The term “art gallery” often brings to mind stuffy, high-walled museums filled with unaffordable art. That’s why Little Forest Hills resident Omar Dibe is calling his new gallery an “art space” instead. “Art galleries aren’t really inviting. I want it to be friendly,” says Dibe, whom many neighbors know as the man behind the counter at Cigarz Pizza just down the road. Leonardo Art Space (named after his dog, just like Cigarz) is located on Garland Road in an area you probably wouldn’t expect to find an art gallery. But Dibe decided it was the perfect spot, especially after receiving a few leasing inquiries from the likes of insurance companies and psychics. “Do you really want another fortune teller or card reader in the neighborhood? I don’t want that,” Dibe says. “I want people to see the possibility for change in the neighborhood. Somebody just has to push for it.” The gallery currently features Dibe’s own work, but he plans to incorporate other local artists. “There are a lot of artists around here and a lot of homes with empty walls,” Dibe says. “I want to balance that out.”
For information, visit leonardoartspace.com.
