The Year In Review

Our visual arts landscape in 2005 was in constant flux. Whether you missed something or simply need a reminder, here's a condensed account. ...

The most notable new spot on our horizon is the spanking new ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI (AAC), which moved to 1212 Jackson St. in Over-the-Rhine in August. The facility, the result of an extensive capital campaign and remarkable vision, offers students more classrooms, more studio space, more exhibition space -- in a word, just "more." AAC's Chidlaw Gallery moved with it and now solely supports student exhibitions, while the new PEARLMAN GALLERY is poised to present an intriguing array of outside artists, with the capable Hollis Hammonds (formerly Laura Hollis of The Artery) at the helm. This spacious (almost industrial) building is light years away from the AAC's long-time home in Eden Park, now owned by the Cincinnati Art Museum. It remains to be seen what will become of that historic building, which housed the AAC since 1887, but something tells me "expansion" is in the works, not just "preservation." Stay tuned for updates. ...

This year also marked the opening of MANIFEST CREATIVE RESEARCH AND DRAWING CENTER in East Walnut Hills. After an auspicious beginning in January, the gallery presented an incredibly strong inaugural lineup, with exhibitions focused on both traditional and contemporary media by local and national artists. Manifest emphasizes drawing, dedicating one of two gallery spaces to drawing during each exhibition. In addition, the gallery highlights the relationship between design and visual art. These goals combined with fantastic and innovative exhibitions have made Manifest Gallery one of my favorite spaces to visit. I'm eager to see what 2006 will bring. ...

After re-opening in 2004, the TAFT MUSEUM OF ART kept the city's attention with a series of captivating exhibitions, including the Impressionist Eye: Painting and Sculpture from the Phillip and Janice Levin Foundation. Featuring works by Renoir, Degas, Monet and more, the exhibition was a dazzling display of the ethereal beauty of the Impressionist style. Displaying decidedly different techniques, Black Is a Color: African American Art from the Corcoran Gallery of Art featured works predominantly black and white by African-American artists addressing a variety of social and spiritual issues. The exhibition was a dramatic and thought-provoking shift from typical fare at the Taft Museum. I hope 2006 will bring more like it. ...

In addition to some fresh faces on the old, 2005 also saw some new faces in the gallery circuit. Main Street welcomed 1305 GALLERY, managed by artist and DAAP graduate Lily Mulberry. She's programmed an innovative lineup of artists this year, featuring work ranging from traditional prints and paintings to more contemporary mixed media. Given her stimulating inaugural season, I can't wait to see what she has in store for 2006. ...

Downtown also welcomed the new FIFTH STREET GALLERY (Fifth and Race streets). Self-described as a "coalition of artists," the gallery features a wide range of work from 10 artists, including painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, glass and even a florist. Organizer Ober-Rae Starr Livingstone also refers to the space as "the shop," since the facility is as much a retail space as it is an exhibition space. The artists came together to increase visibility of their work, but they're also interested in selling. Their strategy is working. ...

There's another new kid on the block: UNIVERSITY GALLERIES ON SYCAMORE, near the intersection of Sixth and Sycamore. It's the latest in the family of galleries managed by UC's College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP) and their newest off-campus gallery. Opened in October, this one has already created a buzz, partly because DAAP is known for spotlighting innovative and fascinating work, but mostly because the work seen so far is just that: fascinating. Its debut featured The Photographs of Paul Briol and WordArt, organized by the Book Arts Society, in spaces that will feature rotating exhibitions during the year, some student, others local and regional artists. Also on permanent view are works from UC's historic collection of paintings. ...

Yet 2005, as each year before it, saw some disappointing gallery closings -- I can only hope that the talented individuals behind them will soon re-appear. {M} (an ultra modern gallery), the Covington space created and operated by the effervescent Mason Paul, closed its doors this fall with no immediate plans to re-open. Dedicated to showcasing local contemporary art and artists, {M} provided a truly absorbing assortment of work, and I'm sorry to see it go. Rumors abound that Paul is considering space on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine -- but currently nothing is confirmed. Check Look Here in 2006 for updates. ...

Amid a flurry of events and rumors, THE MOCKBEE in Brighton has closed up shop -- most likely for good. When volunteer Executive Director Chris Daniel announced his resignation in late September, the remaining trustees took only a few days to decide to close. Without a trusted volunteer to oversee the facility and with no one on the horizon interested in the job, the closing was inevitable. Since 2001, The Mockbee, originally known as SSNOVA, allowed many unknown and first-time artists, performers and events to find a brief home. Its closing is truly regrettable; perhaps someday another young entrepreneur will take it on. ...

Stay tuned: 2006 promises to be remarkable.