440 Gallery proudly announces their 20th anniversary show. Founded by Nancy Lunsford and Shanee Epstein in 2005, 440 was established to maintain the highest standards of artistic excellence in an inclusive, collaborative, and nurturing environment. Over the years, a roster of 43 member artists have run the community-driven gallery, keeping the original mission alive.

440 Gallery was inspired by an earlier community of artists who met weekly at Lunsford’s studio to sketch from a model. One of the artists suggested that her studio, a storefront in the neighborhood, would make a nice space for a pop-up show. They called it The Third Street Sketch Group. The opening was beyond successful, with every artist selling work.

Epstein and Lunsford, already great art buddies, agreed that art had to be seen, not just shelved. They took advantage of the new space to create a new artist community to run the gallery. Ten artists were needed to cover the costs. Soon they had their first of many solo shows, Lunsford’s Reclaiming Red. The gallery was born.

Lunsford and Epstein created a professional exhibition space for artists by artists. The selection process has been guided by a simple yet powerful philosophy: the art must speak for itself, but artists’ integrity and kindness are equally important for growing, challenging one another, and thriving. 440 Gallery became more than a gallery: a family of artists who support one another in their growth while remaining grounded in the shared pursuit of artistic excellence.

EXHIBITING ARTISTS:
James Acevedo, Jo-Ann Acey, Richard Barnet, Vicki Behm, Fred Bendheim, Leigh Blanchard, Thomas Bovo, Amanda Michele Brown, Ellen Chuse, Richard Eagan, Shanee Epstein, Gail Flanery, Karen Gibbons, Susan Greenstein, Nancy Lunsford, Joy Makon, Juliet Martin, Daniel McDonald, Caitlin Miller, Catherine Orrok, Janet Pedersen, Robin Roi, K Sarrantonio, David Stock, Tricia Townes, Amy Weil, Amy Williams, Ella Yang.