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Luna transforms its private event room to gallery space
4:00 am Nov 5 - by Page Roth – buzz Writer
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Cafe Luna's back room, which will be showcasing local art and local music for guests to enjoy. Photo by Brad Thorp
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With plans to transform its private event room into a gallery space, Luna is providing a unique atmosphere to showcase local artists. Situated in the old train station, Luna already houses a fine dining room, but began to develop a less formal vibe this summer with the addition of a graffiti-style mural to decorate its outside seating area.
Co-owner Raquel Aikman envisions the gallery as a casual space.
“I want to create a grunge, loungey hang-out spot,” she said. Aikman’s inspiration for this combination of white-linen dining and lounge atmosphere stems from a restaurant she frequented while living in Switzerland. Smiling at the prospect of decking out the gallery space, she said, “I love taking a room and doing it up.”
And there is no doubt that this room will have flare. When asked if she will leave the room painted the current eggplant purple, Aikman said that she most likely will. White is too “typical.” Aikman has plans for monthly art showings as well as jazz and tango nights in the finished gallery.
Local artists Matt Harsh and Ryan Fraser are organizing the first gallery show in November, which will include local artwork, video installations and DJs. Fraser, who housed his work in Luna’s gallery during the Boneyard Arts Festival, said the space accommodates a comfortable, artsy environment.
“It was definitely the most accessible show,” Fraser said. “It’s so big and open it allows for people to move around.”
Fraser said he hopes Luna’s atmosphere will draw people who want a variation from the traditionally formal art-world ambiance. He said Luna is still looking for different art forms and additional artists to participate.
“We’d like more people involved so that it’s a community thing, a coming together of the arts,” said Fraser.
Artistic members of Luna’s staff are also getting involved. Kyle Scott and Nick Foreman, who have been cooks at Luna for the last three years, will be playing with their band Take Care for the gallery show in January. Describing what he believes to be a fun-loving and hard-working atmosphere among Luna’s staff, Foreman said, “We run a jovial but tight ship.”
When asked what she is going to name the new gallery, Aikman said the staff has begun to call it the North Star Lounge. “I call it the Star Lounge, just for fun,” said Aikman. She’s thinking that decorating with glitter may be appropriate.
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