Naked Art Gallery, one of Birmingham’s most beloved art galleries, announced it will be closing its doors on May 1st, according to a blog post by Naked Art Gallery owner Véro Vanblaere.

Established more than 20 years ago, Naked Art has specialized in artist-made functional items and has been a mainstay in the Forest Park neighborhood commercial district.

A community of artists

Naked Art Gallery provided an outlet for local Birmingham artists to sell their art work. A community of more than 70 artists display and sell their artwork throughout the year. The gallery also anchors Forest Park’s popular 3rd Fridays in Forest Park. Along with special exhibits on those Thursday evenings, Naked Art invited local community groups to welcome customers and host fundraisers. Over the years, thousands of dollars have been raised for local non-profit groups including the Freshwater Land Trust to Workshops, Inc.

Closing on May 1. In the meantime celebrate!

On her blog nakedartusa.com, Véro stated that she wants to now give her full time to being an artist.

Here is an excerpt from her letter to customers:

“All this time, I was also trying to find time for my own creativity.

I feel like I have given all I had and I am now more than ready

to take my turn at being a full time artist.”

Upon the news of Naked Art Gallery’s closing in May of this year, Véro Vanblaere, told Bham Now in a phone interview:

“I’ve given a lot of my time over the past twenty years and it definitely pays back through the people you meet and friendships I’ve made. I’m a purist. I just sell art. I could have done framing or workshops, but that wasn’t my thing. I just wanted to spread the love, the love of art among people, and help artists share their work.”

She also told us, now, till May is a time to celebrate.

What’s next

According to Véro, the gallery intends to maintain for the time being its regular hours, Wednesday through Saturday. All the shows through the end of March will remain in place: “Microlove”, “Boss of Me, a show about cats” and “Yard Art”.

Don’t miss the next three shows and celebrate Naked Art Gallery by visiting this beloved place over the following three months. The house will be up for sale. Let’s hope a new art gallery or retail establishment take Naked Art’s place – and continue “building up” the Forest Park community.

Pat Byington Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.