The closure of one Valley gallery’s doors has helped open another. Alumni behind Art One Gallery, which closed in Scottsdale last summer after 32 years in business, have teamed on a Phoenix art space. When architect, artist and Art One patron Andy Byrnes learned Art One would close, he reached out to its manager Max Smith and assistant manager Rebecca Murphy with a proposition to manage a “passion project” gallery space, b-art.  

“We’re trying to set the bar very high,” Byrnes says. “We want this to be a proper fine art experience but not eliminate the approachability of it.”  

In December, the Phoenix gallery launched its partnership with the Art One Foundation, a nonprofit that has remained in operation since its parent gallery’s closure. Proceeds from artists’ sales benefit young artists via the foundation.  

We caught up with Byrnes and Smith to learn more about their history with Art One and what fine arts patrons can look forward to at b-art. 

Tell us about the closure of Art One and what led to this partnership with b-art. 

Max Smith: The gallery closed, sadly, in June, because of decreased business and not a lot of activity last year. We had a couple difficult months, and we had to make a tough call.  

Shortly after we announced it to the public, Andy reached out to us as a longtime Art One supporter and customer at the gallery. He said, “Hey, we have this new space, b-art, and we’re trying to get it going and developed. Would you be interested in taking some of the things that you’ve been working on at Art One and implementing them here?” 

Andy Byrnes: I’ve always been a big collector and always loved art. We’ve done a lot of private galleries for different people across the country. We’ve been involved with a lot of good, art-related architectural projects. And I started painting and doing some sculpture around 2020.  

We took the space, which is connected to our metal shop down in Phoenix, and created a gallery space, not having Art One in mind at the moment. We did a cool show in the spring as an opening last year, and we donated some of the money to Habitat for Humanity. As that summer went on, I got the email from Max and Rebecca that Art One was going to close, and so I reached out to them. 

I was trying to create this approachable art, where for under $10,000 you can get a unique, one-of-a-kind painting or sculpture, something to add to the architecture of your house. We went through their portfolio of artists and selected about 10. I love the fact that they’re primarily local, a lot of young folks still trying to find their way and find their fingerprint in their art. We’re trying to make it so these artists can live off their work.  

A big part of what we’re trying to keep alive is the Art One Foundation, which supports young artists. 

Smith: That, I think, is one of the biggest standout parts of the collaboration. A portion of the proceeds of the sales are going directly to the Art One Foundation to help the program we’re doing there, which is really helping young artists get materials and exhibition space. 

What’s in the works at b-art for the coming year? 

Smith: We’re still navigating what’s going to be most successful in the space. Our main goals are for it to be a space where we can host events, where we can invite the community to support what’s happening right here in Arizona and within this arts community in general. And of course, make it approachable and fun. 

How can people visit b-art and see the artists represented? 

Smith: Absolutely everything that we have available for sale and on display is on the website, organized by artist and arranged by new arrivals. It’s a really good way for people to check in on what’s new as it comes in. You can also subscribe to individual artists online, so you receive a notification when a new piece of art comes in. 

The physical location is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. We’re also open for folks to come in and walk through and see the space as well. 

You also offer consulting services and studio space. 

Byrnes: Because of my company’s connection to architecture and interior design, we can do art consultation and help people select the best pieces for their homes. We build pedestals and stands for art, we can custom frame pieces that are purchased through us, or clients’ other artworks. We also have the ability to place and help stage the art in someone’s home. 

Smith: We are under plans right now to get some individual on-site studio spaces going. That will be happening a little later down the road. 

What are your future plans for b-art? 

Byrnes: We want to increase the level of support and recognition of the foundation, and have that foundation do more for the community of art. We’d like to rent the space out for charity dinners. We’d like to do other types of events there, such as music or poetry.  

Smith: There’s a lot to come, we’re still navigating the waters. It’s a brand-new gallery and brand-new project, so we’re trying to figure out what’s going to be best for the space and try different things. 

Byrnes: We’re trying to set the bar very high. We want this to be a proper fine art experience but not eliminate the approachability of it. There is a fine line between a very highly curated art gallery and an approachable space that is fun to be at and casual enough to enjoy visiting, and someplace you can go and spend a reasonable amount of money and take home a beautiful piece of art.