Conversations with Robert Gann

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Gann.

Hi Robert, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My passion for the arts has always been a part of me, much like an olfactory sense, my visual and taste capacity for it is continuous. I graduated, first in my class, with an Art History degree from UMKC, focusing on museum and gallery studies. The path as a KC gallerist however was set by two local non-profit art organizations, the Kansas City Artist Coalition and Studios Inc.  I had volunteered for KCAC, numerous times as an art handler during their annual art auctions and fell in love with the environment.

In 2016, based on my prior experience with KCAC, I was hired as a gallery manager at Studios Inc. I was able to curate quarterly exhibitions, based on the organization’s donated collection and resident artists.  Studios Inc’s mission is to assist mid-career artists on their journey to become more established, by offering them a substantial studio space for a term of three years. The artist also gains exposure to many art professionals, organizations, and patrons.

During my four years with this company, I defined my curatorial style, networked, and became vastly familiar with the overall art scene of the area. I was promoted to Associate Director within two years.  I did however reach a growth peak within this organization and knew it was time to begin my own gallery.

Habitat Contemporary Gallery was established in March of 2020 and began exhibitions in November of that same year. This was very much at the height of the pandemic, so a risky endeavor at the start.  Extreme measures were taken to ensure that a safe cultural environment could be enjoyed.

Abiding by state and city ordinance, the organization mandated a six-foot distance, social bubbles, and wearing of masks. Kansas City, much known for its art-centric environment, had a thirst for open cultural events that were not Zoom-related.  As a result, of the measures taken, the first exhibition opening for “Wintertide”, featuring works by Jason Needham, was a huge success and received glowing published reviews.

Habitat Contemporary Gallery is a retail gallery that features a new talent for a six-week exhibition duration. The organization supports the visual arts community and is a strong advocate of LGBTQIA and BIPOC artists. Habitat Contemporary Gallery is a partnered space within the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center’s network of galleries. The gallery features work from talent at all career levels, from emerging to mid-career artists.

By focusing on art that is backed with a social conscience or disciplinary intent, the gallery has been featured in numerous regional and international publications. As the gallery prospered it experienced growth, after one year of being opened, expanding with an additional gallery space. Artists from around the globe are now soliciting for exhibitions.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path to where I am hasn’t been smooth. The pandemic defined a time in our lives when businesses were either sinking or swimming. Selling art isn’t easy at the best of times, during a pandemic the difficulty was magnified.

The arts have suffered much from the financial stress the world has undergone. A lot of “keep afloat” measures were taken. I knew when I opened the gallery it was during a time that would be critical for the organization to stay above water. I tapped resources, utilized my connections, and chose with great care the talent the gallery would host.

Please don’t have the illusion this led to sold-out exhibitions, but I was able to sell a lot of artwork and provided an environment that featured amazing talent.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am best known for the thought-provoking exhibitions the gallery hosts.

I take chances, but always with the knowledge, the artist I am featuring is extremely talented. When the work allows, I try to create immersive exhibitions where the audience can participate in some fashion with the work they see or buy. One example of this was using everyday technology, such as QR codes on the wall labels.

Gallery guests could scan these codes from their smartphone, bring up an audio file from the artist, and hear a personal narrative about the work. I did this as I noted many artists could really delve deep into the intent of their work, that a gallerist’s brief description could never duplicate.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
A gallery should be inclusive, not only of the artist they feature but to their guests. I have walked into a gallery before, and because I wasn’t bedecked in all designer wear, I didn’t feel welcomed.

My gallery creates an environment where art, culture, and community connect.  Our staff is warm and welcoming. I ask that artists include, with their works for sale, some pieces that a guest doesn’t feel intimidated to purchase or ask about the art.

Everyone should be able to appreciate art, and art should be available to purchase across a monetary scale. I value intent with the works I feature. The intent is either a thought-provoking message within the artwork or intent behind a culmination of years of disciplinary practice where the artist has fully thought about and articulated the best way to execute their work.

Contact Info:

• Email: habitatartkc@habitatcontemporary.com
• Website: https://habitatcontemporary.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/habitat_artkc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/habitatcontemporary/

Image Credits
Bailey Tann and Robert Gann