While most neighborhood galleries rely on one vision to determine the voice of a particular art space, Roots & Culture owner Eric May is on a mission to buck this trend. While May organizes a number of the gallery's shows, he is also working with a long list of guest curators to bring multiple artistic perspectives to the table.

Open since November 2006 as a multi-disciplinary, non-profit arts organization—encompassing film to sculpture—the gallery welcomes local artists and contemporary art enthusiasts to linger longer than the usual gallery visit and engage in a dialogue about the art on display. In addition to hosting exhibitions, Roots & Culture aims to foster a sense of community by offering studio space, brunches, film events, lectures and more. Housed in a converted real estate office, it's everything a small gallery aspires to be: It's small enough to be intimate, yet large enough to feel airy and open. Exposed brick and air ducts give it a loft-apartment feel–which it is, doubling as May's home–but the stark, white walls remind you that you're in a gallery setting.

The place is about as inviting and accessible as a gallery gets: On off hours, May's cats greet visitors at the door. Price lists are simply printed on white typing paper, and the works are numbered in pencil on the wall. Mounting techniques vary; the gallery's inaugural show featured work that was simply taped or tacked to the wall. Basically, the art is allowed to speak for itself without any pretension or superficial boundaries getting in the way.

Centerstage Reviewer: Sarah Dahnke