By Anastasia Glogowski

South Campus Gateway, which has long been a destination for Indie film fans, boutique shoppers and hungry students, is now welcoming a few new neighbors.

The Arts Initiative at the Ohio State University is partnering with Ohio Art League, Couchfire Collective and local emerging artists to present Arts in the Alley, a new artistic community on North High Street between 9th and 11th avenues. The initiative's objective has always been to create partnerships between the surrounding arts community and the university and the Arts in the Alley project is a perfect fulfillment of that mission.

The venture also aims to bring cultural and economic vitality to Columbus, while giving up-and-coming artists the opportunity to showcase their art. While the students who currently head to High Street for a meal or a night out are likely to check out the new additions to the alley, it is expected that a wider audience will now frequent the Gateway as well.

Three venues in the Gateway alley will present exhibitions featuring rising artists and performers with a kickoff on Oct. 8 The Arts Initiative’s offices at 1568 N. High St. will host Works by Ian Magargee, a recent OSU graduate.

The Ohio Art League’s new home at 1552 N. High St. will welcome friends old and new to view Dreamsters Union, a solo exhibition by Joey Monsoon. Upcoming programs organized by Couchfire Collective will also appear in the Ohio Art League space, which will be overseen by Eliza Jones.

A third location in the Alley is reserved for teams of emerging digital and visual artists, dancers and theater professionals. Their collaborative efforts and multimedia artwork will be a unique addition to the arts scene in Columbus, and their venue at 1570 N. High St. offers family programming, classes and art sales. 

For more information about Arts in the Alley visit www.artsinitiative.osu.edu/alley.