What makes the Short North an “Arts District?”
by William Ashley
Shakespeare once wrote, “The object of art is to give life a shape.” Arguably, this was never more true than in the case of Columbus’ premier arts district, the beloved Short North. History tells the tale of this decrepit, derelict area named not-so-fondly by Columbus police because of its location – short of The Ohio State University and north of Downtown Columbus. Yet, the district took a turn for the better and gentrification began once the artists and art galleries moved in during the 20th century. Cheap rent and lots of space made the perfect location for these cash-strapped bohemians.
Fast-forward to the early 21st century and the Short North was urban, progressive, popular, and pricey. It was, quintessentially, the place to be. Along with art galleries, numerous watering holes and restaurants lined High Street and, as loyal outlook readers know, the GLBT population moved in for the makeover. The monthly Gallery Hop brought out the locals and brought in the visitors in staggering numbers, and annual events such as High Ball, Pride and ComFest gave the area an image of gutsy, relentless fun. Shakespeare was oh-so right: art eventually gave a shape to life in the Short North.
Then, it hit: The Great Recession. The year 2008 saw an end to luxury living of all sorts for varying income classes, and priceless pieces of art were among the first to go on many lists of expenditures. The art galleries started to leave the Short North and a little color went out of our cheeks. “Going Out of Business Sale” signs permeated High Street and the air was heavy with the severity of the national economic collapse.
A diminishing of the art galleries, a halt on the production of architecturally stimulating housing facilities, a void of large music venues… what “artistic” elements are left in the Short North after the recession struck? Its inhabitants and visitors are forced to wonder, What exactly makes the Short North an “arts district?” If the district lost its art and its shine, then will it have a shape in the Columbus community?
“This is something we ask ourselves often,” said Maria Galloway, owner of PM Gallery in the Short North. “The galleries, at the core, are what make an Arts District. However, they cannot do it alone and that is where the Short North is strong. Every business has an artistic essence, from salons and restaurants that hang and sell original art to the artistic flair visible in the clothing stores and specialty retail. The events, like Gallery Hop, Art al Fresco, and High Ball, all have art at their core. The ‘feel’ of the neighborhood is essential.”
The “feel” of the neighborhood, eh? Galloway’s argument is strong, especially after taking an observational stroll down High Street. Skip the hot boys, the restaurant signs with drink specials, and the visiting suburbanites with their Cup O’ Joe in one hand and a leashed poodle in the other. Instead, take in the paintings sprawled across the sides of buildings, the details in the famous Short North arches, and the jovial nature of the faces inside the store windows. You’ll see what Galloway is talking about: there’s an underlying sense of art in every brick building and crack in the cement.
Jami Goldstein, vice-president of marketing, communications, and events for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, expanded on Galloway’s notion of the more-than-physical nature of the Short North’s artsiness. “From my experience and travels, the [arts district] is not just created through a measure of how many galleries an area has, but a combination of a number of factors that include the attitude and ambiance of the area, the willingness of businesses to work cooperatively and to display local artists work, even if they are not a gallery. Certainly this is true, to a great extent, in the Short North…restaurants, hair salons…many different kinds of businesses support local artists by displaying their work. In addition, places like Surly Girl host artsy events such as Crafty Cotillion. There are festivals, public art, and murals and concerts in Goodale Park to consider, as well,” she said.
Art, itself, has a flexible and controversial definition. Is it just a physical manifestation of someone’s creativity, or is it an indefinable, natural essence? In the case of the latter, then the recent loss of some art galleries won’t have an effect on the artsy feel of the Short North. We can chalk it up to a cyclic economic disaster, one that comes and goes in time. Goldstein said it best: “While it’s always unfortunate to lose a gallery, there is the general economic business climate to consider presently.”
So, what’s in store for the Short North? Some say that further gentrification will ruin the aura of the area. Galloway disagrees, saying that the economic recovery might usher in a new emphasis on unique restaurants over galleries. “My fear, back in the early days, was that the galleries would be replaced by chain stores and t-shirt shops going after the conventional trade. That has not happened. Instead we have seen a steady advance of the restaurants, but not chain restaurants. Almost every one is unique and owner operated, just like all the other retail and galleries in the Short North. What we may be seeing is the birth of a Restaurant Row, which is a hallmark of a major city. Time will tell, of course,” she concluded.
William Ashley is a contributing writer for outlook: columbus, as well as, our ginger in the field and #2 ginger in the great ginger take over of 2010.
