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Ricky Borgia wanted to bring the arts to the community where he lives and bring the community where he lives to the arts.
A vision in mind, he began working diligently to organize a small fine-arts exhibition in his neighborhood.
Its purpose would be twofold: to draw art lovers and culture seekers to the Northland area east of I-71, between the Interstate 270 outerbelt and Morse Road, and to give his neighbors an opportunity to experience art in their own community.
With the support and help of Elevate Northland Director Judith Cockrell, Borgia saw his vision take shape and grow into Northland Exposed — NLX for short — which is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Elevate Northland, 4848 Evanswood Drive. Free reservations can be made at bit.ly/3KnLpv6.
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“We want to draw attention to this region and to the (nearly) 100,000 diverse residents. Creativity goes hand-in-hand with community,” he said.
Northland Exposed (NLX)
“This event is family-oriented; it’s for all ages and no particular demographic. My desire was to get the people who live here to see what type of resources are here in the Columbus area because the arts here are bourgeoning.”
In addition to his gratitude for Cockrell’s assistance, Borgia is especially thankful to the Greater Columbus Arts Council, which made NLX possible with a Neighborhood Arts Connection grant. “They are so active in reaching into the communities where people live and distributing information and opportunities,” he said.
Borgia said the thought of creating a gallery space in a cavernous warehouse — the room measures 47,000 square feet — seemed “a little challenging.” But the area eventually filled with works by more than 40 local and regional artists. The exhibition is to include photography, sculpture, painting, drawings and mixed media.
“It’s exciting. It’s going to be a nice display,” Borgia said, noting that the story of NLX’s creation, details about the artists and the history of Northland would be documented in a small chapbook.
Having lived in the Shorth North, Harrison West and Worthington, the event organizer said Northland needs the kind of creative outlets offered in those areas. “Northland is an art desert,” he said.
“Northland Exposed is exposing that there is an opportunity for people to share and participate in a fine arts-based activity. We’ve never had that up here.”
Borgia, who also has lived in Detroit and New York, is awestruck by how Columbus’ arts scene has grown between his years as a student at Columbus College of Art & Design and his return to the city in 2005. “I just marvel at the blooming and the flourishing of the arts in such dramatic effect,” he said.
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More than the mastermind of NLX, Borgia is also a participating artist. “Loop Magic,” his performance of fractal melodies and sequences on classical guitar is slated for 12:30-1 p.m. at NLX. Other live presentations include:
- 11:30 a.m. to noon — Master sitarist, composer and musician Hans Utter performs a morning raga on sitar.
- 12:30-3:30 p.m. — “Lego of Solace,” a program featuring Zander Jeney‘s whimsical video collaborations using 3D printed sculpture and Lego bricks.
- 2-2:30 p.m. — “The Power of Expression” with Nepali photographer Sawan Chhetri about his latest project investigating the inner experiences and emotions of mental illness and the challenges and stigma faced in seeking help and support.
- 3-3:30 p.m. — Gabor Klein, artist manager, promoter and ComFest organizer in conversation with Borgia about “the changing face of what it takes to make it.”
Borgia expressed pleasure that more people are becoming aware of the entertainment value of art and said he intends to keep spreading the word.
“Culture helps to make things better. It just does,” he said.
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