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Mountain View has its share of restaurants, retail and even some entertainment options on Castro Street. It now also has a dedicated art gallery – 25 West Gallery – which officially opened last week.
Amid live sitar music and light fare, visitors wandered in and out of the gallery on Aug. 7, taking in the first exhibit, which showcases the work of Iranian artist Mohsen Keiany.
Entitled “Warfare and Festivity,” Keiany’s art draws on influences of Persian miniature painting. It celebrates a distinct cultural heritage while also re-envisioning it so that it is accessible to the public, according to Mishal Junaid, the gallery founder.
“It’s a cross-section of history and modernity,” she said.
Now that the gallery is up and running, Junaid plans to have monthly exhibits featuring different artists, both local and international. She also envisions the gallery as a community space where people can take sketching and “sip and paint” classes.
“We want to provide the public with a space to not only enjoy art but participate in its dialogue and creation,” Junaid said. She added that classes would be “pay what you can” so that it is affordable for participants.
The gallery has the backing of M. Designs Architects, which was founded by Junaid’s mother and is located directly next door. Still, the vision belongs to Junaid who said that she has always wanted to share her passion for art with the community.
As a middle and high school student, Junaid attended the Khan Lab School in Mountain View and spent a lot of time exploring the city, she said. Back then, she noticed there was not much public art in the city. That has changed recently, according to Junaid. There are now some murals on downtown buildings, including the train depot, and painted bollards on Castro Street.
The gallery is her way of giving back to Mountain View, Junaid said.
It also is the only dedicated art gallery in the downtown area, according to Peter Katz, CEO and president of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. There are pop-up art spaces and a framing store on Castro Street but not a permanent art gallery until now, Katz said.
“It adds real value to the downtown,” he said.
25 West Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at 384 Castro St. in Mountain View.
