Christopher West in joint venture with Dean Johnson

Well-known local art curator Christopher West is bringing his talents to Mass Ave in a two-fold partnership with Dean

Christopher West

Johnson Design.

West, until earlier this year the curator of the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, will not only refocus the popular Dean Johnson Gallery, but will use part of that space for his own project, to be known as “christopher west presents.”

West’s project is described as a contemporary art gallery focusing on emerging regional and national artists. The new gallery will open on Thursday, Oct. 1, with a new installation by painter Danielle Riede.

The intimate gallery space, located in Dean Johnson Design at 646 Mass Ave, will focus primarily on solo exhibitions and feature about 10 artists a year. West indicated that he will capitalize on his more than 10 years experience in curating and selling contemporary art both in Indianapolis and on the West Coast.

West said that although the economic times are challenging this seems like the perfect opportunity to start this new venture. “It’s times like these that the entrepreneurial spirit really comes alive,” he said. “Businesses must become more creative, new partnerships need to be formed, and ultimately a better product emerges.”

In exchange for the gallery space, West will help refocus and reinvigorate the already popular Dean Johnson Gallery. “I see a real opportunity with Dean Johnson’s space,” West said. “They’ve always provided an amazing service to the local arts community and now we are both excited to continue evolving and pushing the arts scene forward.”

After fulfilling current obligations with exhibitions already planned for 2009, Dean Johnson Gallery will start focusing on contemporary design from Central Indiana and the Midwest beginning in December of this year.

“We’re excited to expose new artists and ideas to the community and Christopher has a record of finding fresh, new talent.” said Scott Johnson, principal of Dean Johnson Design.

“Our hope is that both of our galleries can feed off each other and add to the vibrancy of what is certainly the cultural heart of the city,” Johnson said.