June 8, 2004
"White Space Gallery of Fine Art Open on Chapel Street"

New Haven, Conn. - Yale University Properties is delighted to welcome White Space Gallery to 1020 Chapel Street.

This retail gallery of fine art occupies the newly-restored second floor of the historic Atticus Building and showcases hand-signed, limited edition lithographs by Surrealist masters Dali, Chagall, Picasso, and Miro, as well as a diverse collection of original art by prominent living artists and sculptors. An official press conference and ribbon cutting will take place Thursday, June 10, at 4 p.m. in front of the gallery’s staircase at street-level.

White Space Gallery is the collaboration of gallery owner Michelle White and ARA Productions, a local media company. The gallery began as an internet retailer, specializing in hand-signed Dali lithographs. “By offering authentic works of art at fair prices, we were able to provide a lot of first-time collectors with truly fine art, and also expand existing collections with important additions,” White says of her online retail business. “Even over the electronic medium, we took pleasure in cultivating a personal relationship with our clients.”

In 2003, Mick Fleetwood (founding member of the legendary rock band, Fleetwood Mac) viewed the Dali collection and offered to collaborate with ARA Productions and promote their placement in fine art galleries nationwide. “That’s when we made the decision to create our own retail space,” White notes. “Being open as a gallery on Chapel Street provides a great opportunity to get to know our clients and offer them personalized service.”

While it will continue to feature lithographs by Surrealist artists, White Space Gallery will also rotate contemporary art. There are plans for six shows a year, each featuring a wide range of works by a living artist. The gallery will also host a Saturday morning lecture series this fall. Lectures will be presented by artists whose work is on display, as well as by local authors and international art appraisers. Topics will include the creation of art, interpretation, appreciation and appraisal.

White and Fleetwood share a commitment to at education, and a portion of White Space profits go to the National Endowment for the Arts. “We believe that children who are exposed to music and art and not only culturally enriched,” White says, “but also tend to have a better chance of excelling academically.”

David Newton, director of University Properties says, “White Space Gallery will add to the unique flavor of Chapel Street. Located between two of New Haven’s cultural treasures, the Yale Art Gallery and the British Art Center, as well as Chapel Street’s fine retailers, White Space has found the perfect home. We are delighted to welcome them to this vibrant district.”