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    Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery

    4.9 (8 reviews)
    PriceyArt Galleries
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Sandy W.

    Came tonight to see comedian Steven Wright. His humor is a bit different but amazingly hilarious! Most seats were filled for his performance. Seating is comfortable and probably from any seat seeing the stage would be good since this is a smaller theatre. Steven Wright has a lot of one liners so it's easier to remember some of his jokes. He performed nonstop for almost two hours!

    Me next to my piece...
    Michael C.

    I was fortunate to be included in the Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery 2017 Biennial art exhibition. This was an honor and a very prestigious show. I exhibited work with 58 of the most talented artists in the state and really enjoyed meeting all of the other artists, curators and jurors at the opening. This space is so unassuming because it is in a building that you wouldn't expect it to be in. It is extremely spacious and beautifully lit. The show itself is up until Jan 2018. I'd recommend this gallery for folks visiting Columbus who have 20-30 minutes to kill. Parking is easy to find and the gallery is easily accessible. I've been one time before for a different show and the space looked completely different! There are tons of sights and eats within earshot of the gallery so go and explore! Not so humbly submitted, Michael C.

    Morgan D.

    We were the first to attend the gallery last Saturday. We were there before the doors even opened. We chatted it up with the gallery attendant as we waited for the tardy security guards to unlock the space and turn the lights on. The first few minutes we were there were very peaceful. There's a fabulous watercolor show going on right now. Lots of different artists and subject matter. Lots of different styles. Go if you get the chance. Like I said, the first few moments were peaceful, but then, all hell broke loose. A disheveled man and his two children who looked to be about 10 and 6, stood, half outside, half inside the Riffe Center, screaming at each other. The problem was that those doors were just being unlocked. The father and daughter had entered through the side door, but the son wanted to go through the revolving door. So, while the son unsuccessfully pushed and pushed, the father screamed: 'Ty! Ty! Get in here Ty. Get in here. Come on. Get in here Ty.' That's the kind of thing that can break your concentration. I tried to block it out. They managed to get the whole family indoors. The father charged forward, passing earsplitting judgment on every piece he saw. He was one of those know-it-alls who really doesn't know anything: 'I see what he's trying to do here, but I don't like it. I don't like this one at all. This one's good. I like this one. I can see how some people would think this one is nice because of the shadows. The shadows are good.' He was like a friggin' parrot! 'Look at this still life,' he told the kids. The son didn't understand what a still life is, or rather a 'still life still life' as he called it. The daughter demonically explained, 'It's when you drain all the life out of something, and it become still.' I moved to the other end of the gallery. I really was enjoying the show, but I had to get away from these insane people. Anyway, the son didn't seem to like the daughter's answer, so he charged like a jouster into his father. The father got VERY angry and threw a temper tantrum. This began an argument between the two children. The gallery attendant, an old, sweet woman, came over and tried to speak with the young boy. She didn't outright tell the trio to shut their traps. I think she was hoping her presence would have an effect on them. It didn't. This family must have had a genetic social disorder. I retreated even farther into the gallery. Despite the craziness that went on inside the Riffe Gallery that day, I had a great time. The art was fantastic. There was one oil color of a boy with really curly hair. It was exquisite. There was another of a sunrise in Hawaii with a bunch of volcanic ash causing reflection in the sky. There was a roughly interpreted painting of a butterfly in flight. And there was a layered narrative about falling leaves. These were excellent, excellent pieces. The gallery itself was enormous. It was well lit with high ceilings and little benches on which to sit and ponder. I'm hoping I'll be able to really drink it all in on my next visit.

    Gallery View of "Go Figure." Curated by Charles McWeeny. Jan. 28-March 23, 2016.
    Matt P.

    Very nice, spacious gallery with plenty of wall and floor space to exhibit large pieces. It's located inside the Vern Riffe Center. On the weekends you have to enter via State Street off to the side and walk up the stairs to get to the gallery entrance. All other times just enter the main building through the front during the building's regular business hours. I went to view the show "Go Figure," running from Jan. 28-March 23, 2016. Curated by Charles McWeeny and featuring 13 Ohio artists, this show ranges surreal to hyper real-paintings, sculpture and photography. Nice array of styles and Ohio talent. Highly recommend. They also have workshops for children (next one is Feb 20, 2-4) and a new two-hour open figure drawing class on Wednesdays.

    Entry to Riffe Gallery

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    Kathryn Gallery

    Kathryn Gallery

    4.0
    (5 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    Kathryn Gallery is a very high end gallery that features American artists but prides itself on its…read moreinternational artist collection. I've found a lot of Spanish art here and even some Israeli art. One of Kathryn's signature artists is Jaline Pol, a well-cultured French artist. She paints big, globby flowers. She's really good. I don't think she uses any brushes, just a palette knife. I saw her stuff in another high end gallery on a recent Chicago trip. I recognized her immediately. That's one of the key requirements of great art: a recognizable style. Her color palette is also very bright and upbeat. Most of the pieces at Kathryn Gallery are landscape oils. But there are also sculptures. The sculptures tend to have a circular-motion feel, if that makes sense. Even the stickman types are bending into a sphere, making them appear voluminous. For nearly a year, Kathryn Gallery has also been showing these vibrant swirled pitchers that look like something you'd see in Fantasia. They have leaves and lily pistils placed in offbeat places. I don't know what you'd do with something like that, but they're fun to look at for a few minutes while you're visiting. I love Kathryn Gallery's location. It's at the south end of the district near a bunch of other galleries. It's on a corner, so it has all these display windows that are very alluring from the outside, but they also provide a bunch of natural light inside the gallery. I do wish the art changed more rapidly. Sometimes they have the same stuff in there for what seems like months. They don't have exhibits like, say OAL. But they do put pieces in the closet and bring them back out six months later. They do, of course, also get new stock. If you go, I have two suggestions. One, fill your pockets with some of the chocolate from the candy dish near the entrance. Two, go all the way to the back under the exit sign; there's a closet/hallway back there filled with more art.

    Very nice art gallery! They always have interesting pieces and it makes a great stop when you're…read moredoing the short north gallery hop. Outside of that I'd check their hours before turning up.

    Photos
    Jaline Pol in the back
    Jaline Pol in the back
    Kathryn Gallery
    Kathryn Gallery

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    Studios On High Gallery

    Studios On High Gallery

    4.5
    (6 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Studios on High is an artist collective. Artists come in and out of ownership of the gallery, but…read morethe average number of associated artists usually hovers around 15. I find that Studios On High has a female slant. Many of the artists are women, many of the themes in the work deal with femininity, and much of the work is aimed (in my opinion) at female buyers. A lot of the art features animals and nature as well. I most appreciate Studios On High for its history as a Columbus gallery; it's been around since the mid-1980s. Many of the artists who leave end up opening their own galleries, case in point, Jeff Hersey of Terra Gallery. If you visit, you'll catch a handful of the artists in the studio; sometimes they're in the process of creating something, or perhaps they're just knitting. The artists are very inviting and don't mind if you hang around to watch them work. My favorite pieces at Studios On High are always the blown glass vessels by husband and wife duo Scott Conover and Lisa Horkin. The tiny vessels are so colorful, and they all have great shapes. I saw Scott and Lisa last summer making the vessels on High St at a Gallery Hop. They also make bowels and vases. The colored pencil drawings by Rhonda Bartoe Tuckers are also phenomenal. They are so smooth that they look like they were painted. Since Studios On High is a collective, there's all kinds of art to be seen (in all kinds of genres): prints, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, paintings, drawings, knits, glass, ceramics, etc. The artwork changes often.

    Another great stop along the Short North Gallery Hop and an affordable one to boot…read more Friendly staff, clever items mixed with high-end art, a laid back atmosphere, and a great 'standing collection' all contribute to making this one of the more accessible options in the Short North for fans of many styles.

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    Studios On High Gallery
    Studios On High Gallery
    Quiet Reflection exhibition by Denise Romecki on view at Studios On High Gallery Jun 1 - Jul 4, 2019.

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    Quiet Reflection exhibition by Denise Romecki on view at Studios On High Gallery Jun 1 - Jul 4, 2019.
    Sherrie Gallerie

    Sherrie Gallerie

    4.9
    (7 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    This gallery consistently blows me away with their vibrant and varied exhibitions. Glass and…read moreceramic pieces are definitely my favorite and they are all represented here, but there is something for everyone. Tonight, for example, we attended a dinner and wine pairing to celebrate a precious gemstones artisan and it was exquisite. The pieces of jewelry had great range, unique design and depth. It was interesting to learn about her inspiration for the pieces, how she sources the stones/materials and the process to create them. There is validated parking in the rear, street parking and nearby garages in terms of parking. The gallery is amongst other galleries, bars, restaurants, and Goodale Park.

    Walking into Sherrie Gallerie is like going through the looking glass - sort of. There's always a…read moremix of whimsical/sardonic/wicked work there; it's what draws people through the doors. One of my favorite shows possibly ever in Columbus just ended at Sherrie Gallerie. I walked past one day to see these horridly fascinating human heads. In no time, I was inside, standing face-to-face with the creatures and studying the precision and craftsmanship of their teeth and skin. The heads, created by 'ceramicist' Tom Bartel, were dually nightmarish and comical. I have since become a huge fan of his macabre style. That's the beauty of Sherrie Gallerie. Sherrie brings the best work to Columbus, and people leave the gallery with curiosity. Sherrie leaves you wanting more. It's fantastic! Another awesome show from mid-summer: Problems in Sailing by John Balistreri. Seriously people, if you're the least bit into ceramics, check this place out. Balistreri had these huge pieces in the windows. They looked like planes that had crashed into the gallery floor. Oh, and the most alluring show of them all was a couple years ago. Sherrie had crayon installations by Christian Faur. They were large scale, and the premise was similar to that of a Lite-Brite but with a tinge of Holocaust sadness. The Christian Faur show was my deciding factor; right then, I knew I needed to move to Columbus.

    Photos
    Spiral zucchini casserole (Artist open  house)
    Spiral zucchini casserole (Artist open house)
    Ceramic
    Ceramic
    Hunter Stamps... Echo

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    Hunter Stamps... Echo
    Short North Gallery Hop

    Short North Gallery Hop

    4.0
    (20 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I am absolutely shocked that the SN Gallery Hop hasn't been reviewed in 3+ years! While this year…read morethey obviously had to pivot and go virtual, this art hop is just one of the many things that makes this neighborhood so special. I'm currently really missing the hustle and bustle on High St. that occurs on this first Saturday of the month celebration. Between musicians busking on the street to the art galleries opening their doors and the creative works that come out of the artists in our beautiful city, it's pure magic. A lot of the bars and restaurants will also have specials and fun promotions going on. It's my favorite to simply walk up and down the sidewalk, admiring the fun. I used to have a studio and participate in an art walk in my hometown of Zanesville and I really miss being on the artist side of things. That being said, I'm glad Columbus celebrates art all year around. I can't wait until the in-real-life hops start up again. I can only imagine the artwork that came out of the year that was 2020.

    Another month, another Gallery Hop! I'm beginning to think that I had fallen victim to a bad case…read moreof 'local syndrome' in regard to the Gallery Hop. You know, that feeling of been there, done that, over it, ugh. But this time, a group of us made our way from a Kentucky Derby party down to the Gallery hop with a friend who had never been before. It was refreshing to see the Hop through the eyes of a newbie! And it definitely sparked my enthusiasm in the event again! We got down there fairly late (and so full of food and alcohol from the party) so we didn't stay long - just long enough to walk from the Cap to the White Castle, cross over, and walk back, all whilst stopping at a few shops and galleries. Its definitely much more fun in the warmer weather and I'm so glad that Columbus has decided to come out hibernation! Even though we didn't have a whole night of things planned, it was a fun outing. I prefer to make an evening of it. Getting dinner (pick a restaurant, any restaurant, they are all fun), doing a little shopping (window shopping most of the time!), after dinner coffee at Impero (http://www.yelp.com/biz/impero-coffee-roasters-columbus), *drool* any and all flavors at Jeni's *drool* (http://www.yelp.com/biz/jenis-ice-creams-columbus-2), and then a bit of alcoholic libation. I've never had any trouble finding parking since I realized I could park over at Goodale Park and walk. You gotta burn off that ice cream you know...

    Photos
    A street performer plays for passersby at the Short North Arts District Gallery Hop
    A street performer plays for passersby at the Short North Arts District Gallery Hop
    Short North Gallery Hop

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    Sharon Weiss Gallery

    Sharon Weiss Gallery

    4.0
    (3 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    Sharon's Gallery is one of the best in our fair city!…read more Sharon is personable, kind, knowledgeable & an art collector, too. In addition to the regular new artist rotation for the monthly Gallery Hops, Sharon often adds new artwork into the existing collection. I feel Sharon's Gallery, along with Marcia's & Studios on High, are holding the line to keep the Short North a viable Arts District.

    When went into Sharon Weiss Gallery and spoke with owner Sharon Weiss, she told me that antique…read morecollecting is in her blood, that it's a trait she inherited from her mother and grandmother. She said her true love is Americana, but her gallery is not overwhelmed with the stuff, which was good for me because it's not really my bag. Alongside antiques, Sharon showcases contemporary art by Ohio artists. Mediums shown include pastels, oils, watercolors, prints, and sculpture. The paintings feature many colorful landscape and still-life scenes. The gallery is stylized to reflect a home. The idea is that it will make the white walls less sterile, making it easier for shoppers to envision the pieces in their own homes. Amongst artists exhibited in the gallery is Daniel Ferlan, whose works were named in the "Best Visual Arts Events" article in The Columbus Dispatch; Sharon proudly displays the article in her storefront window. Personally, I love Daniel's stuff: big-headed children running traveling through nightmare fairytales. I'm big on oxymorons. On special Gallery Hops, if you manage to make it around the swarm of people waiting in line at Jeni's Ice Creams and down E Lincoln St, you'll see artists, maybe a painter or a potter, making art in Sharon's window. I love works in progress.

    Photos
    Sharon tries to create a at-home feel.
    Sharon tries to create a at-home feel.
    Sharon tries to create a at-home feel.
    Sharon tries to create a at-home feel.
    Sharon Weiss Gallery

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    Adamah Ceramics

    Adamah Ceramics

    5.0
    (4 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    FUNKY & UNIQUE pieces!…read more Found this gallery on my walk from the hotel to the restaurant strip and decided to stop in. The shop owner was staying late since it was a busy evening so I got to parooz and admire all the works of art. I really liked the layout of the gallery, was very mindfully laid out and not too packed but still enough pieces to keep you interested for quite a while. I liked that there was also a section of photography so that kind of gave the gallery some variety. There was also a nice variety of functional ceramic pieces along with some classic decor pieces and also some super funky and eclectic decor pieces! The owner mentioned they hold shows and rotate artists through monthly so that's super cool to keep the gallery interesting and worth frequent trips! Prices were high, as to be expected with any specialty art, but not insanely high. For someone wanting to purchase art I think the prices were reasonable and affordable to most people who want to prioritize a purchase on artwork. Great gallery and worth a stop!!!

    As soon as you walk in to the gallery, the space is so inviting. The owner and the studio assistant…read moreare so nice. They are always switching things around in there so everything is really fresh. They also offer throwing classes and open studio, which I love because I have been looking for somewhere to throw and this is the best option. It gets a lot of light and the windows are very big. It's really a wonderful space. You have to check it out and pop in if you ever want to throw like I did.

    Photos
    Adamah Ceramics
    Adamah Ceramics

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    The Pizzuti Collection

    The Pizzuti Collection

    4.5
    (11 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    The Pizzuti Collection is now home to Bar Room, a really cool Jamaican permanent art installation…read moreand working bar located inside of the museum. It is an homage to Skankland, Columbus' first reggae bar, and a nod to Roots Records, Columbus' first and only reggae focused record shop. Both of these businesses are gone now, which is what makes this bar so very cool. The atmosphere is joyous and just very special. The drinks are all very good, and they have a really good Jamaican menu featuring jerked chicken, ox tail and vegetarian pies. All delicious. There is a $5 admission fee if you are not a Columbus Museum of Art member, but I renewed our membership because this place made it so worth it. You might be able to get a free pass through the Columbus Metropolitan Library too, but I seriously recommend getting a CMA annual membership to support great art like this.

    Attended a reception at the Columbus Museum of Art at The Pizzuti during a conference last week…read more The current museum exhibition (Las Vegas Ikebana: Maren Hassinger and Senga Nengudi) showcased some interesting works, including several dance-related pieces, a seesaw titled "See-See Riders", Sadness be Gone! Forever (ink on paper), and a video focusing on the color green. The setup of the displays made the rooms feel bare, but it was good for a quick walkthrough. I was actually more captivated by the lovely sculptures outside, surrounding the building. There were about 4 or 5 that I was able to check out while I was there (Jim Hodges' artwork is particularly unique and impressive).

    Photos
    Outdoor sculptures
    Outdoor sculptures
    Exterior sculpture
    Exterior sculpture
    Exterior sculpture

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    Exterior sculpture

    Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery - galleries - Updated July 2026

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