What happens when two distinct creative forces—sharing a phonetic name but wielding entirely different textures and visions—occupy the same gallery space? Briyan Art brings together Batavia’s own Brian Kemp and Bryan Wright for a collaborative duo exhibition at the People’s Collective Art Gallery inside Eli Fish Brewing. Serving as the visual centerpiece for August’s gathering, The Brian Meetup on August 15th, this exhibition highlights the beauty of tactile craft, graphic sensibilities, and intuitive creation.

Though both artists bring a foundation in graphic design to their work, their physical mediums tell two contrasting, yet complementary, stories of material transformation:

• Bryan Wright: Drawing deep inspiration from a Charleston, SC upbringing, Wright translates memories of beachcombing, coastal waters, and searching for hidden earth treasures into rugged metal fabrications. Combining basic metalworking with graphic design principles, his cut and textured pieces bring organic marine life dynamically to steel and iron.

• Brian Kemp: Creating with an intuitive, child-like spontaneity, Kemp constructs mixed-media works using found wood, metals, acrylic, chalk, charcoal, and duck cloth canvas. Fueled by studio music and a passion for unplanned expression, his featured works celebrate character as it naturally unfolds.

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From Wright’s hand-cut, coastal metalwork to Kemp’s rhythm-driven, raw mixed-media compositions, Briyan Art is a testament to the power of showing up, making noise, and celebrating local creative community.

Come grab a pint, explore the exhibition throughout the month of August, and join us in honoring both shared names and distinct artistry.