A year and a half ago, Robert Antreasian took a giant leap of faith when he quit his job and purchased an art gallery in the Baltimore neighborhood of Hampden. The former Paper Rock Scissors Gallery on “The Avenue” (36th Street) went up for sale along with a great deal of inventory.
“My background is not in art,” he said. “But it?s always been a lifelong dream to own a gallery.”
Antreasian, a 53-year-old husband and father of three, holds a degree in accounting, and while he often wonders about the wisdom of this move, he recalls never being scared or regretful.
“I enjoy when people come in and connect with the work. A piece of art will touch the soul and become a part of it. That does it for me, that makes my day,” he said.
Antreasian knows what he likes. He will nurture the artists who create what is pleasing to him, and stock their work for sale to the public. He does not care for the term “contemporary” in conjunction with art, as it connotes conceptual art. Instead, he refers to his collection of still life, landscapes, portraits and scenes of every day life as “modern art.” He also loves colorful, abstract and expressionistic pieces.
In his 1,800-square-foot gallery with a distinctive tin ceiling, Antreasian displays close to 200 paintings at any given time, along with a smattering of sculptures. He shows both local and regional artists, showcasing individual work in monthly exhibits.
As an example, he cites the gallery?s collection of Haitian paintings, which is contributed by his friend Madison Smart Bell, who is an author and teacher at Goucher College. On regular trips to Haiti, he gathers with a group of local artists and brings their paintings back to Baltimore for sale in the Hampden gallery.
“The paintings are of two varieties,” Antreasian said. “There is a voodoo, or spiritual component, and then there are everyday scenes.”
He added that, ironically, none of the paintings deals with Haiti?s political strife, “as if it didn?t exist.”
Bell?s share of the paintings and profits goes right back to the Haitian artists.
Antreasian?s current exhibit (through July 1) highlights the works of Edna Emmet.
“Her paintings are rich in color with a spiritual edge that makes you connect with the universe,” he said.
Antreasian Gallery
» Where: 1111 W. 36th St.,
Baltimore
» Contact: 410-235-4420
» Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday to Saturday
