New art gallery coming to Carrboro

Carrboro's reputation as an arts-heavy small town will get a boost in August when photographer Jesse Kalisher opens a new gallery at 209 E. Main Street, across from The ArtsCenter.

Kalisher's photographs are included in the permanent collections of musuems including the Fine Arts Museum of Houston, the DeYoung Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and the Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill. Limited edition prints of his works start at $1,500, but Kalisher said he believes "everyone should have access to affordable art," and his gallery will sell reproductions starting at $20.

The first exhibit at the Jesse Kalisher Gallery will feature selections from his "Art Watching" series, including "Mona Lisa at the Mona Lisa." The gallery will also show a selection of international images from cities including Venice, Paris, San Francisco and New York.

Jon Wilner, executive director of The ArtsCenter, said the addition of Kalisher and his gallery will be a welcome addition to the town's arts community. "His success in town will pave the way for more art galleries," Wilner said. "And more galleries means more people downtown, shopping in our stores and eating in our restaurants."

The Jesse Kalisher Gallery will open on Aug. 8, coinciding with that month's 2nd Friday ArtWalk, the popular monthly event in which participating galleries and other arts venues in Carrboro and Chapel Hill stay open late and often feature music and refreshments. He and his wife Helen and the gallery staff will be on hand for the opening from 6 to 9 p.m., with food catered by the Open Eye Cafe.