Jordan Ahlers is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a 21,000 square foot building in the heart of downtown Asheville, located at 52 Broadway, for the permanent home of his newest venture, Momentum Gallery. Momentum initially opened at 24 N Lexington Avenue and will remain in that location as well as on Broadway through the end of 2018. Momentum’s early success came as a direct result of the relationships he developed as a fourth generation Ashevillian and local art insider for two decades.
Momentum Gallery opened at 24 N Lexington Avenue in October 2017, Photo Credit: Laurie Johnson
Momentum Gallery opened in October 2017 and immediately took the art world by storm. Within its first 4 months, Momentum attended three international art fairs, acquiring clients from across the United States and placing artwork worldwide. Owner/Director Jordan Ahlers has credited his excellent staff for supporting him in building a reputation for Momentum Gallery as a world class gallery in the tiny town of Asheville. Tourists and locals alike often can be overheard discussing how much Momentum Gallery has improved the local arts scene and raised the bar for galleries within the region. Karen Groce, Art Consultant at Momentum Gallery, recently commented “the most frequent compliment we hear is ‘this gallery doesn’t look anything like other Asheville galleries. The quality is more in line with New York City.’”
Shifra Ahlers, Business Manager, attributes all the praise to her husband, Jordan, who has been an often sought after opinion on the fine arts. Shifra continues, “Jordan opened Momentum with a combination of artists whose careers he had been deeply committed to for many years as well as some emerging artists that are just beginning to earn recognition and other more established artists that are new to showing in Asheville. I am so proud of who he is and what he has accomplished – but I am just thrilled for the future of our artists, our gallery, our family, and our community. Jordan has been a workhorse for the development of the fine arts community here in Asheville and I am honored to help him fulfill his vision and commitment.”
We asked one of Momentum’s clients what was different about this gallery. Susan’s response included “Jordan. Everybody loves Jordan. He helped educate me for the past ten or so years. His eye is extraordinary. He gets me. Of course, he has the best artists in the region at Momentum but I also love how he has integrated new artists from around the country. In particular, I am happy to have the exposure to artists who he thinks are worthy of showing in his space. I already bought multiple pieces from people who I had never heard of before Momentum opened. And I love them.”
Jordan and his represented artist partners, Oct 2017, Credit: Laurie Johnson
Mariella Bisson, a landscape painter that had previously never shown her work in the south, spoke enthusiastically about her relationship with Momentum Gallery, offering that she has been a professional artist for many years with a lot of success but has never sold multiple large paintings through a gallery in her first few weeks with them. “I show my work in top galleries across the country and I am thrilled to be represented now by Jordan Ahlers in Asheville. My paintings are about the force and beauty of nature. Jordan has a finely-honed sense for choosing artwork to energize interiors large and small, balancing art, architecture and the outdoor landscape. When I am planning a painting for Momentum, it has to be the best, most ambitious work I can make, because everything about this gallery is on the highest level. There is a unique bond between artist and gallerist. It must transcend business into realms of friendship. We have to share trust and mutual creative growth. The professionalism and kindness that imbues Momentum Gallery inspires my practice.”
Jordan Ahlers knew from a young age he would have a career in the arts. Though he was a part of the gifted program in elementary and middle school, his creativity and talent propelled him to an art magnet high school during which time he also began working at the renowned J.B. Speed Art Museum. He continued on to the lofty Kansas City Art Institute with a scholarship, where he developed talent in multiple forms of media. He acquired an affinity for glass and began representing artists nationwide as a means of generating extra income. By the time he began working at a gallery in Florida in the mid 1990s, he was quickly promoted to gallery director within a year. He developed an eye for what was both interesting and marketable. He further honed his craft during an 18 year tenure at Blue Spiral, a large southeastern craft gallery in western North Carolina. He easily developed relationships with artists and clients who appreciated his kindness and candor. His intuitive aesthetic became so refined that he became an advisor to corporate and individual clients on a daily basis. He became invaluable in the world of art and design. Upon opening a gallery of his own, Jordan reflected, “it was always part of my plan. My former boss and I had discussed it for years. I am creating my destiny. I am fulfilling the vision that I have held for the last decade and it feels awesome to have such support from my partners, my family, my artists, my clients, my community, and the larger art world. I am grateful.”
Ann and John Campbell are partners with Jordan Ahlers in Momentum Gallery, Credit: Laurie Johnson
For additional coverage regarding Momentum's big news, check out the following:
Asheville Citizen-Times
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/04/20/historic-52-broadway-longtime-asheville-nc-retail-building-sold-4-75-m/536586002/
Mountain Xpress
https://mountainx.com/blogwire/52-broadway-building-changes-hands-to-host-momentum-gallery/
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Comments
Jordan, I am so happy for you and your family. You deserve the very best. I have always admired your talent, and now I fully see, as well your guts and stamina. A model individual! Asheville needs you.