The Gathering Space

A group exhibition that turned an art gallery into a temporary bookstore, tea shop, and “living room” for Cincinnati opened August 26th, 2017 at Wave Pool.

How can a white box become an organic, warm, and inviting space for community? This group exhibition transformed the gallery into an open living room for Camp Washington. San Francisco’s Adobe Books founder and proprietor for 25 years, Andrew McKinley, joined us in transforming the gallery into a bookstore, photography studio, and gathering place. Local artists and partners programed and ‘un-programed’ the space with group reading, working, play and hanging out. This exhibition created a murmuration of the community, building experiences and connections that aim to outlast the temporality of the gallery installation.

In addition to Andrew McKinley, the exhibition included tea and pastries from refugees and immigrants who work with Heartfelt Tidbits, a giant beanbag sculptures created by PLOP!, and a create-station art making installation by Indigo-Hippo. Events and interactions were produced by and in collaboration with Mary Clare Reitz, Lara Allen, Joshua Kruer and Chase Public. Please read below for more detailed information about each event.

The exhibition was available for interaction from August 26th – September 30th. There was a closing event on September 28th in conjunction with a pop-up exhibition by the Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Curatorial Studies class in the upstairs gallery.