When Bennett Street Gallery owner Susie Pryor decided to change the name of her Buckhead business in April after 20 years, she was advised against it.

“The gallery has evolved and I have evolved,” the artist said of her choice to rename the business Pryor Fine Art. “It was one of those gut things. I wanted the gallery to have its own identity apart from the street.”

After 10 years in the retail fashion business, Ms. Pryor, an Athens native, returned to Georgia and opened the gallery in fall 1990 with a handful of artists represented.

“It was driven by my personal interest in art more than anything,” the Milton resident said.

Ms. Pryor, who began painting when she was a teenager and studied drawing and art history at the University of Georgia, picked up creating art herself after three years in business.

“I was doodling and dabbling and I showed it to someone and she suggested I sell it,” she said.

To celebrate the gallery’s 20th anniversary, Ms. Pryor will have a show opening Friday with proceeds from the first week of sales benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“The new direction for the gallery is less traditional and more contemporary,” said Tiffany Hay, gallery manager. “We have a strong staple of artists and we’re consistently updating our inventory from them and re-hanging the gallery to keep it fresh.”

With about 50 artists relationships, the gallery represents a variety of styles and perspectives including Atlanta artists dennis campay, Felice Sharp, Jennifer J.L. Jones and Peter Hoffer.

Both Ms. Hay and Ms. Pryor agree that one thing that has made the gallery lasting is its focus on customer service and creating a welcoming and informative environment.

“Artwork needs to provoke emotions and people need to feel there’s more to learn about it,” said Ms. Pryor. “I believe art is for everyone and should be easy to learn everything about it.”

If you go

o What: Pryor Fine Art’s 20th anniversary celebration and eponymous show featuring Susie Pryor
o Benefits: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
o When: opening reception 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, show runs Friday through Oct. 5
o Where: Pryor Fine Art, 22-F Bennett Street, Buckhead
o Information: (404) 352-8775 or visit www.pryorfineart.com.