Openings for graphics-minded Memphians: Canvas art bar and Memphis Reprographics

A watering hole for art lovers is soon to open in Midtown. Dubbed Canvas, the "interactive art bar" is the realization of Brandon Knight and Robert Coletta who previously operated the Memphis Rehearsal Complex & Recording Studio. The Downtown rehearsal space and performance venue suffered a fire last year, and the partners are moving forward with creating a “a legit business instead of just an underground scene (like at Memphis Rehearsal Complex),” Knight said.

Canvas will serve liquor and a limited menu with items like unconventional spring rolls stuffed with macaroni and cheese, ground beef or vanilla pudding with graham crackers.

Music will be hosted nightly on the small stage. Visitors will be able to come and make their own art, peruse the rotating gallery wall or commission one of the in-house artists to do a painting on the spot.

Knight is hoping for a July opening for the 1737 Madison Ave. business. 

Local printing company Memphis Reprographics’ move to Shelby Crossing Shopping Center is another boon for graphics-minded Memphians. Owner Chris McNally said that leaving the Airways Boulevard location will allow for greater quality and turnaround time for clients.

“We just wanted to be more central in the Memphis market. We had previously been in that area because of its proximity to FedEx and ability to ship out, and that was really why we started running a late night printing and shipping operation,” McNally said. “But as we got more efficient from an operational standpoint, we realized we wouldn’t have to keep the labor going until late into the night.”

With the new space comes more room to add state-of-the-art equipment for streamlining Memphis Reprographics’ large format printing, document management and cloud-based Planroom services.

On June 4 from 4pm to 7pm an open house will be held at the new 6178 Macon Road location following the Greater Memphis Chamber ribbon cutting.
 
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Madeline Faber is an editor and award-winning reporter. Her experience as a development reporter complements High Ground's mission to write about what's next for Memphis.