A Glorious Return: The Historic Artists’ Centre Reopens at Army & Navy Building, Kala Ghoda

In an evening steeped in nostalgia, reverence, and renewal, the iconic Artists’ Centre reopened its doors to the public at its original and spiritual home — the Army & Navy Building at Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. Originally established in 1950 at Ador House, Artists’ Centre has long been a cultural landmark, nurturing generations of Indian artists and offering a democratic space for creative expression.

The reopening was marked by the inaugural solo exhibition “Silent Voyages – Brushstrokes by the Sea” by veteran artist Nagnath Mankeshwar. His tranquil, meditative seascapes served as the perfect ode to a space that has quietly held the artistic pulse of the city for over seven decades.

The event saw the gracious presence of some of India’s most eminent figures in the art world, including Brinda Miller, Sarayu Doshi, Tarana Khubchandani, Saroj Satija, Varsha Karale, Prof. Prakash Bhiser, Seema Mankeshwar, Soubhagya Kulkarni, Divya Sud, Sunil Pujari, and renowned sarangi maestro Ustad Siraj Khan, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, many reflected on the Artists’ Centre not just as a gallery but as a homecoming for the artistic soul — a space where ideas were born, legacies nurtured, and friendships forged in pigment and prose. The Centre, now reimagined for a new era, retains the warmth of its past while opening its doors to fresh voices and visions.

Nagnath Mankeshwar’s evocative canvases — rich in silence, sea, and soul — set the tone for the rebirth of a space that is not merely a gallery, but a cultural heartbeat. His show runs through the coming weeks, inviting patrons and lovers of art to rediscover serenity in every stroke.

As Artists’ Centre resumes its rightful place at the heart of Mumbai’s art district, this historic reopening stands as a testament to the enduring power of art, community, and home.

Venue:

Artists’ Centre, Army & Navy Building, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai – 400001.

Exhibition is on till June 2