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PrintModern furnishings in the Short North
LINES THAT SHINE Tim Friar opened Grid Furnishings in the Short North in November to bring modern furniture lines to this part of the country—you no longer have to drive to one of the coasts to find smaller, proportioned furniture designed for people who appreciate art. Customers will find exclusive, moderately priced furnishings that are handcrafted or custom-made by designers, artists and craftspeople throughout the U.S. and Canada.
A graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design, Friar utilizes the talent right here—many of his designers have connections with CCAD, and some of the ceramic accessories are by local artists. There also are pieces by Minneapolis-based Blu Dot and Toronto-based Gus*Modern. Independent furniture makers and artists include Areaware, Bomb Factory, Modern Farm and Forest City Fabricators. I also liked the work of Objeti, a Cleveland-based design firm named new designer of the year in 2010 by a panel at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.
Beds, sofas and tables are available in various sizes, and you often have a choice of color. A unique piece I saw was a bicycle stool by John Arthur that could be used for seating or as an art piece. It’s made of parts retrieved from a bicycle store that opened in 1883.
Grid Furnishings, 944 N. High St. (between First and Second avenues), 725-4292; gridfurnishings.com. Open Wed-Sat 11:30 am-7:30 pm, Sun-Mon 1-5 pm; closed Tue. There are extended hours during Gallery Hops.
MADE TO ORDER M Renee Design offers unique accessories for the modern woman. Designer Monica Warren creates eye-catching, handmade jewelry using gold, sterling silver and precious and semiprecious stones. In 2008, Warren took a jewelry-making class at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center. That started her career of creating wearable art sold through a website, home jewelry parties and trunk shows.
You can see some of her pieces at mreneedesign.com. If you have something specific in mind, this local designer can do it—she’s been known to make a piece to complement a client’s outfit or purse. Prices vary, but earrings usually are $20 to $35, necklaces $40 to $70, bracelets $30 to $50 and matching sets (necklace and earrings or bracelet and earrings) $45 to $85. Custom-made items are more expensive.
Jewelry parties can be held at the host’s home, place of employment or special event. Warren attends to answer questions or consult about a personal piece. For more information, call her at 579-7918.
EMERGING TALENT At the Roy G Biv nonprofit gallery in the Short North, you just might have the opportunity to buy a piece by the next great artist. This independent art space presents challenging works by emerging artists from around the country, with an emphasis on those in Ohio.
Works by new artists usually are more affordable than those by established ones, according to gallery director Justin Luna. Roy G Biv nurtures artists who choose to live and work in Ohio and who might not otherwise be able to find a venue to exhibit their work. The gallery has about 80 members and also is supported by local contributors and arts organizations. The artists exhibiting in January are photographer Jerry Birchfield and painter Dragana Crnjak.
Roy G Biv, 997 N. High St., 297-7694; roygbivgallery.org. Open Wed-Fri 3-6 pm, Sat 1-5 pm and by appointment. It also stays open during monthly Gallery Hops.
ART CLEARANCE Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s 17th annual Art Studio Clearance Sale is scheduled for Jan. 29 and 30 in the Lausche Building at the Ohio Expo Center. This year’s event will feature limited-edition and one-of-a-kind art and craft items by 150 artists, many of whom have exhibited at the Columbus Arts Festival and Winterfair. Prices typically are 20 percent or more below regular prices. Shoppers purchase directly from the artists. The sale is Jan. 29 from 10 am to 5 pm and Jan. 30 from noon to 5 pm. Admission is $6; ODC members and children 12 and under are free. You may ask for a free return pass. For more information, call 486-3935.
