The Quark Gallery @ TechTown is hosting a free opening reception for its inaugural exhibition, Re-Discovery, on Friday, June 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., coinciding with TechTown’s monthly First Friday event from 4 to 6 p.m. down the street at NextEnergy.

Quark is an uncommon gallery that spotlights the compelling relationship between art and contemporary society through exhibitions and public programs.

“The Quark gallery is an opportunity for TechTown to showcase some of the really creative energy going on in the city,” said TechTown Arts Advisor Marion Jackson. “The idea for the gallery is to have a public ‘front door’ where the community can interact with artists. It’s an emblem of TechTown’s commitment to entrepreneurs in the creative sector, not just technology. The gallery is inclusive, not exclusive, and will show excellent art in many mediums and traditions.”

Painting by Donald Calloway, Jr.

Works by artist Donald Calloway, Jr. will be featured in this free exhibition running from June 3 through July 8, 2011. Calloway is a multi-media artist and teacher from Detroit and an active force in the city’s art scene.

“Calloway is recognized for his masterful use of pastels, oils, watercolors, sticks, stones, spoons, forks, and anything else you can think of,” said Gallery Director Sharon Harrell. “He tells authentic and vibrant stories of love, life and growth that everyone can relate to. In his current body of work, Re-Discovery, he returns to places once visited to remind us all of our forgotten humanity.”

Listen to an interview with Harrell on WDIV about the gallery opening.

The gallery is at 6161 Woodward Avenue in Detroit at the corner of Woodward and Amsterdam. Gallery hours are by appointment; call (313) 286-9808 or write to ds7895@wayne.edu to schedule an appointment.

As an alternative art space, Quark provides innovative artists with opportunities to present and exhibit new work. The gallery identifies, supports and presents emerging and under-recognized artists who are making significant contributions to the field of art and also serves as a safe space for mid-career artists to make transitions and take creative risks.