What an experience. Holiday Hop usually garners an impressive turnout, but this one was, truly, spectacular. To start the day, (614) Magazine hit newsstands with this awesome 83 origins article. Inside the gallery, the ready walls looked amazing after a week-long effort; Maddy Beaumier’s usual fantastic work was accompanied by a celebrity hang from Nick Stull.

Experts in asymmetric symmetry.

83 Resident Adam Hernandez had the front covered, with his indigenous-influence window mural. The Dispatch featured it, and he deserved the recognition after way too much time spent in the cold.

Doubles for the impending Mayan Apocalypse.

We always expect opening night energy from the bands and usually get it, but Wooden Teeth and Apes managed to out-pace the future with their sets. The former brought good-old-fashioned rock with a twinge of psychedelic and soul, while the latter overflowed with straight-up soul and rhythm. The gallery turned into a sweaty grooving heap for both acts, and no one seemed to mind.

Decent turnout.

CoMo Dance kept everyone involved in between the music with their performance piece Object. Like their new Facebook page to learn more about what these very talented ladies do.

Yes, I discovered the panoramic function on my iPhone.

The usual shout-outs go to artists, friends, and family for representing. Also, you wouldn’t believe how many PBRs we went through; thanks Pabst Blue Ribbon Ohio. Finally, thanks to our engineer buddy Tim for a huge 83-branded LED sign. That sign, our bright tree decked in pornaments (or hornyments or whorenaments), and you all lit up our lives this weekend. Thank you. We’ll be back later this month with some big news.

Cropper knows best. Happy Holidays.

November marks 83 Gallery’s fifth anniversary as a thriving landmark for the arts in Columbus. It seems like only yesterday we were putting together “house shows” in the basement of 83 W 1st Ave, equipped with a few dozen pieces of art, a case of beer, a bottle of champagne, and a dream…

The celebration commenced during last Saturday’s gallery hop, with the opening of a new breathtaking group exhibit comprised of over 30 of the cities top artistic talents. Featured artists Jason Biundo and Brandon Ballog were definite crowd favorites, while new work from 83′s resident artists Brent Elam, Joss Parker, Tom Grebinski, Jimbo Tamaro, April Deacon and Pam Ashton continued to impress. The Pink Flamingos and Bosswood rocked the house,  PBR Columbus kept us stocked with beer throughout the evening, and our fiftieth champagne toast at 10pm was the icing on the cake.

The night was made special not only from all of the above mentioned attractions, but from the turnout and support from all the artists, musicians, collaborators, patrons and friends that make us who we are, and make Columbus a truly inspiring and innovative city. Thank you.

Cheers guys, and we’ll see you next month for Holiday Hop!!

Amidst the non-stop hustle that is 83, it’s often difficult for us to take time to appreciate those that affect us and we affect. September’s Gallery Hop was a reminder. To cap off a summer long partnership with Polar Entertainment, our good friend J Rawls and his partner-in-crime DJ O Sharp presented a massive Hip Hop showcase/festival that took up the entire Mikey’s Late Night Slice parking lot next door. The artists represented the past, present, and future of local hip hop, and crushed it all night despite consistent rain (which, in my opinion, only added to the epic feel). After spending time with everyone present, I truly felt the weight and community the event invoked. The impact J and O have had on emerging hip hop artists for the past decade and a half is what we strive for today, with emerging visual artists.

Packed (and pixelated, sorry).

Copywrite CRUSHED.

Considering the scale of the outdoor show, we handed it to 83 and Mikey’s regulars Mat Franklin (of Cadaver Dogs) and The Apes to hold it down inside. Neither disappointed, and shot the already steamy temperatures up. Especially Franklin. Luckily, PBR Columbus continued their strong support for 83 with coolers and aquariums full of cold ones.

Franklin heats it up.

PBR cools it down.

The artwork is fantastic as always, and continues to challenge the local status quo in diversity and range. This month’s featured artists are Rylan Beer and newly-minted resident Adam Hernandez. I can’t do it justice online, so stop by if you haven’t already. The exhibition will remain up until September 29.