Perched in a massive loft apartment two stories above Santa Fe Boulevard, I sit on a couch and watch as The Union, the freshest new art gallery in the district, begins to bloom.

An engrossing amalgam of urban art and culture, The Union brings something to the First Friday art scene that was sorely missed—soul. Resident and curator Kevin Carroll sits next to me, on the phone with the members of the graffiti art syndicate “SWS,” whose work will be on display at the gallery during October’s First Friday art walk.

“When I first made the decision to display art here on First Fridays, I wanted people to really feel like they were coming over to have fun and check out some great underground art,” Carroll says as he hangs up. “Studios tend to be way too stuffy for me now. With The Union, I’m going for a more inviting, even participatory, sort of feel. I want to bring back the original spirit of the Santa Fe art walk. We are doing live art and music now, and eventually want to move into dance and other forms of interactive creation.”

You might wake up the next day covered in paint, but if you were able to create and collaborate and make memories, then it was obviously well worth it.

Carroll’s sentiments are certainly echoed within our setting. The walls are adorned with colorful murals and intricate tags from past First Fridays. Carroll’s roommate and fellow Union member John Heenan sits at his desk working on a video collage to be displayed during a show at Cervantes. Friend and Union member Andrew Angle stands over an elaborate DJ setup adjusting EQs and checking levels. Other friends and neighbors saunter in and out, carrying an occasional guitar or mic stand.

The Union is no misnomer. This place truly is a union of ideas, inspirations, creations and energies. And, while it is in “apartment mode” right now, the casual atmosphere doesn’t waver on First Fridays when it enters “gallery mode.”

“While we like to feature specific artists and crews, the communal vibe can take over and before you know it random people are painting and writing all over the place,” Carroll tells me, laughing. “And you might wake up the next day covered in paint, but if you were able to create and collaborate and make memories, then it was obviously well worth it.”

Surely some will frown upon this new face in the scene. Let them. Throughout history, progressive trends in art and culture have stirred controversy within the scope of the community at large. And no, Carroll does not have a PhD in art history. But he is passionate about the fusion of urban art, music, and ideology. And this fact is as clear as glass whenever he talks about anything Union-related.

“We’re booking some serious talent and the work that results from the live art aspect is really special. The rush for the artist—being in front of a crowd of people, with live music being mixed and crazy energy bouncing around—definitely reflects in the pieces that are created.”

The Zen flair of the pieces on the wall attests to his words. And although the art that lines his walls (and the new art that takes its place each month) is not exclusively done live, there is an element of surprise here than cannot be found anywhere else on the Boulevard. From its humble beginnings just months ago, The Union is beginning to take root and blossom into one of the finest galleries on the First Friday art walk.

As previously mentioned, this month’s installment will feature graffiti art installations from SWS. There will also be a release party for Illiterate magazine afterwards, during which live art will be going down on the back patio. Libations will be plentiful, with wine and kegs of Great Divide beer provided.

It is the place to be on First Fridays. ‘Nuff said.

Photos courtesy of  Brandi Shigley

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