What does it take to open an independent art gallery? For New Haven photographer and curator Kim Weston, the answer includes five years of planning, a commitment to making art more accessible and a belief that the next generation of artists deserves a place to be seen.
The result is Wábi Gallery, a new contemporary art space at 126 Court Street in Ninth Square.
Wábi, which means “to see” in Algonquin, is built around a simple idea: art should be something people can experience, participate in and learn from. Weston’s vision brings together exhibitions by Connecticut-based and emerging national artists, educational programming and opportunities for creatives whose work might otherwise go unseen.
That commitment has been part of Wábi from the beginning. Before the gallery opened its doors, Weston launched the FOCUS Fellowship, a photography mentorship program for teenagers ages 14–19. Inspired by her own introduction to photography at a community arts center in Queens, the program helps young artists develop their skills, build portfolios and understand what it takes to pursue a creative career. Now, visitors can experience that larger vision in person.
The gallery’s opening exhibition, Grounded, brings together artists Nona Faustine, Inkpa Mani and Yves François Wilson, with Moshopefoluwa Olagunju as curator. Through their distinct artistic practices, the exhibition explores relationships with land, memory and identity, inviting visitors to consider what it means to feel connected to a place. It’s an introduction to a gallery whose mission is as much about creating space for artists as it is about presenting their work.
Wábi Gallery is located at 126 Court Street, G2. Visit Saturday or Sunday from 11 AM–5 PM, and catch Grounded before it closes November 20.
Photo courtesy of Wábi Gallery website, featuring photography by artist, Nona Faustine
