Morrison Hotel Moves Into Former CBGB Gallery

On March 27, The Morrison Hotel Gallery, the world's leading purveyor of fine art music photography, will open an exhibition space at 313 Bowery, former home to the famed CBGB's Gallery. At nearly 3000 square feet, 313 Bowery will be the Morrison's largest space, over twice the size of their existing galleries in NYC's Soho neighborhood, Los Angeles, and La Jolla.

The size of the space at 313 Bowery will allow the Morrison to mount their most ambitious exhibitions to date.  "This new space will enhance our line of fine art music photography and puts us in a historical space where people can experience some very different shows than at our other locations," says Peter Blachley, co-owner of the Morrison.  While the interior of the 313 Bowery space will change with each show, the Morrison plans to maintain many original elements of the CBGB's Gallery, including the bathroom graffiti, an original wall logo stencil and a panel of show posters and hand-bills from CBGB's 10th anniversary that were buried in an inner wall.

The 313 Bowery space will open with an exhibit by acclaimed British photographer and mixed media artist Steve Joester.  Known for translating his images into inspired pop art collages, Joester chronicled British punk's first wave, as well as the London riots of 1976.  His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Creem, and Interview, and he has created album sleeves and posters for The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Blondie, The Who, AC/DC, Queen, and Andy Warhol among others.

On April 24, The Morrison will present 'Rockers' an installation by legendary New York photographer Bob Gruen, at the 313 Bowery space.  The exhibit, which drew over 50,000 visitors when it was presented in 2007 at the FAAP University Museum in Sao Paulo, Brazil, features some 270 Gruen images - from John Lennon to The Clash, Max's Kansas City to CBGB's.  The Morrison has commissioned acclaimed architect Tito Ficarelli, who designed the 'Rockers' exhibit in Brazil, to transform the 313 Bowery space as well.  The show's centerpiece will be a recreation of a punk-obsessed teenager's bedroom from the 1970s.

In June, "The Art of Motorcycles" will come roaring into 313 Bowery. This exhibit will feature the works of photographers Timothy White and Barry Feinstein, focusing on their stunning images of iconic motorcycle artists Indian Larry and Von Dutch.

The Morrison Hotel Gallery will present these shows in association with The Max's Kansas City Project, an organization dedicated to providing emergency funding and resources to financially distressed individuals in the creative and performing arts.

Founded in 2001 by former record company executive and producer Peter Blachley, former independent record store owner Rich Horowitz, and music photographer Henry Diltz, The Morrison Hotel Gallery has grown to become the major brand in fine art music photography.