Launch of CoLAB Projects: ‘Part Collaboration, Part Laboratory’

New Orleans, LA, July 06, 2009 --(PR.com)-- CoLAB Projects (www.colabprojects.com) is a natural outgrowth from the international group exhibition program featuring emerging artists + designers that directors Melissa Roberts and Kurt Schlough began in January 2008 under the name BECA gallery. That group exhibition program is now pursuing an expansion under The BECA Foundation and you are encouraged to visit The BECA Foundation website at www.thebecafoundation.org for further information. Beginning on July 4th, BECA gallery will be run exclusively online at www.becagallery.com where new works of art and design created by some of the most talented and innovative emerging artists and designers from around the world are introduced weekly. All profits generated from www.becagallery.com are donated to The BECA Foundation to assist in the growth of the exhibition program and the development of the BECA Artspace for emerging artists and designers.

Beginning July 6, 2009, CoLAB Projects will begin transitioning into the former BECA gallery space located at 527 St. Joseph Street across from the Contemporary Arts Center in the heart of the New Orleans Warehouse Arts District, serving curators and private, institutional and corporate collectors. The growing CoLAB artist roster includes a very diverse group of artists with each artist holding the common thread of producing strong, engaging, innovative and challenging works. Roberts and Schlough are deeply passionate about the work that these artists are creating and look forward to sharing that passion with art enthusiasts, curators and collectors from around the world.

CoLAB Projects has launched with the representation of artists Jessica Goldfinch, S.J. Hart and Ann Schwab.

About the Directors:
Melissa Roberts and Kurt Schlough have partnered their diverse backgrounds as artists, collectors, designers and gallerists to create a collection of unique gallery services benefiting curators and private, institutional and corporate collectors alike. With an academic background in fine arts and interior architecture, Kurt Schlough has been a nationally exhibiting sculptor and painter for 14 years while simultaneously serving as the Vice President of Design and lead project manager at an award-winning New Orleans architectural firm. Melissa Roberts is both an artist and activist with an academic background in fine arts, biology and communications who creates work in a variety of mediums including sculpture, installation, textiles, and digital art. She also has a professional design background in graphic arts and textile design and has exhibited her works both nationally and internationally. In addition, she has over 15 years of experience in management and project administration. Together they work with each of their clients to add enrichment and value to both existing and new, developing collections. Both Schlough and Roberts have curated numerous gallery group and solo exhibitions and provide ongoing art consultation services specializing in emerging contemporary art and design.

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