Without a Sen. John McCain supporter in sight, an art gallery on the South Side passionately celebrated President-Elect Barack Obama’s win the night of Nov. 4.

Bryant Johnson, curator and owner of Steele Life Gallery, 4655 S. King Drive, said his main goal has always been to promote multicultural affairs as well as the art of the past, present and especially the future, which is why the owners wanted to hold a party on Election Day for Obama.

Johnson said the election was also a good way to advertise his gallery and further cement the ideals it stands for.

“We do hope we can generate some publicity for our little gallery-that-could,” Johnson said.

The gallery, which displays contemporary art, looks very modern due to both the art and the architecture of the gallery. The art all carries a cultural or spiritual message and can expand to more than just a painting on the wall. Johnson said he will let an artist do almost anything with their space, as long as they repair any damage and clean up.

Although there wasn’t any obviously politically-themed art on display at the event, Johnson mainly shows pieces by local artists. Johnson sometimes displays his own photography but said he would rather showcase the art of others, as long as it meshes well with the message he wants his gallery to convey.

Attendee Kemba Kelly said even without outwardly political art, she could feel the promotion of culture and Obama’s campaign platform of change in the atmosphere of the event.

“We’re at the helm of economic downfall, and our relationship with the rest of the world has failed,” Kelly said. “We’re at a turning point.”

Kelly said she thinks election parties were a final way to support a candidate and feels a little superstitious about going to parties on Election Day. She also said a room full of people hoping for Obama to win can only mean good things for him and to participate makes her feel like she’s a part of something bigger.

“I wanted to celebrate history, and I didn’t want to do it alone,” she said.

With a steady stream of people throughout the night, the gallery held about 50 to 100 people at a time.

Johnson made sure the catering staff offered food and drinks at Blu47, the restaurant and lounge next to the gallery. Multiple DJs also kept music playing throughout the night.

Darrel McElrod, an attendee who said he was happy the gallery offered an event on Election Day, said it made him feel like he was supporting his candidate more forcefully than if he had been at home watching the election coverage on TV.

He chose to attend Steele Life’s event because of Johnson’s ideas about spreading multiculturalism and change in the United States, he said. McElrod wanted to participate in an event that “hopefully makes history.”

“Without support, we can’t get Obama in there,” McElrod said.

He said he knows people who begrudge the outcome of elections, but he thinks they don’t have the right to complain if they didn’t support their candidate or vote.

Johnson said he was pleased with the outcome of his event and was proud of everyone who attended for not only their support of Obama, but for their support of his gallery. He said elections like this one don’t come around all that often, and he was glad he could be involved in a tiny part of history.