photo: courtesy of gescheidle gallery

It's quality before quantity at Susan Gescheidle's gallery in the Fulton Market gallery district. Now in her third space in five years (2002–2005 were spent in River North and 2005–mid-2007 on Peoria Street), this smaller, fluorescent-lit spot upstairs from NavtaSchulz Gallery has more of an industrial feeling than her previous galleries. Gray cement floors replace wood, and with a separate project space forged out of a closet-type enclosure (giftshop project space), a private room for viewing and a secret inventory in the back, gescheidle feels open, yet not too cavernous.

Expect to find top-notch work by young artists, especially the popular Kansas City-based artist Peregrine Honig, who creates pop and fashion-culture inspired drawings, and has work in more than a few major museum collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art. Though Gescheidle shows mostly drawings and paintings, photography, video, fiber arts and sculpture are also on hand.

While many gallerists feel that larger spaces are better overall, many smaller drawings got lost in gescheidle's last enclave. Here, small-scale pieces like Honig's get the attention that they deserve. Likewise, Chicago-based artist Darrell Morris, who works in embroidery and stitchery (sadly, a dying medium) shines in this new space. Opening parties are always a blast; both Susan and her assistant Amber are friendly and approachable and art students are never shooed away or looked down upon.

Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler