Get your arts fix this week right downtown at the Urban Arts Space. Just head over on Thursday, July 26 for the exhibition reception for Portraits of Cuba, as well as a special premiere from Columbus Ohio Discovery Ensemble (CODE). First, the reception begins at 5 p.m. Then, the CODE performance starts at 6 p.m. Plus, all the fun is free and open to the public.

Portraits of Cuba has been on view all month, featuring a series of portraits of Cubans. Columbus-based artist Lisa DiGiacomo explores how Cuban citizens are adapting to the end of the Fidel Castro era, as well as the changes in US-government policy toward the country from the Obama to Trump administrations. Indeed, the artist expresses her interest in this country whose history is immeshed with ours and whose people express such vitality, creativity and resourcefulness. 

Then, enjoy the world premier of All that we see or seem, composed by CODE's Artistic Director, Michael Rene Torres. This composition is actually an installation piece, with six musicians separated spatially throughout the gallery. The piece for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion explores how we interact with music in the 21st century. The piece's title refers to a line from Edgar Allan Poe's "A Dream within a Dream" which explores an existential crisis. Then, the piece explores the existential crisis of the classical musical community in our culture.

Urban Arts Space Ongoing Events

Urban Arts Space offers exhibitions and educational programming year round, all free and open to the public. During the monthly Art Explorations event, young children and their families create together and learn an appreciation for art. While each month, Crafternoons! allows visitors 16 and older to create a special craft or creative art projects. And, during the warm-weather months, enjoy a tour of the rooftop garden on the first Friday of each month. The tours kick off at 2 p.m. So, kick off early for the weekend, and after, grab some happy hour fun at your favorite downtown spot.