The Queen City: On Exhibit

It is rare that I go to stores (or galleries for that matter) to actually view their artwork. It is just not something on the forefront of my mind. But there are two exhibits about Cincinnati architecture currently on display within blocks of each other on Vine Street.

"Cincinnati : A Glimpse From the Past" is currently on display at Carteaux and Leslie, 921 Vine Street, through January 12, 2008. The show contains vintage photography curated by Christopher Smith as well as 2007 photography by Alex Bell. From the Downtown Resident’s Council website:

"As communities have grown and developed over the years, it is a combination of
the built environment and our collective memories that have sustained and nurtured our sense of place. While change has always been a factor, it is only
since the mid 20th century that we have seen such drastic alterations to our
city and neighborhood streetscapes. As our physical environments continue to
change, it becomes that much more fascinating to discover what had come before."

Carteaux and Leslie features 19th and 20th Century books and prints as well as custom picture framing and is open Monday-Friday 11-6 and Saturday 11-4.

"Endangered Cincinnati: Can These Buildings Be Saved?" is currently on display at Park + Vine, 1109 Vine Street. (Not sure when the exhibit ends.) The show contains photography highlighting buildings that are still with us but under threat. From the Cincinnati Preservation Association website who, along with the Betts House Research Center, curated the show:

"The exhibit is a logical follow-up to the earlier exhibit "Lost Cincinnati:
Why Buildings Die," which received a CPA Education Award in 2005 . . . The
purpose is to focus our attention on them with the hope that they may be
preserved rather than lost. In some cases the forces may be too great. Two of
the featured landmarks, both Mid-Century Modern houses by Woodie Garber, were demolished before this exhibit was installed."

Park + Vine, a green general store, is open Monday-Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 12-4 during the holidays.