Happy Birthday Bozarts

Bunchs Lunchbox  |  07/01/2010 7:00 am

This Saturday, Bozarts Fine Art and Music Gallery will celebrate its first birthday. As usual, it's going to be one hell of a cool party.

Bozarts is the brain child of local artist Jerry Gray. After years of slugging it out in the arts scene, setting up shows at local bars, and attracting Toledo's underground to hip, off-the-map events, Gray was able to realize his true dream, opening an artists commune style art gallery. The dream took shape in a forgotten about warehouse on the edge of Downtown Toledo. With a lot of hard work and elbow grease, Gray opened the roughed-out space to wide acclaim. Since, Bozarts has filled a much-needed-to-be-filled gap in the local arts scene, a non-pretentious gallery where talented alt-artists can do whatever they like, resulting in some of the coolest shows in town. Not to mention, a gallery that is selling a surprising amount of work.

Bozarts is more than just a gallery, though. It's become a place where the local creative community pow-wows to plan how to take over the city, and offers a comforting justification for reasons to stay here and not flee to beacons of cool like, Chicago, New York and L.A. Bozarts is precisely the kind of place people leave Toledo looking for. Thanks to Gray, it's now right under our noses.

The One Year Anniversary Celebration has lots of the usual Bozarts antics in store, all-day grilling, lots of beverage consumption, good people, conversation, a little madness and anarchy, and, of course, art. Typical of the gallery's casual, unassuming approach, there isn't a proper “show” set up for this one, but rather a myriad of art and music available throughout the day. Those antics are listed below.

Come out to Bozarts (151 S. St. Clair St.) this Saturday, July 3, and wish Jerry and the Gallery a happy birthday. Then, hang out and see what all the simple magic is about. Free. 3 p.m. - 12 a.m. Bozarts on Facebook.

Jerry Gray's article in Toledo Free Press Star.


Art:

  • A coloring contest will be held, get your sheet at Downtown Latte, Homeslice Pizza, or the Ottawa Tavern now, color it, and bring it to enter to win. Winner wins a solo show/party at Bozarts.

  • The next solo show at Bozarts is that of Yusef Lateef. Come see his works in progress as he uses the gallery as a studio to prepare.

  • Local artist couple, recently engaged, Dustyn Bork and Carly Dahl, are moving soon to take up some choice career opportunities. We'll all miss them, but, before they go, they're holding a yART Sale at Bozarts. Come pick up some great print works and fine art, and help 'em get a little gas money to get to Arkansas.

Music:

  • Old West End Records will celebrate a six CD release party.

  • Live bands include The Blowing Grains (of Bluegrass Breakfast fame), Alana Pop, Mark Hutchins, Jason Quick and Joe Sneider, and the Fairly Handsome Band.

  • OWER Djs include Nmattimoe (of Old School Fridays at Wesley's fame), Ortho, Damon Sturdivant, and Alan Leizerman.

Other:

  • Jerry Gray, his dog Jobo, and Heather Helweg celebrate their birthdays.

  • Toby Fey and Anneliese Gryta celebrate their wedding with a bike ride by Bozarts.

  • 50/50 Raffle

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