Cutting-edge art gallery provides tech solutions

This
is
the
true
story
of
an
artist,
a
computer
technician, a
teacher
and
a
funk
band
picked
to
live
in a computer
store
–
or just to
get along
in one.

ALB
Tech
is
the
“one
stop
technology
shop”
that
is
the
brainchild
of
VCU
philosophy
alum
and
store
owner Adam Bell.

“It was a three-pronged concept: technology, music
and
art,” Bell said.

Upon walking into the store, customers are greeted
by cutting-edge computers, sleek modern art and the
scent of fresh
coffee.

“I wanted to give back to the community. I love art
and
my walls were
empty,” Bell said.

Every
first
Friday,
Bell
hosts
art
enthusiasts
by
inviting
passersby
into
his
store
for
coffee,
art
and
live
music.
The
purchasable
art
remains
on
display
for the entire month, taking up most of the business’s
upstairs floor, while
digital
art cycles
on
the plethora
of
monitors
throughout
the first floor.

VCU alum, artist and musician Dave Klemencic, whose
art is currently on display, was the perfect candidate for
the inaugural showing
this
past Friday,
Bell
said.

“I’ve
tried
to
find
ways
of
combining
technology
and
personal
experience
to
create
new
methods
of
communicating with
the audience,” Klemencic
said.

Klemencic also combines art with live performance by
using a projection screen and an electronic sketchpad to
do interpretive drawings of
musicians in
their
element.

“The idea is to create a visual and sonic experience
for
the
viewer,
to
provide
them
with
a
rich
multilayered
atmosphere
they
can
really
sink
their
teeth
into,”
Klemencic
said.

In
terms
of
technological
solutions,
Bell
said
he
noticed
university students
were
hung out to
dry.

“There were very few services that the students could
take advantage of as far as computers go and even fewer
training
courses.
So
I
thought,
‘If
I
were
going
to
a
computer store,
what would I want to see?’ ”
Bell
said.

In sticking with
the rule of threes, Bell’s mantra is
“sales, service and training.”

“Every time I sell a computer, it comes with a service
warranty and a training package. The costumer walks
away
with
a
new
computer
and
more
knowledge.
It
tends
to
work
out
for
the both of us,”
he said.

Bell
stays
one
step
ahead
of
the
competition
by
offering lower
prices and computer-training
courses.

“I
save
you
the
trouble
of
enrolling
in
an
actual
institution like ECPI. The methods I use are tried and
true as far as computer curriculum goes and my courses
are only a fraction of the
cost.
I
also charge flat
rates
as opposed to the hourly rates of Online@VCU in the
University
Student Commons,” Bell said.

Just
one
example
of
Bell’s
quick
wit and technical
skills
presented itself
earlier
in the
day.

“I saved a costumer $530 on a 4-year-old Power Book
by spending 10
minutes
working on it
as
opposed
to
letting them
take
it
to
Capitol
Mac where
she would
have been
charged $550,” Bell said.

Located
at
1208
W.
Main
St.
next
to
Papa
John’s
Pizza, Bell offers student discounts and provides services
such as virus and spy-ware removal; data recovery and
migration; Web and graphic design; home theater design
and installation; home and business networking; on-site
or
in-store
computer
repair;
and laptop
soldering
on
PC or Mac,
inside
and
out.

“I
also
have
free
coffee,” Bell said.