Nov 12 2011
The Axis Art Gallery Debuts Jan. 28
San Jose, Calif. (Vocus) January 23, 2010
Last fall, Axis offered its walls to showcase local art via art@axis. This year, Axis is providing prime space to house an actual art gallery, located on-site in a street-level live/work unit.
The Axis Art Gallery is San Joses newest contemporary fine art gallery. Curated by local photographer Deborah Mills Thackrey, the Axis Art Gallery (http://www.AxisArtGallery.com ) features emerging and mid-career contemporary fine art in all media including digital installations, all for sale in a pop-up store location at Axis, 38 N. Almaden Blvd., #101 (next to Hotel De Anza) in downtown San Jose.
This gallery concept was sparked by the spectacular response from the public we received for art@axis, said Thackrey, who was the curator for the art@axis collection of works by local artists that has adorned walls at Axis since Sept. 2009. Axis was generous enough to lend space for local artists to display and sell their fine work.
The gallery will cater to Axis homeowners, neighborhood residents, downtown shoppers, and art collectors, as well as those who are new to art collecting and are curious about the products of the local art scene, she added.
Aside from supporting the arts, Axis is using the gallery as a chance to show off its award-winning luxury high-rise condominiums and, specifically, its collection of live/work units.
Axis has eight live/work units, each with two entrances and private street-level access. They are priced from the mid-$ 300,000s for up to 1,845 sq. ft. They are called live/work units because city codes allow for residents to live there, while also conducting business out of the same location.
The situation is ideal for many types of small businesses that benefit from a street entrance for clients, vendors and customers. The kitchen and restroom is also handy for both the at-home professional and for visitors.
Live/work units are an ideal situation for a solo practitioner or small business owner, said Sandra Eaton, Axis community sales manager. Axis offers great selections for the buyer which sees the value and convenience in mixing home and office.
A live/work set up works for a wide-array of professionals, such as a graphic designer, public relations practitioner, insurance agent, therapist, yoga teacher, aesthetician, attorney, and many more. While The Axis Art Gallery is only a temporary installation or pop-up store, it does demonstrate the flexibility of the space for live/work users, such as an artist who needs a combination home, studio and storefront. While art will still adorn the Axis lobby and model homes, beginning Jan. 29, Thackrey will have REGULAR business hours — noon – 6 pm., Wednesday-Saturday, and by appointment by calling (408) 623-9888) — in the on-site gallery to show and sell work for local artists.
The Axis Art Gallery will debut during a gala opening 5-9 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28, at Axis. The preview reception will feature food, drink and music, as well as tours of model homes decorated with contemporary fine art. Tours of Axis and several well-appointed model homes will be available 5-7:30 p.m. The debut event is free and open to the public: RSVP to info(at)art-at-axis(dot)com.
Silicon Valleys emphasis on high tech tends to overwhelm and ignore the creative arts, as does having to live in the shadow of San Franciscos notoriety as an arts mecca, said Thackrey. While the reputation of the local arts scene has suffered, the quantity and quality of artists is very good and thats what this gallery will offer.
We are thrilled to be able to showcase the areas outstanding artists to a greater audience amidst such a beautiful venue, she added. And if visitors like what they see, they can buy the individual works of art — a great way to decorate their new condo at Axis.
The association between art and Axis was formed when the condominiums marketing team reached out to local artists to lend space in their beautiful new building as a showplace for original artwork. Thackrey answered the call for artists offering her company, Willow Glen Productions, to help curate the space in order to provide exposure for the many talented local artists she knows. Thus, art@axis was born last fall featuring 80 works by more than a dozen Bay Area artists filling the Axis lobby, 12th floor and penthouses from Sept. through early December 2009. A totally new collection of art for public viewing debuted a month ago. The art featured includes sculpture, paintings, photography, ceramics, and textile arts (both digital and traditional). The public is invited for viewing daily from noon to 5 p.m. and admission is free.
For more information about the Jan. 28 event, The Axis Art Gallery and the collection of art displayed at Axis, visit: http://www.axisartgallery.com .
About Axis
Axis is downtown San Joses award-winning luxury high-rise condominium development, which welcomed its first residents in fall 2008 and now has more than 100 residents. Neighbor to historic Hotel De Anza at the apex of majestic Almaden Boulevard, Axis commands downtown San Joses premier location, offering all the advantages of urban living, including access to sunny streetside cafes and popular nightspots at nearby San Pedro Square. The dramatic 22-story, 228-ft. tall glass and granite high-rise designed by noted architects Ankrom Moisan features 329 spacious homes with luxury services and amenities, including floor-to-ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views of Silicon Valley. Axis was named Residential Development of the Year for Structures 2007 by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. For more information about Axis, marketed exclusively by Pacific Marketing Associates, visit the sales center, open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 38 N. Almaden Blvd. in San Jose; call (408) 297-9888; or, visit online at http://www.axissanjose.com .
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