In just over two years Art Rise Savannah has brought many exciting artistic programs to the citizens of Savannah and its art community. Their award winning program, the First Friday Art March has joined together a community of businesses and artists in the burgeoning Starland Arts District, making art accessible to all. With this record of success Art Rise is excited to announce it will be expanding its connection to the community by taking on the Non-Fiction Gallery exhibition space at 1522 Bull Street.

It is here that Art Rise looks to continue Non-Fiction’s legacy of presenting contemporary art by emerging artists, both local and international, in addition to expanding the organization’s reach and impact by offering new community programing.

“Non-Fiction has built an important cultural institution in Savannah and Art Rise seeks to continue that tradition while growing the gallery’s utility by creating opportunities for a larger community to engage with arts on a meaningful level,” says Lauren Flotte, Art Rise Savannah Co-Founder and Board Secretary.

Art Rise is honored to be acquiring the Non-Fiction Gallery exhibition space from it’s previous directors, Sam Bryer, Ben Tollefson, Heather MacRae-Trulson, and Naimar Ramirez. Over the past two years these individuals built a reputation of excellence and professionalism within in the art community. Previously in the summer of 2014, Art Rise and Non-Fiction partnered on the Mobile Artist Program, successfully bringing renowned artist Marshall Carbee to Savannah for an exhibition and a series of lectures and workshops. Non-Fiction has also been a bedrock location of the First Friday Art March, presenting a wide range of artistic expression to the public.

MacRae-Trulson, an original founder of Non-Fiction and current Art Rise Savannah Board Member will continue working at the gallery as Creative Director, bringing her experience and expertise to the Art Rise team.

“It has been an honor to be involved with Non-Fiction and watch it grow in the last two years, and it will be another great pleasure to see the things that will come of this new venture with Art Rise taking on the space,” says MacRae-Trulson.

The Non-Fiction venture represents a major step for Art Rise Savannah as it matures into a more capable organization. “With the help of board member Beth Vantosh we were able to build a business plan for the exhibition space and the real estate that it exists in. The expertise that Vantosh brings to the table allowed us to make a smart choice at the right time and be confident in our ability to maximize this space for the arts in Savannah,” says Clinton Edminster, Executive Director of Art Rise Savannah.

Non-Fiction Gallery will feature an exhibition titled Goodbye, Hello! on August 7th during the First Friday Art March to celebrate the last two years of people, events and art that have made for truly memorable moments at the gallery.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Art Rise Savannah’s Opening Gala at Non-Fiction on October 16th. More information coming soon.

Art Rise Savannah will be vacating their current exhibition  location on Desoto Avenue at the end of July.