Gallery U to Open in Root Building

Universal Institute Rehabilitation, serving individuals with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, will open in September in the newly-built Root Building on South Avenue West.

The entire first floor of the building will house Gallery U, an unconventional art gallery, featuring the handmade crafts of many of UIR's clients. In addition to offering a creative outlet, the gallery also serves as a vocational training program to help those with disabilities rejoin the workforce. The gallery is expected to open in August, with a grand opening celebration to follow in September, Red Bank gallery director Robert Langdon told Tri City News. 

The Westfield space is four times as large as the Red Bank-based Gallery U and represents the merger of that facility with one in Montclair. While he said he is sad to be leaving Red Bank, Langdon told the paper he is looking forward to being a part of another "arts-based community" in Westfield. 

The second floor features apartments where UIR's clients will reside and have access to an on-site, round-the-clock staff. 

Check back with Patch for additional details as the grand opening approaches.