arts Ending on a Positive Note By Lynn Taylor
MIZE GALLERY
“Lucid Dreaming Co-Vivid” by Eileen Goldenberg
Mize Gallery is known for its creatively themed monthly exhibits. Since opening the gallery in 2018, owner Chad Mize mixes serious themes, such as “Vote,“ prior to the 2020 election, with lighter, pop culture focus, such as “Sounds Good,” a reimagining of iconic album covers. “I love pop culture and the notion that it is something people can relate to,” says Mize. “We go back and forth between serious themes like ‘Conspiracy’ and fun, lighthearted tongue-in-cheek shows like ‘SMILE.’ My favorite part of coming up with these ideas are when artists drop off their work for a show and I see what they’ve done.” A graphic designer and web developer, Mize began painting murals on the 600 block of Central Avenue in 2011 and went on to create pieces for Facebook, the Tampa Bay Rays and
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Busch Gardens, as well as residential art. He opened Mize Gallery at 689 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N., after closing Blue Lucy, the space he had previously owned, in 2014. The new gallery prompted a new direction, and he started focusing on the thematic shows that local artists could participate in with the goal of 12 exhibits a year. “I realized that it is my art form and I really enjoy it. I love the communal aspect of having artists learn from each other and connect. We have artists participating in our exhibits that range from 21 year-olds to 71 years of age.” Mize has developed relationships with local artists and has a large database of those who might want to participate in an upcoming show. This year alone, 287 artists created new works for his shows, which
have been virtual since March due to COVID-19. The gallery began opening on weekends, limiting guests to six at a time, in June. So, how to end 2020 during a year with so many challenges? When Mize was considering ideas, he knew he wanted to create a positive show to end a crazy year. “I try to use my art as a positive way to uplift. And I thought a positive theme would help other artists too. So I decided no negative art would be accepted,” he said. “I wanted only a positive vibe. We’ve had enough negative stuff going on this year.” Mize titled the show Something 2020, and put out a call to artists with the requirement that each submit a piece that focuses on a positive aspect of 2020. More than 120 artists applied, and the list had to be narrowed to about half.
theGabber.com | December 10 - December 16, 2020
