Boswell Mourot Fine Arts.(Directory)(Brief article)

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Boswell Mourot Fine Arts

Owners: Kyle Boswell, Jon Mourot

Address: 5815 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock

Phone: (501) 664-0030

Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Sat. (summer)

Startup: May 16

Web site: www.boswellmourot.com

Glassblower and sculptor Kyle Boswell, along with his business partner, psychologist and art critic Jon Mourot, is bringing his artistic vision to Pulaski Heights. His new gallery, Boswell Mourot Fine Arts, represents his vision of what an art gallery should be.

Boswell, 46, previously spent eight years as a resident artist with the University of Miami. He majored in political science and has an interest in business, but his drive is for art. "I'm strictly an artist," he said. "I worked and invested in art galleries in Miami while I was there. My entire life I was raised going to art galleries, so as an artist it's a passion of mine."

The 2,000-SF gallery features a mixture of styles from traditional to surreal and currently represents 19 international, national and local artists. Boswell stresses that the gallery focuses entirely on showcasing its artists: All pieces of art are originals, rather than prints, and the gallery offers no products besides the art.

Boswell Mourot is the sixth art gallery in the Heights, but Boswell doesn't see the other galleries as competition. "I think it's wonderful," he said. "I don't find galleries being in competition with each other. They're complementary. We carry different art between the six of us."

Boswell is hoping to host art openings for his artists throughout the year, while continuing to gain recognition for his gallery. He doesn't expect the weakened economy to affect the gallery's performance. Boswell said that art was "something people enjoy having around them. It comforts people. The art market is still strong."