Thousands of Art Hoppers passing through the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington’s Soda Plant this weekend probably won’t notice a significant change: Founder and creative director Christy Mitchell has passed the enterprise she calls “my baby” to artist Nikki Laxar. That baby is now an adolescent.
Even to the artist community and regular gallerygoers, the ownership transition has been nearly invisible. Burlington native Laxar, 38, maintains a studio at S.P.A.C.E., working in collage, ink and watercolor, and has been a gallery manager for nearly three years. Laxar is also the art curator for the South End Arts + Business Association — where Mitchell is executive director — and manages the annual Women’s Festival of Crafts.
Not only is Laxar familiar, she has “a public-facing presence,” Mitchell…
