Covington, Kentucky's First Friday Gallery Hop at the MarX Gallery

Covington Kentucky is currently experiencing a burgeoning art scene sure to put Northern Kentucky on the artistic map. Although Covington has been the center for many art galleries and artists in the past, the city is taking an active roll in growing such arts. This high emphasis placed on the arts by Covington's arts council is hard at work creating an arts district, giving breaks to artists who move to or set up shop in Covington, and investing money in promoting the arts. The hard work and incentives seem to have paid off. More and more studios, shops, and galleries are appearing in Covington and are displaying fine art to the masses. One such gallery and studio space in the newly renovated MarX Building.

The MarX Building is a combination studio rental and gallery located at 520 Madison Avenue in Covington. This building, right in the middle of the arts district, has so much to offer for both artist and collector alike. The studio spaces are intimate, affordable and well suited for a variety of arts. The large number of spaces housed in the building allow artist to receive constant feedback and critique from fellow artists working in the same building. Also, Covington has come a long way in shedding its reputation for being a rough neighborhood. However, some reluctant artists still fear moving their work space to Covington because of its past. This is not an issue with the MarX. The MarX is a secure space located right on the main drag down Covington. Madison Avenue is home to several upscale stores, concert venues, reception halls, and wedding boutiques. The trepidatious artist should feel no nervousness when it comes to the studio spaces at the MarX. Finally, and most importantly, studio artist also have the opportunity to regularly show their work in the impressive first floor MarX gallery.

The gallery, which has a full wall of storefront windows facing heavily traveled Madison Avenue, is a chic space with a modern industrial feel. Its distressed white walls, studio track lighting, and stained concrete floors are the perfect backdrop to the contemporary art it displays. The city of Covington sponsors a First Friday Gallery Hop each month. This monthly event consists of many galleries in Covington opening their doors on the first Friday of each month to display new work. The MarX is a fervent participator in these hops. Each month studio space renters and regional artists display cutting edge contemporary work in the gallery while live musicians play. Hors d'oeuvres and wine are served to the milling viewers which number into the hundreds over the course of the evening. Recent shows have included an all female show, a figurative drawing exhibit, a contemporary sculpture group show, and currently a very inspiring photography exhibition. All of the work can be viewed, discussed with the artists, and purchased. While at the MarX during the gallery hop, you also have the opportunity to pick up a brochure detailing the other galleries in Covington and the artwork displayed in each for the gallery hop. Viewers can spend hours browsing through the galleries on these wildly popular first Fridays.

The arts scene in Covington has come a long way and is about to explode. Anyone interested in art in the Northern Kentucky region should quickly hop on board here in the early stages and ride the momentum of creativity and creation. So, the next time you flip over your calendar to a new month, mark down the first Friday and pay a visit to Covington. Make sure to put the MarX gallery on the top of your list. Browse through the galleries, meet the artists, mingle with fellow art appreciators, even purchase a piece of work and leave the hop with a unique conversation piece.