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Charles and Edna Reinike

We moved our gallery to Atlanta in 1987 so we are one of the older fine arts galleries here. In fact, if you counted our beginnings in New Orleans, we would be the oldest gallery in Atlanta.

Charles and Edna Reinike Our mission involves educating collectors to appreciate all forms of art - particularly contemporary art. We promote the careers of a small group of artists since we prefer to show the depth and range of each individual artist.

We do not aspire to be the largest gallery in Atlanta since it is part of our mission to encourage the dialogue between the artists we show and the people who view their works. We want to make art accessible to all who are interested.

We host groups from the High Museum guilds, Oglethorpe, Emory, the Spruill Art Center and other arts organizations. When they visit the gallery, we discuss and exchange ideas on various aspects of contemporary fine art. We also encourage them to visit the back to see a working studio and the process that is involved with turning an idea into an artwork.

When other artists visit the gallery we encourage them to talk with us about their work and the work they’re seeing in our gallery. It is our personal approach to art that keeps our gallery stimulating and makes it uniquely ours.

We feel that over the quarter of a century we have been in Atlanta, we have done our part to add to the health and diversity of the Atlanta arts community.

 

Charles and Vera Reinike

Vera ReinikeCharles Reinike

In 1930, the senior Charles Reinike and his wife, Vera, opened Reinike Academy of Art in the Vieux Carre in New Orleans.

Charles H. Reinike was a native of New Orleans and his wife, Vera, was a native of Hamburg, Germany. They both were attending The Chicago Institute of Art when they met in the 1920s. Vera was studying fashion design and Reinike was studying fine arts and graphic design.

Upon graduation, Reinike opened a graphic design firm in Chicago. However, the Great Depression was looming so Reinike returned to New Orleans. He and Vera married, and she joined him there. They opened their art school and despite the economic woes of that decade, it succeeded.

In the summers during the 1930s and early 1940s, they took their students from the heat in New Orleans to Audubon Woods, their camp in St. Francisville, LA. In the fall, they would return to the New Orleans Art League Building which housed the art school.

Among the artists in the Art League were Morris Hobbs, Albert Rieker, Clarence Millet and Charles Reinike. Women were not permitted membership.

Both Vera and Charles Reinike were accomplished painters. Vera was known primarily for her murals. Reinike pursued his career as a watercolorist, but he also worked on large commissions. Their works are still very much a part of the heritage of New Orleans.

By 1960, the school had evolved into a gallery exhibiting contemporary fine art.

Vera Reinike died in 1969. Her husband, Charles, died in 1983. Their three children, Audrey, Gretchen and Charles III, all pursued art careers.

The Gallery In A Nutshell -

 

  • Reinike Gallery shows original art—paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor, encaustic, and mixed media. The gallery presents one-person and group exhibitions throughout the year.
  • In addition to paintings, the gallery displays the pewter work by Charles H. Reinike III—tables, lamps, candlesticks, and other intriguing functional art pieces. Reinike Also produces jewelry in pewter and sterling.
  • Reinike Gallery shows a very select group of artists. The philosophy of the gallery is to show a depth of work by each artist to allow collectors to enjoy the artist’s range and to understand the artist’s techniques and point of view.
  • The art at Reinike Gallery includes modern impressionism, symbolism, abstract expressionism and minimalism. Emphasis is on the communication between artist and viewer.
  • Reinike Gallery is a setting where ideas are exchanged. The gallery hosts groups from various art organizations and colleges throughout the year.
  • The back studio allows visitors to see the creative process from concept to execution. Stimulating discussions on art theory and art construction are often part of the tours.
  • Reinike Gallery has been located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta since 1987. The gallery moved to Miami Circle in 1993.
  • Charles H. Reinike III and his wife, Edna, have owned the gallery since 1971. Reinike's parents opened the original gallery in 1930 in New Orleans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reinike Gallery occupies a 3500 square-foot warehouse space divided into individual exhibition areas. The three front galleries have 9-foot ceilings, allowing visitors to view paintings in the scale found in many homes and offices.
The gallery presents a diversity of styles and media. High-realism contrasts with total-abstraction to offer varying artistic views.
Current one-person and group exhibitions hang in the front galleries.
The pewter and walnut bar is a signature piece in the gallery. It was the last collaborative work by Charles H. Reinike III and his father, Charles Reinike.
One or more works by each artist Reinike Gallery represents are always on display.
Additional paintings are available in the stables.
Center galleries have warehouse ceilings and larger viewing areas.
In the back area of the building are Charles Reinike's studio and a framing utility area where visitors are welcome to see work in progress.

The Gallery Link to Upcoming Shows

Take a virtual tour of Reinike Gallery. Determining the scale of art on a website is challenging. This tour shows paintings hanging in the presentation areas of the gallery as well as a glimpse into the back studio.

Now Link to Headlines

Charles and Edna Reinike - The gallery owners discuss their vision for promoting their gallery's artists and also for encouraging an appreciation of the importance of art in daily life.

Then Link to New Works

The gallery opened in 1930 in New Orleans. Charles and Vera Reinike met in art school in Chicago, moved to New Orleans and began their careers as artists.

In A Nutshell Link to Archives

See an outline of quick information about the gallery - its scope and philosophy.