Barry University to open new Andy Gato art gallery Sept. 24

MIAMI SHORES, Florida — Barry University announces the opening of its new contemporary Andy Gato Gallery, which will be open from Sept. 24 – Nov. 21 for its Premiere Exhibition.

A special opening reception will take place on Fri., Sept. 26, from 7 - 10 p.m. inside the gallery located on the second floor of Thompson Hall. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

The 4,100 square-foot gallery is named in honor of Andy Gato, who was co-owner of Farrey’s Lighting and first got involved with the university two years ago when he helped the Theology Department with a lighting production for an exhibition. Gato passed away unexpectedly two years ago after helping out with that exhibit.

The Andy Gato Gallery features approximately 350-linear feet of exhibition space with 12-foot high walls. The Department of Student Affairs furnished part of the gallery that will also serve as a student lounge area with around-the-clock access. Costing more than $80,000 to renovate, Donor Andy Gonzalez guaranteed all construction would be taken care of including the flooring, drywall and electric work, which was donated by e-Tech. The lighting equipment was donated by Farrey’s Lighting. The Fine Arts department purchased peripherals such as audio visual equipment, pedestals, and video surveillance.

“The creation of the Andy Gato Gallery at Barry University is a tremendous milestone for both the Barry community and the Department of Fine Arts,” said Silvia Lizama, chair of the Department of Fine Arts. “This state of the art exhibition space and lecture hall created to honor the life of a great man will be enjoyed by many for years to come.”

Elsie Miranda, assistant professor of Theology and a friend of Gato’s, spearheaded a fundraising event in Dec. 2007 in tribute to Gato and to help raise funds for the gallery. The money helped renovate the space, previously used as an old dining hall, into a state-of-the-art gallery and lecture facility for the Fine Arts department.

The premier of the exhibition will house art that reflects the long history of Barry University’s visual art programs by including the work of present and former faculty members as well as graduate and undergraduate alumni.

During the Exhibition, the gallery’s hours of operation will be 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon. - Fri., and 12 – 5 p.m. on Sat.

For more information, contact Barry University’s Fine Arts Department at 305-899-3420.