When I opened Behn Gallery in 2020, it wasn’t an ideal time. We were mid-pandemic, the world was uncertain, and everything was pared down to essentials. But that’s exactly why it needed to happen.

I had been working as a full-time photographer for six years. Over time, I found myself moving from portraiture into more commercial work—client-focused, deadline-driven, purposeful. And I’m grateful for that work. But something was missing.

I needed a space where art could breathe again. Where I could explore ideas that weren’t shaped by a brief or an audience. Where I could return to being a student of light and form, without always needing the outcome to serve a purpose beyond presence.

Behn Gallery became that place. A studio, a gallery, and an invitation—not just to see finished pieces, but to experience the process of making. From printing to stretching canvas, from color grading to curating emotion into a final piece… there’s something deeply human about the journey art takes before it’s hung on a wall.

I’ve also found that many people are curious about art, but haven’t had the chance to build a relationship with it. They’re told art is a luxury, a whim, or something for someone else. But I believe art—real art—grounds us. It teaches us about ourselves, helps us process emotion, and reminds us of the value of beauty and thoughtfulness in daily life.

So if it’s been a while since you’ve felt connected to art, or if you’re just now starting to explore its meaning, you’re welcome here. Whether you stop by for First Friday, explore the gallery quietly, or simply follow along online… you’re invited.

We’re still here. Still creating. Still believing in the power of meaningful art.

—roben