The Bellmoore – Grand Opening from Gabriel Briano on Vimeo.

John Moore watches as business partner Deon Bell tries to stand art, literally, on its head. Photo by Terry Telford

“Studio in Winter Light” by Laura Borneman, oil on canvas. Photo by Terry Telford

Untitled mixed media collage by Melanie Wilson, collage cutout in pastels. Photo by Terry Telford

“Industrialization” by Deon Bell, oil on canvas.

“Pruning Season” by John Moore, mixed media.

By Terry Telford

Once again, taking art underground — literally and figuratively — The Bellmoore follows a tradition of downstairs art establishments. The new gallery from artists and business owners Deon Bell and John Moore celebrated its grand opening Saturday night, April 24.

No strangers to the local scene, Bell and Moore have each owned and operated multiple art spaces, most notably The Basement on 19^th Street. and J.F. Moore on Chester Avenue, which both closed in 2009.

In relation to those galleries, Moore says for this venture, “Everything is new. Except for our focus, our passion. Everything else is fresh.”

The duo have become known as patrons of outsider and emerging artists, recognized for giving newcomers a place to display their work.

As Moore puts it, “exposure brings opportunity.”

For new artists, that exposure and opportunity now comes with the prospect of exhibiting their art in an exciting venue unlike any other in Bakersfield.

The Bellmoore occupies the basement level of a large, 120-year-old building at the corner of 20^th Street and Chester Avenue downtown. With more than 7,000 square feet of space, the gallery provides a cool, cavernous environment with an aged brick interior to create the perfect complement to modern pieces. Historical artifacts unearthed during renovation grace the walls while alcove cut-outs contain sculptural displays mingled with eerie shadows.

Surprises have also been included by the owners in the form of installation art which adds equal parts whimsy and horror: A birthday celebration, complete with berry-topped cake, tucked away in a dark, empty stairwell; a figure tumbling down a spooky flight of stairs, wooden shoe mold feet stepping up to meet him.

The gallery had a soft opening on March 13 with its first exhibit, “Pruning Season,” which ended its run last week to make room for the grand opening exhibition.

Bell says the response to the gallery has been phenomenal.

“People from all walks of life have expressed nothing less than amazement,” he said.

For the new exhibit, the owners chose the theme “A Splendid Life,” which relates to appearances not always meeting reality.

“Today, no matter an individual’s personal state of being, the statement (a splendid life) isn’t in step with what’s happening in the world around us,” said Bell.

Exhibitors have explored these inconsistencies with paintings of surface-happy, pop culture icons, depictions of surreal events and abstracts filled with garish and inscrutable images.

Along with Bell and Moore, exhibiting artists include: Greg Jones, Carlos Fierros, Diane F Williamson, Haggard Long Boards and several others.

The owners are eager to point out, however, that The Bellmoore is more than just a gallery. They also build and provide frames and canvas for artists along with housing an art supply store geared toward removing vandalism and graffiti.

Says Bell, the goal of the store is to expose young vandals to the canvas.

“By giving these kids a place to express and exhibit their work, we plan on developing a positive relationship between graffiti artists and business owners. We believe that this will result in more public walls for artists to express themselves and more public murals in the downtown arts district.”

The gallery’s next call to artists is “Chicken Tar Tar,” which will emphasize the icky-factor.

“We’re not looking for shock art; that’s something different. We just want ‘eww,’” says Bell.

If you are an artist with a knack for “eww,” your opportunity may be waiting at The Bellmoore, 2001 Chester Ave., (entrance on 20^th Street). Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 1 to 7 p.m.