Borelli-Edwards Gallery has leased five first-floor spaces in Lawrenceville’s
Blackbird Artist Studios located at 3583 Butler St. The gallery, which is hosting an opening on June 29th, carries sculpture, paintings, assemblages, and Japanese prints by artists from the tri-state region.
“I decided that if I wanted to be a serious gallery, I needed to be in the city. I looked all over and kept coming back to Lawrenceville,” says Joy Edwards, who for twenty-nine years ran the gallery in
McCandless. “I like its proximity to the city and that it’s in the
Design Zone. I like the community feeling here. There’s a good artistic vibe.”
Architect Keith Cochran worked with Edwards to design the spaces. “I want to be the preeminent gallery for regional art, to help raise people’s awareness of buying a one-of-a-kind piece that has the soul of the artist,” says Edwards, who represents artists who exhibit nationally. “As the art world moves out of New York City a bit, artists are moving to other areas. Pittsburgh has been called the San Francisco of the East," he notes, adding, "There’s also a lot of creative thinking going on in the robotics and medical fields.”
Kelly Hoffman with the
Lawrenceville Corporation anticipates that Blackbird's ten artist studios will be fully leased in a few months. “Joy's business will complement the many artists, designers, and arts-related businesses that are located in Lawrenceville.” Developed by
Artists and Cities, Inc., Blackbird also features 15 owner-occupied residential units.
Studio d'ARCdesigned the $950,000 project; contractor was
Sota Construction Services, Inc.
Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Joy Edwards, Borelli-Edwards Gallery; Kelly Hoffman, Lawrenceville Corporation
Photograph copyright © Jonathan Greene