Brenda McMahon Gallery Invites Art Lovers To 2-Year Anniversary

GULFPORT, FL — When ceramic artist Brenda McMahon opened her namesake gallery on Gulfport’s Beach Boulevard two years ago, arts lovers from throughout the region descended on downtown Gulfport to view and shop at the town’s first curated gallery of fine art in several years.

As it nears its second anniversary celebration on May 7, the Brenda McMahon Gallery has established itself as one of the region’s foremost incubators of emerging artists and innovative art classes, as well as housing the works of over a dozen local, regional and national fine artists.

The Brenda McMahon Gallery will celebrate its two-year anniversary Friday, May 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. as part of Gulfport’s First Friday Art Walk, an event redesigned last year under McMahon’s leadership in her position as head of the Arts Committee for the Gulfport Merchants Chamber.

Through its featured Artist of the Month program, the gallery has introduced numerous award-winning emerging and professional artists to the Gulfport arts scene at each monthly art walk. The gallery also plans to continue its active role in social justice issues in the community, according to owner Brenda McMahon.

“Brenda McMahon Gallery is getting stronger and growing in new ways,” said McMahon on the eve of her second anniversary as a gallery owner. “The gallery is making a commitment over the next year to provide a space for 'underrepresented voices' as part of our commitment to equality and social justice.

“We are honored to welcome St. Petersburg painter Vivia Barron as our May Artist of the Month. Ms. Barron creates African American folk art, where she re-imagines our history and imparts black families into everyday paintings," McMahon said. "Often we don't realize how 'whitewashed' our history is until an artist creatively points a finger to a voice that has been missing from our artistic chorus. We are eager to share Ms. Barron's voice for the month of May."

McMahon also leads the local final arts collective ArtJones, which celebrates its fifth year in 2021. Last year, McMahon teamed with two colleagues from the group to offer A Taste of Art, another avenue for the gallery to share its creativity with the arts-loving public in the region.

“We are tapping into the inner artist of our buying public through our monthly Taste of Art workshops. By inviting visitors and arts lovers to explore and create ceramics, glass and painting, all taught by experts in their field, the gallery creates community, ignites creativity and displays how proficient the artists really are," she said.

As part of its anniversary celebration, Brenda McMahon Gallery is offering 15 percent off Friday, May 7 through Sunday, May 10.

"I'm relieved to say shoppers see a value in buying art from so many of our wonderful local artists,” said McMahon.

Regional musical favorites Gale Trippsmith & Company will be on hand to provide a collection of original and upbeat songs for the anniversary celebration.

Brenda McMahon Gallery is located at 2901 Beach Blvd. S. in downtown Gulfport and can be found online at brendamcmahongallery.com and on social media outlets @BrendaMcMahonGallery.