As an artist and an art enthusiast, it was almost mandatory for me to make it to this show. The moment I caught wind of it I was already planning my outfit and making my dinner plans. Nothing gets me more excited than a new gallery here in Grand Junction, especially this one. Omnia Contemporary is a gallery and studio ran by Reagen Jericho, Christian Uriah, and their uncle Joseph Gonzales, a Grand Junction native with an already tremendous influence in the art scene. Omnia brings a refreshing change in format to the valley, in place of the typical wall-to-wall vanity gallery we have all walked through from time to time. It’s a deliciously simple venue for refined local artists and from what I have seen, it’s already making waves in the community.
Prelude, the first show exhibited at Omnia Contemporary was not only featuring work from all of the owners, but was their first time creating art to be put on display together though not their first time working together. After talking to the artists it was clear that Gonzales had them working at a very young age. “My uncle had me doing value scales the moment I could pick up a pencil,” said Jericho when asked about how Gonzales had influenced his work, “he is the reason I’m here right now”.
And by the looks of the crowd that came out, those words ring true for much of the youth here in junction. On top of being a working artist, Gonzales is also an art teacher at Central High School . I have never seen a group of teenagers so excited to do anything at all, let alone support a teacher in something they are passionate about . The amount of respect radiating off of these students was almost as inspiring as the art on display. If you love art and need a fresh and different gallery to explore, get yourself to Main Street and visit Omnia Contemporary as soon as possible. If you don’t love art (boo), go anyway. Variety is the spice of life!
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