It started with a handful of galleries, and not many more visitors.

But since its inaugural year in 1984, the Short North’s Gallery Hop has completely surpassed its humble beginnings, blossoming into a bona fide arts event for those from all walks of life.

Gallery Hop began as little more than a joint gallery show, says John Angelo, executive director of the Short North Business Association. Around the same time it began, he says, the Short North began to experience a resurgence of shops and galleries, slowly transforming the once-uninspired strip into an arts-laden district. Six of these establishments – pm gallery, ArtReach, Michael Allen Gallery, Ritchey's at 714, HandMotions and UNICEF – began hosting exhibit openings at the same time.

“It was very commercial in concept,” Angelo says. “It was a marketing plan to get more people down to look at what was in the galleries. According to Maria (Galloway, owner of pm gallery), the first couple hops were kind of pitiful. They were lucky if they had 300 people come down.”

Now, Angelo says, the numbers reflect a much different experience. Gallery Hop attracts approximately 100,000 people annually to the Short North area, typically along High Street between Goodale Boulevard and Fifth Avenue. Depending on the month or weather, each hop might attract 5,000 to 10,000 people. The two biggest hops, in July and December, attract approximately 20,000 visitors apiece.

Gallery Hop’s visitors are as diverse as the art they come to admire. A recent random survey of 400 attendees revealed revelers from 99 different zip codes.

“People come from all over,” Angelo says. “One of the great things about the hop is its eclectic nature. It really is a mosaic of personalities and demographics. You’ll find ages from 20 to 80 and a broad range of socio-economic levels. You’ll have people in suits going to Hyde Park Steakhouse, and then you’ll have people who are absolutely tattooed from finger to toe going next door.”

When it comes to promoting Columbus as a tourist destination, Gallery Hop is one of the city’s crown jewel events, says Pete McGinty, vice president of marketing for Experience Columbus and a longtime Columbus resident.

“We use it quite a bit in our promotions,” he says. “It’s one of Columbus’ signature events. It’s a product that helps create an arts and cultural scene using the Short North as a foundation.”

McGinty says Gallery Hop allows visitors to familiarize themselves with Downtown Columbus.

“It draws people downtown to sample what’s in the Short North. They get to see the galleries and the restaurants and the retail,” he says. “Then they might decide to come back at a time when there’s not a Gallery Hop.”

Among those drawn to Gallery Hop are travel writers: national publications such as The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune have written glowing reviews about the Short North and Gallery Hop, and Ohio Magazine named it the “Best Arts Event in the State.” Another indicator of Gallery Hop’s success is the emergence of similar affairs around Central Ohio, from Bexley and Grandview to Clintonville and Gahanna.

“As other cities and districts create other hops, I think Columbus is big enough that we have room for all of that,” McGinty says. “We have unique districts here that all bring their own elements to the party. There’s something for everyone. The more the merrier.”

Angelo says Short North businesses are nurturing Gallery Hop as it continues to grow – new ideas include an event map for visitors and increasing collaboration with the Columbus Convention Center. However, Angelo says staying faithful to Gallery Hop’s artistic roots will continue to be the No. 1 priority, with intensified promotion of artists and events, as well as grants to encourage professional performers to participate.

“The district is redoubling its efforts to make sure art remains as the focal point of Gallery Hop,” he says. “We want to make sure we continue to stretch and feature the best visual arts and performing arts that we’re capable of. The trick is to not be complacent with where we are.”

Kate Lohnes is assistant editor of CityScene.


If you Go: Gallery Hop celebrates its 25-year anniversary September 2009 through August 2010; December’s Gallery Hop, set for Saturday, Dec. 5, will officially commemorate the anniversary. For more information, visit the Short North Business Association at www.shortnorth.org.

Bonus: The Sharon Weiss Gallery, located at 20 E. Lincoln St., is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Visit www.sharonweissgallery.com for more information, or call 614-291-5683.