A Mission to Provide Meaningful Experiences with Art

Words by Sommer Brugal photo by Shelby Bella

When walking through an art gallery, some pieces stand out. They’re simply beautiful; there’s agreement among visitors. But then there’s one, maybe two pieces, that make spectators’ heads tilt to the side and wonder, ‘What is going on?’ The pieces beg the question, ‘Why is the artist creating this?’

This back-and-forth mental exercise is the meaningful experience Kevin Ivester hopes visitors feel whenever they wander through Ivester Contemporary, a fine art gallery located in Canopy he opened nearly one year ago.
That’s why the 1,600 square-foot space is divided into three parts, each with its own purpose. The main exhibition space, a “big rectangle” featuring white walls and 15-foot ceilings, is geared towards artwork visitors will want in their home. Pieces in this room spark immediate consensus about their beauty. The art here is exciting and not too exclusive.

To the left, there’s a space slightly smaller, called Project Space, which showcases artwork people don’t usually see at a gallery. The art is almost always experimental and ranges from installation pieces to black-and-white photography. The pieces in the Project Space are rarely for sale but are there to evoke a meaningful experience.

The last room is dedicated to showcasing Austin-based artists with whom he works. Through that room, Kevin strives to capture the youth and excitement found throughout the city.

Despite the spectrum of art one can find at the gallery, Kevin hopes visitors are able to focus on what each artist is attempting to communicate and less on the designs themselves. “[Now] the whole idea of making artwork with the intention of looking at art has shifted away from selling artwork and collecting artwork to, ‘I’m just going to sit with this for a moment and think,’” Kevin explains. “There is no alternative motive or goal; it’s just communication and making viewing art more accessible.”

Kevin has known for quite some time he wanted to open his own art gallery. He loves every aspect of the art gallery supply chain, from working with artists to learning about what and why they create art to assisting collectors in bringing something into their home.

So, despite a global pandemic, it made sense to jump on a space that became available in Canopy last year. He moved in July and opened the space in September 2020. Exhibits circulate every five weeks. Every so often, it’s an entirely new space and a fresh opportunity to have a meaningful experience.

Did You Know?
Also located in Canopy is Kevin’s custom picture frame shop. The space became available in September, and once again, he jumped at the opportunity. The frame shop is an important aspect of what he does, which he hopes is ultimately helping people through the arts.
When choosing art for shows, he often thinks about health and wellness. The pandemic has impacted everyone, and choosing some pieces over others can help offer some positivity for visitors. Kevin’s hope: “I want people entering the space and thinking, ‘This is awesome.’”

Contact:
(737) 209-0379
kevin@ivestercontemporary.com
ivestercontemporary.com
@ivester_contemporary