I am all about supporting small galleries, but am often disappointed by, well, their smallness! The…read moreAtlantic Gallery, however, really took me by surprise.
The gallery used to be located in SoHo, but moved in 2007 to a midtown building on a quiet part of W. 29th Street. Inside, a guard irreverently bumping Rhianna told me to take the elevator to the 6th floor. There, I immediately found a large, clean, and handicap accessible bathroom.
After washing up, I stepped into a brightly lit gallery with chairs set up for "On the Waterfront," a special panel about water conservation and quality as it pertains to New York City residents. Not only did they have chairs set up for this completely free event, they provided personal fans because the AC would be turned off in order to film the panelists.
Much to my surprise, there was even a table set up with servers who poured generous amounts of high quality red and white wine into compostible cups made of corn (no, you can't taste the corn, and the cups look just like plastic). There was even a punch bowl full of vodka, curacao, and ice for those who wanted something harder. And of course, there was water. Cheese, strawberries, crackers, and delicious guacamole with large avocado chunks were among the offerings.
A large part of my high review for this venue has to do with the excellence of the panel itself (though the water-themed photographs, paintings, and mixed media pieces on display were also extremely interesting and pleasing to the eye). The panelists included big-time author of "Bottlemania" Elizabeth Royte and "Gasland" documentary director Josh Fox (gaslandthemovie.com). Everyone spoke articulately, expertly, and urgently about how important it is to be aware of where we get our water.
After the event, everyone was invited to eat and drink more, and mingle with the down-to-earth panelists.
I have full confidence that any organization that can put together an event of this caliber is sure to do it again. So, I look forward to scoping the Atlantic Gallery's future events and exhibits.
It's in a building that looks residential or even abandoned from the outside...but on the inside, you will find a refreshing haven full of beauty and enlightenment.