Akron's Harris Stanton Gallery has unveiled plans to open a second location in Cleveland's Warehouse District this summer.
Located at 1370 West Ninth Street (literally a stone's throw from the Scene headquarters), the new gallery will showcase a variety of 20th and 21st Century collections, ranging in style from traditional to abstract contemporary and will include oils, pastels, watercolors, ceramics, sculpture, glass, photography, jewelry, and original graphics.
Newly appointed gallery director Ellie Kaiser said gallery owner Meg Harris Stanton had been toying with the idea of opening a second location in Cleveland for some time now, but was waiting for the right time to expand. "We've been looking around for a space for the last year and half or so," Kaiser said. "The [West Ninth Street location] really speaks to our needs to build on both our residential and corporate clients."
Kaiser said the new gallery will feature unique art exhibits, different than those shown at the Akron location, and that her team will also sell artwork, provide custom framing, and offer residential and corporate appraisals, consultations, and installations.
Additionally, Kaiser said she hopes the gallery can contribute to downtown Cleveland's vibrant nightlife scene and offer another dimension that compliments the Warehouse District's dining and bar hopping experience. "Our hope is that the gallery adds a little culture to the nightlife in the area," she said. We hope residents will swing by an opening or exhibit before going out for the night, she said.
During a typical year, the gallery will have five proper art gallery openings. For certain exhibitions, Kaiser said the gallery is already looking for ways to partner with other area retailers and restaurants, such as Braza, for an upcoming show on Latin American art.
To launch, the gallery will kick off with an exhibit featuring five Northeast Ohio artists who were featured in the 2012 book, 100 Midwest Artists. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, June 6 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. and is open to the public. The gallery will officially open the following week.
"We are really excited to be part of the renaissance that Cleveland is experiencing," Kaiser said.