Bo Bartlett calls New York gallery opening ‘stupendous’
Columbus artist Bo Bartlett could not have been more pleased with the opening of a show at a New York City gallery Thursday night featuring 13 works.
“The opening was stupendous,” Bartlett said Friday morning in an email. “Packed. Sweltering. Everyone seemed to be swimming in the humidity — and good energy. The crowd overflowed into the street and down the block.”
His work is on display at the Ameringer McEnery Yohe Gallery on West 22nd Street.
“I couldn’t be happier with the gallery, Miles McEnery and the gallery crew did an incredible job of hanging and lighting,” Bartlett said. “ ... It is exactly the show I’d hope to mount.”
The opening was attended by a number of art writers, critics, fellow artists, students and friends. There was a good Columbus representation, including Mayor Teresa Tomlinson and her husband, Trip.
The opening comes as Columbus State University is preparing to open the Bo Bartlett Center in 2017. The center is being constructed as part of the university’s downtown campus and will feature gallery, archive and programming spaces. David Houston, executive director of the Bo Bartlett Center, was also at the Thursday opening.
“I hope we’ll make Columbus proud,” Bartlett said. “I can’t tell you how many people are eager to come down and see the Center when it opens. So many people who haven’t visited the South told me that they want to visit Georgia now. I couldn’t be happier.”
In 2015, the Ledger-Enquirer published a lengthy interview with Bartlett.
Chuck Williams: 706-571-8510, @chuckwilliams
This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Bo Bartlett calls New York gallery opening ‘stupendous’."