East Meets West with Opening of new Toronto Gallery

TORONTO, April 27 /CNW/ - Darrell Brown and Mila Bezpala-Brown held a private reception on Saturday, April 24th to celebrate the opening of the Bezpala Brown Gallery. The Gallery, open weekly from Tuesday through Sunday is dedicated to the North American promotion of established Eastern European artists and the development and support of emerging talent here in Canada.

For over a decade Darrell engaged in international development work in numerous countries in Southeast Asia and the former Yugoslav and Soviet Republics. While he focused on supporting economic, social and legal reforms, Mila focused on art. Her keen interest in the local art scene, her own interest in painting and her engagement in charitable activities led her to explore relationships with local artists and to use art as a medium for fund raising in support of her charitable objectives.

In 2009, Darrell and Mila returned to Canada. Ukrainian-grown artist, lawyer and business manager, Mila sought to combine her professional training with her love of art. The Bezpala Brown Gallery is the result. The numerous artist alliances developed while in Europe now form the basis of a growing partnership dedicated to developing a Toronto platform for this wealth of talent. From now until May 15, the works of Ksenia Wooster (Russia/Kazakhstan), DemarK (Dmitri Klevtsov - Russia/Tajikistan) and Kasiopeja Naumoska (Macedonia), are presented.

May 15th will mark the Gallery's official opening celebration with the introduction of acclaimed Ukrainian contemporary artist Petro Bevza. Mr. Bevza will be on hand for a reception the evening of May 15th and periodically over the following week. The reception is open to persons who register in advance by contacting the Gallery at 416-907-6875, subject to space availability.

The current exhibitors and Mr. Bevza's work can be previewed on the Gallery's website at www.bezpalabrown.com. The Gallery's location at 17 Church Street is in the heart of Old Town Toronto, just one block from the famous St. Lawrence Market. It offers nearly 1800 square feet of space facilitating a number of exhibition rooms and a studio for an artist-in-residence or to facilitate the work of guest artists.

For further information: Darrell Brown, President, [email protected]; Mila Bezpala-Brown, Director, [phone], [email protected]; Fariz Kovalchuk, Gallery Manager, [phone], [email protected]