It’s been a busy fall for the Bushwick art scene, with not one but two non-profit galleries moving from Williamsburg into new gallery super-hub 56 Bogart Street, several new DIY galleries launching in the last two months, and one major Manhattan gallery opening a new project space in the artist-rich neighborhood. Er, make that two! Yesterday evening Soho gallery Christina Ray announced that come the new year it will change its name to Kesting/Ray—to reflect David Kesting’s addition to the team—and open a project space in Bushwick.
Unfortunately, for now that’s all we know. Kesting/Ray will remain at its storefront space at 30 Grand Street in Soho (pictured), and in early 2012 will launch a “new project space in Bushwick for artist projects, viewings by appointment and special events.” Where exactly in Bushwick said project space will be is a mystery for now, and presumably it won’t be quite as epic as Luhring Augustine’s Chelsea-ification of an entire Knickerbocker Avenue warehouse, but this is very exciting news nonetheless.
While we ponder its ramifications and place bets on the next Manhattan gallery to announce a Bushwick project space, here’s the announcement in full:
Dear friends,
Here at 30 Grand Street we’re excited to be undertaking a significant change. With our December show we’ll launch our new name, Kesting / Ray.
As many of you know, David Kesting joined the team at Christina Ray over a year ago and his presence has generated considerable growth for the gallery. In 2011 we’ve exhibited the work of many new artists, participated in several major art fairs — including the recent inaugural edition of PULSE Los Angeles — and have collaborated on projects including an installation at AOL Ventures and a collector visit to Swoon’s studio in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Early next year we’ll launch our new project space in Bushwick for artist projects, viewings by appointment and special events.
As Kesting / Ray, we’ll continue working with the same “family” of artists and gallery staff and will remain in our Manhattan location. Within the next few weeks we’ll transition into our new website and head to Miami for the PULSE and Fountain art fairs, where we’ll exhibit for the first time under our new name.
We’re delighted to deepen our relationship with our collectors and friends as we make this change. We invite you to join us as we continue to discover and advance the most important contemporary artists transforming concepts of space and identity.
Best wishes from both of us,
David Kesting and Christina Ray
Co-Directors, Kesting / Ray