As Roots Up Gallery mourns the loss of founder and owner Francis Allen, his wife and gallery owner, Leslie Lovell, announces that Roots Up Gallery will be moving this month to the Design District.  “Not to fear,” Lovell says, “this move will honor and ensure that Francis’ legacy in the Savannah arts community will be felt for years to come.”

Roots Up Gallery will be moving from its current location at 6 E Liberty Street across from The DeSoto to the Design District on Whitaker Street.  The new location will be directly behind James Hogan and across Jones Lane from the Circa Lighting Annex. The last day in its current location will be on September 16th, and the doors of the new location will open on Wednesday, September 27th.

The new Roots Up Gallery space, located at 412-C Whitaker St. @ W. Jones Ln., will provide easier street level access, a more open space to showcase artist’s work and exhibitions, and features a 40 foot long gallery wall that will be a focal point of the gallery.

Weather permitting, due to Hurricane Irma, we will have a ‘Moving Sale’ in the current location September 13-16.  

“I’m so excited for the new space,” says Leslie Lovell, gallery owner.  “This location will allow us to showcase larger collections by our artists.” The gallery also plans to expand its offerings of Southern Folk Art, local artist, handmade jewelry and pottery, and other unique finds with increased product vignettes and exhibition schedules.

“We haven’t moved yet, and we’re planning our grand opening which we’ll be announcing later!  We have several collections and exhibitions that we’ve not had space to present, and now we do!” adds Russell Kueker, gallery curator.  “We would like to thank all of our artists and patrons for being a part of Roots Up Gallery here on Liberty Street for the past several years, and to many more at our new location.”

Weather permitting, Roots Up Gallery invites artists and friends of the gallery to a memorial service for Francis Allen, conducted by Father Michael Chaney, at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St. A reception and celebration of life will follow at The American Legion on Bull Street.