C4W:2022 Pinky Promise curated by Jamie Owens, Featuring 28 Local, National & International Artists at Gamut Gallery

Gamut Gallery's annual Call-4-Work exhibition is a chance for artists to push against preconceived norms of what art "should" be. All media is accepted for submission, artists of all levels are encouraged to submit, and there is never a predetermined theme for the exhibit. After reviewing the body of submitted works, each year's chosen guest curator is free to hand-select a group of pieces that showcase the complete "Gamut" of visual mediums. The resulting exhibit makes for a memorable, one-of-a-kind event the space is thrilled to host each fall. With guest curator Jamie Owens behind the wheel, Gamut Gallery's 2022 C4W exhibition, Pinky Promise, is an enthusiastic and unexpected portrayal of emerging, established, and outsider artists across North America and Mexico.

Jamie OwensJamie is a multi-disciplinary studio artist, preparator, designer, and curator living and working in Minneapolis. Having graduated with a bachelor's degree in design from MCAD in 2014, his art has gained an international audience of collectors. After being exhibited in New York City, Germany, the San Diego Museum of Art & History, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Jamie has widened his focus to include curatorial work. He notably curated “Cracked Pavement: Twin Cities Skateboarding Then & Now” (2018) at Gamut Gallery, and “Selections” (2019) at Revere Auctions.

"Art is this rare space where contemplation and play are intertwined, but as an artist myself, I've fallen into the camp of serious art making, and feel like my personal practice suffered for it.” With this in mind, the imagery Jamie has chosen approaches adult topics of identity and mental health, but with the spirit of freedom felt in the final days of summer. Pinky Promise is an unapologetically juvenile exhibition featuring a mashup of ideas and mediums through a youthful lens.

Gamut is delighted to announce that of the 28 artists chosen to participate in this year's event, more than two-thirds are displaying work with them for the first time:

Analeise Jarvi-Beamer, Ash Hagerstrand, Ashley Ray, Brian Nagel, Christopher Alday, Christopheraaron Deanes, Constance Klippen, Daniel Allyn Lee, Derek Meier, Desirée Forgét, Emily Quandahl, Emma Beatrez, Erin Peña, Gary Stewart, Jake Zirbes, Jeremy Jones, Jesse Quam, Jordan Shepherd, Luis David Moran, Mara Glover, Merick Reed, Nick Knutson, Odam Art, Richard Wehrs, Tara Robinson, Tina Ford, Tony Kukich, Xiao Faria daCunha 

Their art helps make up the final 32 pieces that will recast the gallery as a play-place for fearless experimentation within painting, illustration, sculpture, and digital media. Varying shades of pinks, greens, blues, and purples wildly ricochet off each other,  embracing visitors with the playful and sentimental energy of Pinky Promise. While this event is undoubtedly a party in itself, opening night attendees are invited to come for the art and stay for music held in the courtyard!

EXHIBIT OPENING - Friday, September 9th / 6 - 9 PM
•$7 pre-sale available, $10 day of event
• Free admission for members
• Featuring DJ Superbrush
• Curated by Jamie Owens

Returning this year, there will be two “Best in Show” awards. One will be selected by the guest curator and the other by opening night attendees. Both winners will be awarded $100 cash and Platinum Memberships to Gamut Gallery ($300 value). You will not want to miss the opportunity to help one of these artists take best in show. Mark your calendars for opening night!

C4W:2022 ART TALK - Wednesday, September 21st / 6:30PM
• $5 pre-sales, $7 day of event
• Free admission for members

Curator Jamie Owens and Moderator Juleana Enright sit down for a conversation with three selected C4W artists Christopheraaron Deanes, Emily Quandahl and Jeremy Jones.

Christopheraaron DeanesChristopheraaron’s work contextualizes the building of creative social capital in humanity to illuminate the journey of benevolence. After graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with his BFA, Christopheraaron went on to obtain his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Education from the University of St. Thomas. He later completed the Administrative (Eds) program at St. Mary’s University and a fellowship through the University of Minnesota, Urban Educators Program. He currently, works as a Culture and Climate Coordinator in Fridley Public schools. Christopheaaron’s work squarely focuses on the development of the chance to have a critical conversation about race and everyone’s role that we place in securing the future for a better more empathetic and equitable space for us.

Emily QuandahlEmily Quandahl is an abstract artist and muralist based in Minneapolis. Her studio work is created in layers by experimenting with techniques and mediums, starting on the floor with a base of diluted acrylics and building from there. With over 12 years devoted to studying classical viola, her compositions are inherently musical in their movements, while maintaining a balance between organic gestures and line-work, united by use of color. 

Jeremy JonesJeremy Jones is originally from Casper, WY and received a BFA in ceramics and sculpture from the University of Wyoming in 2006 and an MFA in sculpture from Wichita State University in 2012. He creates toy-like sculptures and assemblages that seek to enshrine the everyday moments of child rearing/parenthood. Jones has exhibited his work throughout the greater United States with notable spaces including: Space 204 at Vanderbilt University, The Nicolaysen Art Museum and the Macy Gallery at Columbia University. Jones currently lives and works in the Twin Cities.

Juleana EnrightJuleana Enright is an Indigenous, queer, non-binary writer, curator, and DJ living in Minneapolis. They are a member of the Sicangu Lakota Tribe of Lower Brulé. Their past roles have included culture editor for l’étoile magazine and communications specialist for Gamut Gallery. They have contributed writing to Pride Magazine, mplsart.com, Primer, and City Pages. Juleana has curated two art exhibitions, including their own solo show in the spring of 2018, titled “Soft Boundaries.” Juleana is the co-founder of the multi-sensory queer dance and performance night, Feelsworldwide. In 2019, Juleana co-directed Lightning Rod, a week-long works-in-process theatre initiative. In 2020, they were a participating artist in Controlled Burn. They are the recipient of the Emerging Curators Institute 2020 fellowship.

CoLab ART NIGHT - Wednesday, October 5th / 7 – 10PM

All skill-levels are welcome! Bring your own materials or work from those we provide, and join us for another wholesome night of making art with friends! All visual disciplines are welcome: painting, drawing, sewing, projections, photography, design, sculpture, collage, and more. Work together, collaborate, or work solo!
• $10 pre-sale, $10 day of the event
• 18+
• Limited Capacity Event

Follow Gamut on Facebook and Instagram for further details and information regarding the event.