The Short North celebrates 35 years of Gallery Hop

Taylor Smith
Thu, 05 Sep 2019 01:28:46 +0000
Arts & Life, Entertainment, Events, Fine Arts, Music, News, 35th anniversary, anniversary, art, Columbus, downtown, gallery hop, music, the short north, The Short North Gallery Hop

Observers of art at the Short North Arts District Gallery Hop on July. 6. Gallery Hop is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Abbey Leising

Color and culture will flood North High Street to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Gallery Hop Saturday, beautifying the city and its businesses wall by wall.

Local galleries and businesses will open their doors to the general public to host the newest exhibitions in the Short North Arts District, while street performers and local vendors fill the street, creating a space of artistic expression.

In 1984, Short North Arts District gallery owners came together to display new exhibits on the first Saturday of every month, sparking an instant success, according to a press release from Short North Arts District. The event became known officially as Gallery Hop in 1985, and has been a tradition ever since.

“Gallery Hop has grown into such a celebrated Columbus tradition,” Betsy Pandora, executive director of Short North Alliance, said. “It is such a visual feast.”

Gallery Hop presents events and exhibitions from more than 20 galleries and art venues. Also presented are more than 34 public art installations and monthly activations from different small businesses, according to the press release.

Artists display their works each month on the walls of galleries and businesses, as well as with vibrant murals that overlook city walkers. BrewDog Short North, First Commonwealth Bank and other small businesses located on North High Street will join the celebration by hosting live music and talks given by artists, Pandora said.

Pandora said there are over 400 businesses in the Short North that have late hours, many of them regularly planning special events and programs.?

“We’re doing our part to support the community,” Stephany Kuehmer, employee at First Commonwealth Bank, said. “If [the artists] do end up selling anything — anything at all — 100 percent of the proceeds go to the artists.”?

Amongst the artists displaying their work this month is Dawn Petrill, who was chosen by the Ohio Art League to show her nature-inspired creations at First Commonwealth Bank.

“You don’t have to be an art connoisseur,” Petrill said. “I hope that it would connect to a variety of people.”??

The September Gallery Hop is 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free for all.