Insider Ohio: Where for Art Thou?

Artist Tim McMichael's studio is a large, yawning space built around a floor that dips precariously in the middle. It's located on the second floor of an old warehouse building commonly referred to as The Shoe; the obsolete signage outside still reads "David Shoe Company." The building is in Cincinnati's West End, where many artists of McMichael's generation converge for cheap studio and gallery space rents.

McMichael's work - painstakingly beautiful objects featuring resin-encased volcanic ash - hangs on the walls of his studio. Elsewhere, flat print drawers are crammed with stacks of detailed etchings, Rorschach-like lithographs, and silk-screens that look like maps.

When he isn't creating art, McMichael is crafting cocktails at the Northside Tavern, a neighborhood bar filled with creative folks like him. Artists, musicians, and poets flock there for the live rock, great beer, and boast-worthy jukebox. McMichael stands out, though, with his outsized frames and wild hair, which he habitually twists into untamed shapes.

So, where in Cincy does an artist go to see art?

"Aisle Gallery is a pearl in a dynamic building," he notes. "It does a lot with a little space." It is revealing that McMichael hones in on this diminutive art spot, seeing as it shares a building with two of Cincinnati's largest contemporary art galleries. Aisle exhibits affordable pieces by up-and-coming artists, and proprietors Bill Renschler and Krista Gregory seem to enjoy their shows as much as visitors do.

McMichael also makes frequent visits to Clay Street Press, which he describes as "the best print shop this side of the last great print you saw." McMichael's own drawers are filled with prints that he made at Clay Street. But he's hardly alone; the best artists in the business come here to make editions with master printmaker Mark Patsfall.

McMichael's attention remains pegged to the smaller spaces of the West End. "Semantics," he says of the humble artist-run gallery, "is an institution that continues to be a hub of incubation and exciting shows."

The artist's fondness for small venues does not imply a distaste for large galleries, however. "The Weston Art Gallery always has top-notch shows showcasing regional artists," he explains. The Weston is about a half-block from the biggest contemporary arts space in Cincinnati, The Contemporary Arts Center. But while the CAC aims to present blockbuster touring exhibitions, The Weston focuses on locals and ex-pats. And while the budget and space are certainly grander than, say, Aisle, it manages to maintain a respectable level of intimacy.

McMichael isn't exactly a mall shopper - go figure. When he's in the market for rare vinyl, he heads directly to Shake It Records. "Shake It has a depth of field that both audiophiles and pedestrian shoppers will appreciate," he says. For used books the artist visits Ohio Bookstore, where a treasure trove of new and old titles makes this locale "a great place to spend a rainy day."

Even an artist needs a break from the everyday grind. One of McMichael's favorite places to catch his mental breath is a park in North Bend. "Shawnee Lookout," he says, "is a great place to step away from the city and take in the river."

Source: Insider Ohio.