Owner Chad Mize told the Tampa Bay Times that he is closing the gallery because his lease is ending, and that he's just ready to move on.
"I could continue to do it. I'm not leaving because I'm being kicked out or because I can't afford the space," said Mize. "It's more about resetting my life, taking a break just because I'm so busy with my own work as an artist."
Mize intends to take some time to work on his own art, and will continue to work with other artists. After hosting 55 exhibits through the years, he will now have the time to work on murals, commissions, and other projects instead of focusing on the gallery, which is located at 689 Dr. MLK Jr St. N.
According to the publication, Uptown Eats, owned by Mize's fiance Dan Schmidt plans to expand into the gallery space.
The gallery's upcoming and final exhibit, "Friend," will open on Friday Nov. 4 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m, and gallery hours will be Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The exhibit runs until Nov. 20, and the gallery is free to attend.
The exhibition is about the importance of friendship, and will be the last installation inside of the gallery, though a press release says more works will be coming off-site next year.
Mize Gallery will close out the year with its annual holiday gift show "Stuff & Things & Stuff" opening Saturday Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The last day you can visit MIZE Gallery will be Friday, Dec. 23.