Columbus may not exactly be considered a mecca of art, but one Short North gallery owner is working to change that image.
Lynne Muskoff, director of Gallery V, said she opened the gallery in 1993 in an attempt to make fine art available to all Columbus art lovers, “from the beginning ‘looker’ to the experienced collector.”
“People spend their money on houses and cars in Columbus. They’ll spend a fortune on furniture, but you look at what they have on their walls and you want to cry. People think you have to go to New York and Chicago to buy art, but it’s just not true,” Muskoff said.
The Short North location has been critical to their success. Muskoff said she chose the location for the gallery because “even back then, it was the burgeoning art center of Columbus. I wouldn’t have my gallery anywhere else. It’s the only place where people can come, regardless of their economic status social status, or sexual orientation, and buy art. It’s a very creative area that inspires creative ideas.”
“It’s good to see a gallery that has established some longevity and prosperity in Columbus, and it’s great to see artists benefit from that,” said Stephen Pentak, professor of fine arts at Ohio State, who has held two exhibitions at Gallery V.
He believes that the gallery’s biggest asset is its willingness to continue changing and evolving, rather than relying on ideas that have worked in the past.
Both Muskoff and gallery manager Candice Madey have a passion for art that they hope to pass on to visitors of Gallery V.
“One of my favorite things to do is to sell someone their first piece of art, because you know that it’s an experience that will stick with them forever,” Muskoff said.
“You don’t have to spend big money to get great art. Buy what appeals to you. The best way to train your eye is to visit galleries. If you’re only looking at the nationally known artists, you’re trading in on someone else’s expertise and eye to buy art,” she said.
Madey is particularly fond of art students who come in to view exhibits. “Art history students, who are used to being in class and talking about art, are my favorite. Even if they don’t buy anything, it’s great to get their opinions and talk about art.”
They both love gallery hops because they help get young people into galleries and more comfortable with galleries, so they won’t be as intimidated when they’re ready to buy art.
Gallery V has presented 65 separate exhibits of original art since its opening. It originally hosted a majority of work from Ohio artists, but it has grown to feature regional, national and international artists working in a variety of media, prices and styles.
“We choose artists whose works speak to our heart, mind and eye,” Muskoff said.
“It is a professional gallery, so they don’t feature student work,” Pentak said, “but they do keep their eye out for emerging artists and will sometimes feature younger, up-and-coming artists.”
The gallery does not house any permanent artwork, and hosts a new exhibit every five to six weeks.
“A lot of galleries don’t do it that way, but there are a lot of artists to expose,” Muskoff said. “About 3,500 students get their MFA (master’s in fine arts) in this country each year. If they’ve gotten an MFA, they’re wonderful artists, but they won’t all be recognized nationally.”
The latest show, “Visual Dialogues,” was set up around a theme of math, logic and physics. The show features art from Kelly Dietrick, Christian J. Faur and Ron Johnson, an Ohio State alumnus.
“Visually, all three of the artists look so different, but they’re all thinking about the same things. Three people can look at a similar concept and express it in three completely different ways,” Madey said.
The show opening attracted one of the largest crowds the gallery has ever had, with 150 to 200 people. If an artist is from out of town, or not nationally known, the turnout will be around 30 people, Muskoff said.
Since Madey joined the gallery in 2001, rounding out the current staff of two, the gallery focus has been on getting a good buzz out and attracting a younger crowd.
Gallery V strives to provide people with a comfortable, friendly place to enjoy and buy art, Muskoff said. They offer a time payment system, various framing options and other services to help the customer. The majority of their customers are repeat buyers who have grown to trust and respect the gallery.
Both Muskoff and Madey feel that the art culture in Columbus is gradually shifting, thanks to the Short North gallery hops and the Wexner Center.
“The Wexner Center has put Columbus on the map in terms of art. Columbus has been popping up in the New York Times and Art in America, because of the Wexner Center,” Madey said, “it takes more time to understand a work of art than it does to watch a 30 second commercial. But people reach a point where they’re hungry for substance and to use their mind.”
