The Ohio Art League announced yesterday that the group will be opening a new exhibition space on Friday, December 11th in partnership with the Franklinton Arts District. It is called X Space, and will be located within 400 West Rich, the same building that houses Strongwater Food & Spirits, over 100 art studios, a coworking hub and more.
X Space will allow OAL members to have space to create projects and to collaborate with the community. The 106-year-old organization has been without a permanent public space since exiting the South Campus Gateway in early 2014.
“We are rebuilding, so things are still very raw right now,” says OAL Director Kimberly Webb, who joined the organization in August. “Which is a great way to begin again.”
OAL has a many new initiatives planned to partner with their supporters, to get the community involved, and to expand their audience. The organization has plans to add creative classes, professional development workshops and artist talks.
“We would like to keep it experimental,” added Webb. “We hope this space will encourage cultural growth and foster sustainability for artists.”
X Space will be located on the south end of the 400 West Rich building, in the area previously home to Dinin’ Hall.
The grand opening event will take place on Friday, December 11th from 7pm to 11pm with an annual member meeting update taking place from 7:30pm to 8pm. Work will be displayed from local artists including M.J. Bole, Dan Gerdeman, Hiroshi Hayakawa, Amy Leibrand, Barbara Vogel and others.
For more information, visit www.oal.org.