LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — Coffee — it’s the centerpiece of conversation, especially when art is involved.
Sitting in the middle of Barrett Avenue in Germantown lies M.A.F. Gallery and Cafe, whose mission is to shine the light on local artists while brewing up specialty drinks.
If the cafe looks familiar, it’s the former site of Gallery K which was known for hosting art and open mic comedy shows.
This is where we find a laid-back Sketch Basel-Bibbs brewing up java for customers popping in and out during lunch on a sunny afternoon.
Sketch has been around on the art scene for a while. His love of art began at the age of four, citing his ability to look at something and make it was a goal.
Those who live in the west end often seek him out for his unique tattoo designs. Some of his work can also be seen around the city in murals, including a feature in the city’s “One Poem at a Time” initiative in Smoketown centering around Muhammad Ali. The work of art even received praise from Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.
As Sketch is whipping up a caramel frappe, a man greets him and compliments his work.
“Man, I love your art,” he says.
Sketch replies, “Thank you, I can’t take credit for it all. It’s a lot of us.”
He says the gallery stemmed from a media idea involving music, art and food. With those elements, Sketch says those are essential keys to a pleasured life.
“Originally I got the place as Gallery K and the owners of it then — I kind of followed their same motto to let up and coming artists to have a place to show art and then as well as provide coffee and space for people to do their homework and have meetings,” he said.
Louisville continues to thrive as an ever-evolving arts community and Sketch says having homegrown artists is important to the city’s culture.
“It’s fairly important for the upcoming energy Louisville has. I guess you can say we have a lot of development in this city — development in this area and development in surrounding areas with condominiums and different kinds of gentrification and things. We have to do the same exact thing for the art scene. We basically have to give the local artists somewhere to hang their art so eventually they’ll be able to reach their next platform,” he said. “It kind of starts somewhere — you gotta get your art in somebody’s gallery and if nobody’s willing to accept it, then you never really get past the first step.”
The walls of the cafe are filled with intricate pieces of various shapes, colors and sizes — some painted, sketched with pencil or custom built in various frames.
M.A.F. does accept art when they aren’t hosting shows but says there is a process that comes with the territory.
“It’s not really strict, it’s more so strict around the quality of the art — like as far as what it’s presented on, how it may be framed or finished but we don’t really rule by looks because that’s kind of a perception thing. We just go by the quality,” he said.
Sketch says the gallery is aiming to have full art shows soon but since they’ve been opened for the past couple of weeks, they’re just focusing on pieces they can showcase as patrons come in.
He stressed the positivity Gallery K handed over to them was definitely going to be a mainstay and wants it to be a place where all can gather and share ideas while forming friendships and conversations.
“We want it to be without incident. It’s really not for anything other than love and prosperity — that type of thing.”
M.A.F. says they will eventually add a variety of food items to the menu, including vegan options in the future.
The spot is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
M.A.F. Gallery and Cafe is located at 976 Barret Avenue.
