It was reported yesterday that the Ohio Art League gallery in the Short North had some suspicious “for lease” signs in their windows, and speculation quickly led some to believe that the organization as a whole would be closing. Thankfully, that is not the case.
A note was sent out tonight to OAL members from OAL Board President Haley Boehning stating that while the economic downturn has shrunk the organization’s budget, they were in no danger of dissolving. They are discontinuing their lease at their gallery space at 954 N. High Street, but are pursuing a new opportunity in a new venue.
“While final negotiations are still underway, I will tell you I am very excited about this new strategic partnership,” said Boehning in the release. “It is a unique opportunity to operate a larger gallery space in a synergistic environment with many new opportunities for additional, enhanced programming for our members and our community.”
Update (9/4/2009): The new 1,500 square foot gallery space will be located in the main alley of the South Campus Gateway near OSU. It was also noted that aside from the September MCE, all scheduled events through the remainder of 2009 will continue as planned in the new space.
More information can be found online at www.OAL.org.