Renovations are underway at Heights Arts

Heights Arts's renovated exhibition area is slated for completion by mid-August.

Last year, Heights Arts was honored to receive a transformative donation from the Jean, Harry and Brenda Fuchs Family Foundation. It was the largest single gift in the nonprofit arts organization’s 15 year history, and was designated in part to provide ongoing improvements to its 2,400-square-foot exhibition/performance/retail space at 2175 Lee Road.

Heights Arts staff and board members worked with John Williams of Process Creative Studios to determine how the gallery could be re-configured to provide an enhanced space for multi-disciplinary programs, offer spotlight art exhibitions in addition to the six main exhibitions each year, and better display the works for sale by local artists and artisans in the retail shop. Construction began in mid-June and is expected to conclude in mid-August.

Planned renovations entail the relocation of walls to create a more-open, flexible area for community events and exhibitions; addition of carpet to improve acoustics for Heights Arts's expanding calendar of gallery concerts and classes; a centralized sales desk with better sightlines; and revitalized displays for showcasing the jewelry, ceramics, hand-blown glass, prints, photographs, stationery and homewares created by more than 70 local and regional artists.

“The renovated space will enable us to expand our programming and hold performances in the gallery, and to better define who we are and what we do. Many people who visit the gallery shop are unaware that all of the items on display are created by local artists and artisans—a high percentage of whom are Heights residents,” explained Rachel Bernstein, Heights Arts executive director.

In recognition of the generosity of the Fuchs family and its commitment to the creative spirit of the Heights, the newly renovated exhibition area will be renamed the Jean, Harry and Brenda Fuchs Family Gallery, with a spotlight exhibition of paintings by Brenda Fuchs as part of Heights Arts’s reopening celebration in September.

In the meantime, Heights Arts continues to serve the Heights community duirng the renovation. The gallery shop temporarily has moved next door, to 2169 Lee Road, with normal gallery hours from Tuesday through Saturday.

“You will still be able to find all the unique, creative, high-quality art and gifts which directly support our local talent. At the same time, we are sponsoring a wonderful, collaborative exhibition in which the entire community can participate, at the Mandel Jewish Community Center, through Aug. 2. We will also be providing arts activities at a number of summer festivals, including the Cain Park and Larchmere arts festivals,” commented Bernstein.

For more information on Heights Arts programming and opportunities for community involvement, visit www.heightsarts.org, or call 216-371-3457.

Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan is marketing and communications coordinator at Heights Arts.

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Volume 8, Issue 7, Posted 11:05 AM, 06.16.2015