Open Season
Art patrons in Columbus now have a convenient – and more intimate – vehicle to peruse and inquire about local pieces.
While Short North galleries have long benefited from the high-traffic monthly Gallery Hops, more serious collectors can plan on a quieter, more personal experience at the fledgling Short North Seasonal Open Houses.
Happening every three months, the galleries (eight participated in December’s event) open up on a Sunday afternoon to offer art, advice and a chance for collectors and first-time buyers alike to learn more about pieces of interest – whether currently exhibited or obscured in storage.
The idea for these events was conceptualized at the “Gallery Summit” — an initiative held in spring 2009 for shops and businesses in the district to network and collaborate with a goal of increased exposure. The first open house was held on June 21, 2009.
“We were thinking of ways to promote the galleries in addition to Gallery Hop, to educate the public, give them an opportunity where they might spend a little more time in the galleries and appeal to patrons and collectors,” says Jeanie Auseon of Studios on High.
A major objective of the open houses is to shatter misconceptions about art galleries, such as the notion that patrons will walk in and expect to be snubbed unless they want to buy artwork, according to Kelly Cousins, assistant director of the Mahan Gallery.
“Even though that’s not the case at all with any of these galleries, there’s still that perception, and the open house gives people a chance to feel like they can interact with the staff a lot easier. It’s a friendlier format,” she says.
The galleries create a more casual setting during the open houses compared to the Gallery Hops, which people often view as a “fancier, night-on-the-town, date night type of affair,” Cousins says.
With a relaxed atmosphere, smaller crowds and a relaxed Sunday afternoon environment, the open houses focus on just on the art, making it more convenient – and perhaps less intimidating – for potential buyers and serious collectors.
“It’s more laid back so a lot of people that maybe don’t understand art aren’t scared to ask questions, and I really like that,” Cousins says.
So far, the format seems to be working.
“I have definitely noticed that on the open house days, people kind of linger longer than if they’re just stopping in during the week, and they’re more perceptive to asking questions,” Cousins says.
Whether or not they’re actually buying art isn’t the only benefit of the events. Holly Featherstone, from the Kathryn Gallery, says even if open house patrons are in and out quickly, they’re still exposed to the gallery and therefore might be inspired to return.
Each gallery handles Sunday open houses differently – some include artist visits or schedule exhibit openings with drinks and appetizers, some schedule sales around the events and others open up their storage space to show off non-exhibited work.
“We’re not all alike. We’re different in mission and in focus. For instance, Mahan (Gallery) brings up inventory that they don’t have space to show continuously. It would be to collectors’ advantage to see things they normally would not have access to,” Auseon says.
Studios on High brings in one of their 18 resident artists to provide demonstrations and create art while customers browse what is already on display.
“Each of the galleries can use their unique structure to the public’s benefit,” Auseon says.
The Sherrie Gallery tries to coordinate exhibit openings during the quarterly events, with an artist on hand to answer questions.
“The intention is to make it more focused on art for people who are really interested. It’s a chance to educate people,” says Owner Sherrie Riley Hawk.
Gallery owners and managers are excited to see the fledgling event off and rolling, and are working on more marketing and advertising to attract more potential buyers. Hawk, Auseon and Cousins all concur there has been a sizeable growth in peoples’ interest in art, but that doesn’t always translate into a growth in purchased art. They’re hoping that changes in the event’s second year.
“I’m really excited to get this off the ground and build it into a bigger avenue for people to come down here. I’m expecting it to grow a lot in 2010,” Cousins says.
The next Short North Seasonal Open House is from 1-4 p.m. March 21. Other open house events are scheduled for June 20, Sept. 19 and Dec. 19. Participating galleries are noted by a silver balloon on display. More information and maps are available at www.shortnorth.org.
Emily Gibb is a contributing writer for CityScene.
While Short North galleries have long benefited from the high-traffic monthly Gallery Hops, more serious collectors can plan on a quieter, more personal experience at the fledgling Short North Seasonal Open Houses.
Happening every three months, the galleries (eight participated in December’s event) open up on a Sunday afternoon to offer art, advice and a chance for collectors and first-time buyers alike to learn more about pieces of interest – whether currently exhibited or obscured in storage.
The idea for these events was conceptualized at the “Gallery Summit” — an initiative held in spring 2009 for shops and businesses in the district to network and collaborate with a goal of increased exposure. The first open house was held on June 21, 2009.
“We were thinking of ways to promote the galleries in addition to Gallery Hop, to educate the public, give them an opportunity where they might spend a little more time in the galleries and appeal to patrons and collectors,” says Jeanie Auseon of Studios on High.
A major objective of the open houses is to shatter misconceptions about art galleries, such as the notion that patrons will walk in and expect to be snubbed unless they want to buy artwork, according to Kelly Cousins, assistant director of the Mahan Gallery.
“Even though that’s not the case at all with any of these galleries, there’s still that perception, and the open house gives people a chance to feel like they can interact with the staff a lot easier. It’s a friendlier format,” she says.
The galleries create a more casual setting during the open houses compared to the Gallery Hops, which people often view as a “fancier, night-on-the-town, date night type of affair,” Cousins says.
With a relaxed atmosphere, smaller crowds and a relaxed Sunday afternoon environment, the open houses focus on just on the art, making it more convenient – and perhaps less intimidating – for potential buyers and serious collectors.
“It’s more laid back so a lot of people that maybe don’t understand art aren’t scared to ask questions, and I really like that,” Cousins says.
So far, the format seems to be working.
“I have definitely noticed that on the open house days, people kind of linger longer than if they’re just stopping in during the week, and they’re more perceptive to asking questions,” Cousins says.
Whether or not they’re actually buying art isn’t the only benefit of the events. Holly Featherstone, from the Kathryn Gallery, says even if open house patrons are in and out quickly, they’re still exposed to the gallery and therefore might be inspired to return.
Each gallery handles Sunday open houses differently – some include artist visits or schedule exhibit openings with drinks and appetizers, some schedule sales around the events and others open up their storage space to show off non-exhibited work.
“We’re not all alike. We’re different in mission and in focus. For instance, Mahan (Gallery) brings up inventory that they don’t have space to show continuously. It would be to collectors’ advantage to see things they normally would not have access to,” Auseon says.
Studios on High brings in one of their 18 resident artists to provide demonstrations and create art while customers browse what is already on display.
“Each of the galleries can use their unique structure to the public’s benefit,” Auseon says.
The Sherrie Gallery tries to coordinate exhibit openings during the quarterly events, with an artist on hand to answer questions.
“The intention is to make it more focused on art for people who are really interested. It’s a chance to educate people,” says Owner Sherrie Riley Hawk.
Gallery owners and managers are excited to see the fledgling event off and rolling, and are working on more marketing and advertising to attract more potential buyers. Hawk, Auseon and Cousins all concur there has been a sizeable growth in peoples’ interest in art, but that doesn’t always translate into a growth in purchased art. They’re hoping that changes in the event’s second year.
“I’m really excited to get this off the ground and build it into a bigger avenue for people to come down here. I’m expecting it to grow a lot in 2010,” Cousins says.
The next Short North Seasonal Open House is from 1-4 p.m. March 21. Other open house events are scheduled for June 20, Sept. 19 and Dec. 19. Participating galleries are noted by a silver balloon on display. More information and maps are available at www.shortnorth.org.
Emily Gibb is a contributing writer for CityScene.
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