ArtSpace/Lima kicks off the "Open Wall" Exhibit Tuesday evening

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Many local artists put their creative skills on display Tuesday night at an inaugural art exhibit in Lima.

ArtSpace/Lima hosted their first "Open Wall" event Tuesday evening with local artists using a variety of mediums like painting, photography, digital media, glass, and even drawing to express their imagination. The "Open Wall" event acts like an "Open Mic" event, and the idea started over 50 years ago when a freelance artist smuggled one of his paintings into a famous art gallery in Germany for his 15 minutes of fame. Thus, ArtSpace/Lima wanted to give west-central Ohio artists their 15 minutes of fame and show the community the impact art has on them.

"I actually went to school with Sally's sister and always loved ArtSpace, but it's a huge honor to be shown in a gallery, and that's exactly the point of this show. You know, people who had never really had a chance to have their work, and so I gave them a whole lot of stuff," says Sue Smith, Artist.

"It's amazing to see what the other artists have done and be inspired by them, and I love that I was able to have others see my work, and it brings me just so much joy when I can see others seeing what I have made," says Katherine Gratz, Artist.

"This is a rich community of creatives, so to have all that creative energy and talent right here and then to give them an opportunity to show is not only a nice opportunity for them, but this is what ArtSpace does. We want to reach out. Our young people are our next generation of people that are going to be in here, and we want to make sure that they feel some ownership," says Sally Windle, Executive Director, ArtSpace/Lima.

The "Open Wall" exhibit continues through July 19th.