Art Gallery To Open At Former CBGBs

Later this week, the legendary punk music venue CBGB will be rocking a different kind of art form.

A portion of the Bowery space will open Thursday as the Morrison Hotel Gallery, featuring art that symbolizes the place where punk rock music became a part of American culture.

The gallery has promised to respect the history, neighborhood, and generation that became defined at the location, which closed in 2006.

One of the artists whose work will be displayed says the art reflects the simplicity that embodied the legendary club.

"It was a lot easier than it is now," said photographer Steve Joester. "The access to acts then, it was just an easier feel. There wasn't the division, not a lot of the public relations people, and they really didn't realize the kind of value of the image that they do now. A photograph is worth a lot of money to people, back then it was just, you know, like get the shots done and have fun."

Some aspects of the original club remains untouched, including the logo out front, and the bathrooms, which remain the same. Some hidden walls from 1983 just discovered by renovators will also be on view.

The other part of CBGBs will be turned into men's clothing store John Varvatos.

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