pieces he is displaying at the upcoming exhibition explore the idea of preserving moments in time, like how a snapshot is done with a camera. Some of Asé’s other pieces can be found displayed throughout Huntsville, such as at the Von Braun Center, UAH, and Huntsville Hospital.

Asé understands how important it is for artists to gain experience in the art world. He hopes the Underground Art Exhibition will act as an environment where emerging artists can educate each other, share connections, and learn how to brand themselves as practicing artists. 

“Galleries have this thing about wanting artists to have everything together, and sometimes that creates so much stress and anxiety that a lot of people lose opportunities because they’re not ready yet,” Asé said. “So, there is a need for a safe space, and we are trying to fulfill that need.”

There are different levels for how the public can support the event. Guests can purchase their tickets for $10 online or at the door on the days of the exhibit. Most of the art on display will be available for purchase, and there will be a gift shop for those who want to make a smaller purchase.

Donations will also be collected for the gallery’s nonprofit organization, the Arts Leadership Program, which provides opportunities for students and underprivileged children in Huntsville to explore and observe art. The children participate in activities and workshops to learn all forms of art, including creative writing, music, and dance.

Guests do not have to be knowledgeable about art to enjoy this event. Asé and Kevin want to encourage people to come, even if they have never been to an art gallery before. 

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Asé said. “I believe that awareness is key and exposure is key. If you lack those two resources in life, you will miss out on a big portion of intellect, growth, and education. And those things are very pivotal in terms of quality of living.”