Situated along the scenic stretch of Wydown Boulevard, the First Congregational Church of St. Louis stands as a stunning historic structure surrounded by a courtyard and a playground, seamlessly blending with the elegant, affluent homes that envelop it. With its magnificent brick walls, arched stained glass windows, and intricate red doors, it isn’t the first venue one would anticipate finding an experimental art space—especially one that tackles challenging social topics. This striking juxtaposition defines The Red Gate, a gallery that features multidisciplinary creations from innovative artists throughout the St. Louis area, all within the active church that holds services every Sunday. Now entering its second year, the space is set to unveil a new exhibit, Open Window, on October 18.
“[We] initiated Red Gate to nurture community,” explains director Adrienne Outlaw, who co-founded the initiative with Sarah Moon and Elena Piston. “I realize most art spaces claim that, but for me, my primary goal is to dismantle the hierarchy prevalent in the art world and establish a platform where people can genuinely engage with one another.”
Outlaw, a sculptor who recently relocated to St. Louis, previously founded the art space Seed Space in Nashville. Inspired by the isolation experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, she envisioned The Red Gate as a solution to the pressing need for community interaction and connection. Additionally, she drew motivation from a series of articles by The New York Times opinion writer Jessica Grose that explored the factors and impacts of Americans moving away from organized religion.
“As individuals distance themselves from religious institutions, they begin to truly miss community,” Outlaw stated. “They are longing for intergenerational community—the concept of a gathering place that serves as a safe environment.” She aspires for art to serve as a bridge, transforming a church setting—a space often viewed as exclusive—into a more inviting and accessible environment for both religious and nonreligious individuals.
Outlaw aims to make experimental art more welcoming by placing it in unconventional venues. “Entering a white-box gallery-1 can be quite daunting,” she noted. “I’ve discovered that when art is presented in abandoned warehouses, old studios, churches, or personal homes, people feel much more at ease.”
Curated by Outlaw and ArtCrush founder Ben Bradshaw, Open Window invited submissions from an open call, allowing artists to explore First Congregational Church and propose their ideas for various locations within the building. The result is a rich and varied collection featuring over 30 artists, including sculptures, paintings, photography, film, music, dance, and performance art. Visitors can interact with an installation focusing on kickboxing by Mad Green, admire sculptures crafted from braided and repurposed saris by Sukayna Mani, and view an outdoor piece of vibrant green string spanning between trees by Bradshaw, among many other works on display.
A significant installation featured in Open Window is created by artist Peter Manion, comprising a series of structures made from pinewood boards. These pieces resemble building skeletons, characterized by broken sections, obstructed components, and densely overlapping elements.
“The artwork itself addresses structure and transformation. The pieces are movable, akin to blocks,” Manion shared. “There’s a playful essence to it—an intuitive aspect.” His work explores the various ways individuals navigate through life, grappling with pain, change, and personal evolution. The installation is showcased in a small chapel within the church, offering an intimate setting where viewers can closely examine the pieces while moving around them to appreciate the work from various angles.
Open Window will debut at The Red Gate located at First Congregational Church of St. Louis (6501 Wydown) on October 18, featuring a complimentary public celebration from 6 PM to 8 PM. The exhibition will continue until December 1.
“Individuals from all backgrounds come together here for the exhibits,” Outlaw remarked. “We, as a progressive religious community, can sometimes take these notions of openness for granted. Our goal for Red Gate is to foster radical acceptance and critical creative thought among everyone.”
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