Spokane artist Ben Joyce says he plans this fall to open a production studio, an art gallery, and an event space to be named Ben Joyce Studios, in the former auto glass warehouse at 806 W. Third.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to open up a gallery in Spokane,” says Joyce. “There has been a new life and energy injected into the city in the recent years, and it feels like the right time to begin this journey.”

Joyce attended Gonzaga University and spent a year studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where he began developing his current artistic style, known as abstract topophilia. Since that time, his art has gained worldwide recognition.

Joyce says he purchased the 7,000-square-foot space in June.

He says the gallery section of the facility will showcase his own work and that of his mentor, Father Bruno Segatta.

While he’s still unsure how many employees he’ll need to operate the new space, Joyce says he hopes to open in time to begin booking holiday season events.

“The Spokane art community has so much potential, and I hope this will help raise awareness in the Spokane art scene,” he says.