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Baton Rouge Gallery is back. The doors of the contemporary art center are open after a month's vacation to clean up the interior walls' crisp, white complexion and take a breather from construction. In line with the fresh paint and budding landscape, this month BRG is celebrating its new artist members Chris Dennis and Diane Henson. The Gallery will host a closing reception for the New Members' Show from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27. If you have the means, and it is free, I highly recommend you attend.

Yes, I used to work there, so I'm a little biased, but Baton Rouge Gallery is truly an amazing oasis of talent. Striking an early 20th century pose, with tender columns and a pale yellow stucco coat, between a golf course and tennis court, BRG is a haven. Its nonprofit status keeps that nasty, capitalistic germ from affecting the experience. The space has the luxury of exhibiting voyeuristic work, newly established artists and hosting a wide array of free art programming. And even though the Gallery has been at 1442 City Park Ave. for more than 20 years, there are residents of the Garden District who still don't know it exists.

This Wednesday is a perfect time to discover or revisit a sanctuary for contemporary art. Last October new artist members Dennis, Henson and Katherine Hunter (who will be showing in September) were accepted into the family of 42 other local and regional artists who form the Gallery's cooperative. They join the generation of Tom Richard, Scott Finch and Leanne McClurg as young, innovative artists who challenge the abstractionism found in the work of their predecessors. In addition to turning away from tired passive landscapes and gimmicky cultural references (I'm talking about the bayou watercolors and fleur-de-lis) Dennis and Henson contribute to habit of juxtaposition that is becoming more and more prevalent in local work.

Both artists collide separate beings or spaces to create skillfully disorienting works of art. Dennis's work marries man and animal among sober backgrounds to relay the title of his series, "Therianthropic." In her series, "Fragments" Henson takes cityscapes at various perspectives and stacks them on top of one another to create a window into her own imaginary world.

There is no pretension, dress code or educational level required to attend or enjoy the art receptions at Baton Rouge Gallery. It is also a chance to casually talk to the artists and gain a deeper understanding of their work. See more of the new member's work here.

And they have a lot complimentary wine and cheese that makes a cheap date look unintentional.