Celebrating the Arts
Jennifer Sparks has always enjoyed celebrating the arts. Just recently, she decided to turn that passion into a profession as she opened Pique Galleria in East Walnut Hills.
Pique Galleria started out as a project in Mt. Adams that primarily supported and showcased aspiring art students. Then, last summer, Sparks decided to expand the concept and move into her own space in East Walnut Hills. She officially opened Pique Galleria in August 2013.
“I moved the gallery to East Walnut Hills and expanded the concept to include local artists who needed a venue to sell their work,” Sparks explains, adding that her goal for the gallery is to appeal to those who are just getting started as art collectors. “Everyone can buy art. Pique: Provoke, Kindle, Challenge, Evoke, Galvanize, Engender, Incite, Inspire, Stimulate, Intrigue.”
Sparks says art should arouse an emotion and inspire you to feel and connect with something bigger and deeper than yourself. “Original art isn’t something you just hang or place in your home,” she adds, “it’s a piece of someone’s creative spirit, their heart, their failure and ultimate success.”
Visitors to Pique Galleria will find a variety of local art. In fact, Sparks is currently looking for more artists to join in on the fun and get involved at the gallery by showcasing their work.
In order to highlight more work, she rotates the gallery every month. On January 24, the Woodburn Avenue business district is hosting a “Walk on Woodburn” to coincide with Manifest Gallery’s opening reception schedule. Sparks will be featuring new pieces and artists for this event.
While the Tri-State is home to many art galleries, and each is unique, Sparks says it’s the rotation of artists and energy that takes over the space to change it every month that makes Pique Galleria extra special.
What Sparks loves most about the gallery is selling a piece of work to a first time buyer. “The excitement of owning the art and taking it home and finding a place for it to live is priceless,” she says. “Often, the artist is not at the gallery to experience the sale, so I enjoy telling the artist who bought their work and why.”
On the horizon, Sparks looks forward to more events – private and public – at the gallery. East Walnut Hills is a rapidly growing neighborhood, Sparks says, and she hopes that the gallery is an integral part of the growth by consistantly bringing new faces to the area.
To learn more, “like” them on Facebook, call (513) 675-7585, or visit at 2803 Woodburn Avenue in Cincinnati. There’s plenty of free parking on Woodburn Ave. as well as a free lot off Myrtle Ave. behind the gallery, Sparks adds.
