THE ART OF TRANSFORMATION

dk Gallery helped lay the groundwork for Marietta’s thriving arts community

by LESLIE J. THOMPSON

Elizabeth Chapman, Flourish, acrylic on canvas, 51″ x 51″

The site of a major battle during the Civil War and later a hub for aircraft manufacturing, the quaint Southern town of Marietta was an unlikely location to open an art gallery 16 years ago. But Donna Krueger had a vision. With a background in marketing and brand management, the former ad agency account executive believed the picturesque Atlanta suburb could become a vibrant destination for art lovers and a place where creatives flourish.

“There was an art deco theater that had been dark for 40 years, and a community coalition had raised money to renovate it,” recalls Krueger of a campaign to revitalize the city’s historic town square. “That gave me hope that art could be possible here.”

Although America was in a recession in 2008, Krueger secured a storefront in a century-old building on The Marietta Square to bring her dream of opening dk Gallery to life. “The historic square is charming, but there wasn’t much going on with the arts,” says Krueger, who co-owns the contemporary fine art gallery with her husband, Kerry. “Our building is from 1895. It was a cigar store; it was a jewelry store and a photography store. When we took it over, it was an antiques store.” After renovations, the space was transformed into a welcoming white-walled gallery with exposed brick details, and the outpouring of support from the community helped put Marietta on the map for art lovers.

Today, dk Gallery is a trendsetter among Metro Atlanta art retailers, having grown its roster from a dozen Southern artists to more than 50 painters, sculptors, glassblowers and mixed-media creators from across the country.

Ginger Oglesby, A Gentle Glance, acrylic on canvas, 36″ x 48″

“We have a breadth of styles, but they all have to work well together and speak to one another,” says Krueger, a Chicago native who moved to Georgia with her husband in 1987. Her goal with dk Gallery is to make fine art accessible to residents, tourists and collectors so they can share the joy of discovery. “I don’t sell art; I invite people to experience it,” Krueger says. “The art determines who it is going to live with.”

Much of dk Gallery’s success stems from its ever-changing exhibitions, which keep regular patrons coming back for more. “We do a completely different show every month, and we have for 16 years,” says Krueger.

In addition to showcasing the works of several artists at once, the themed events often provide opportunities to collaborate with local nonprofits and community organizations. As part of the BLOOM exhibit this May, for example, floral artists from area garden clubs created beautiful arrangements inspired by the paintings on display. The inventive bouquets were raffled off during an open house at the gallery to raise funds for the Marietta Educational Garden Center.

This July, dk Gallery is hosting Little Things, its first exhibit of miniature paintings for $500 or less. “Every piece will be small, but we’re going to hang them gallery style,” Krueger explains, adding that the show is the brainchild of gallery manager Krista Moase. The following month, painter Steve Dininno from New York, Puerto Rican-born illustrator Alberto Mier, Chicago-based artist Adam Thomas, local painter Jeff Surace, and wood sculptor Jeff Mead all will be highlighted at the Boyz of dk Gallery exhibition. Art lovers also can visit the gallery’s installation at the Atlanta Botanical Garden through September 15, 2024.

Catie Radney, Beyond the Clouds, acrylic on canvas, 48″ x 60″

“Our October show is going to be called The Art of Healing,” says Krueger. The exhibit will feature several gallery artists living with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The exhibition will be in conjunction with the Georgia Hospice and Palliative Care Organization to bring attention to the positive impact of art in the journey to healing. The show will highlight the work of Atlanta-based abstract painter Wyanne Thompson, along with featured artists Amy Cobb, Holly Irwin, Connie Karleta-Sales and Catie Radney.

The monthly shows have made dk Gallery’s street-level storefront a magnet for visitors to Marietta’s bustling town square, but the historic building overlooking Glover Park also houses two hidden gems. “The space was so full of junk when we moved in, there was literally a staircase we didn’t know about,” recalls Krueger with a laugh. The new owners discovered two lower levels, which since have been converted into additional gallery space. The Little Art Lounge is filled from floor to ceiling with small art pieces, while The Vault is a speakeasy-style venue that features work from artists who are not part of that month’s main exhibition. “There’s always something new, and people know they’ll have a whole other gallery experience downstairs,” Krueger says.

The gallery also has teamed with its established artists to create immersive experiences for corporate clients, including several large-scale installations around greater Metro Atlanta. Most recently, painters Jeff Surace, Adam Thomas and Elizabeth Chapman brought the mission and vision of Cobb EMC to life at the electric utility company’s newly renovated executive floor.

Holly Irwin, Merci, oil on canvas, 48″ x 36″

“Art can bring joy, but it also helps us express our values and inspires us to think creatively. So, placing the right art in an executive space is very important,” says Kristen Delaney, vice president of marketing and corporate communications for Cobb EMC. For one of the featured murals, Surace used contrasting wavelengths with different peaks and valleys to abstractly show a landscape and incorporated bright colors and textures to convey the concept of energy.

“The goal for this project was to communicate how Cobb EMC was able to provide not just power but a progressive understanding of renewable energy sources through their seven core principles,” the artist notes. “This is portrayed through the circles that represent solar sunflowers.” The lines, or “stems,” that connect the circles represent the company’s connection to its customers, and each one features a core principle of the business.

“We are incredibly fortunate that our area is filled with so many amazingly talented artists. It’s an honor to be able to showcase their work,” adds Delaney.

Krista Moase, Kerry Krueger, Donna Krueger; PHOTO BY HADLEY(S) PHOTOGRAPHY

Not one to rest on her laurels, Donna Krueger continues to expand her vision for dk Gallery, looking for more opportunities to connect people with art in its many forms. “As we build our stable, we always ask, ‘What’s next? How can we continue to evolve as a gallery that has something unique to explore?’” she says.

Most recently, dk Gallery added guest artist Meg Aubrey, a professor at Savannah College of Art and Design/Atlanta, whose paintings examine themes of isolation in suburbia. “Her work pulls you in. There’s some sass, but it’s beautiful,” muses Krueger. “It brings the realism style we have not previously explored, and that is exciting. The aesthetic here is about beauty and an emotional connection to the work.” *

Leslie J. Thompson is a Dallas-based freelance writer with a passion for interior design and international travel. Read more of her work at lesliejthompson.com.

More Information

dk GALLERY

25 W. PARK SQUARE NE

MARIETTA, GA 30060

770.427.5377