OUR STORY
Our story began with a dream. That dream is to uplift and amplify artists who may have struggled all their lives to showcase their talents to the world. Afterall, art is part of the human condition. What would we be without our ability to create? Since March 2024, Carnelian Art Gallery has made it its mission to scope out and showcase artists who seek to push the envelope with their work, whether it be a distinctive piece of pottery or a cerebral painting.
We like works that beg their onlookers to question the very fabric of society, encourage laughter, redefine the concept of what’s beautiful, and, generally, open up the mind. That’s who we are: forward-thinking and innovative. We aren’t here to box ourselves into any one art genre or discipline. So, if you’re an emerging or established artist who believes you have something to say, we want to talk to you.
In our first year of operation, we focused on artists solely from Wisconsin, but Carnelian Art Gallery has ambitions to reach regional and national talent in the coming years. We also have plans to move from two-month-long group shows into individual exhibitions and artist representation by 2026. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store on that front.
And, as Madison’s sole downtown independent art gallery, we believe it is our duty to position ourselves as a force in the local independent arts scene. What does that mean? We strive to be so much more than a gallery selling fine art. Carnelian Art Gallery seeks to be a connector, conversation-starter, community gathering space, and place that fosters learning among the public and artists, as well as a space where artists can rent studios at an affordable rate. That’s because we realize the dire need for that in the City of Madison. While we want our artists to get the bang for their buck, we also want to make art accessible to everyone.
Our growing staff currently comprises Evan Bradbury, Carnelian Art Gallery owner, curator and painter extraordinaire, and Emilie Heidemann, marketing director and closeted poet.