Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet – colors from the rainbow that are all uniquely displayed at Roy G Biv Gallery.

Living up to its acronym, this Short North space showcases Ohio artists from one end of the spectrum to the other. From installations to ink drawings, this non-profit gallery is an open door for emerging artists looking to enter the art world.

Roy G Biv opened in 1989. The gallery allows artists to sell their work without the hefty commission charges of commercial a gallery and with the invaluable criticism and feedback of a community. Run by student volunteers and local artists, this quaint space is a haven for emerging artists. Gallery director Diana Matuszak fondly refers to the gallery as a “home away from home.”

Diana never dreamed of being a gallery owner. Prior to her career at Roy G Biv, she was foremost concerned with surviving college life as an art major at The Ohio State University.

“I felt fidgety, like I didn’t fit on campus,” Diana says. “I had an inkling to work at a gallery, but I was not an art history major, so I didn’t really know if it would work out.”

Diana’s inkling brought her to Roy G Biv where she held an internship for two years and has been the gallery director for five.  “When I was an intern, it was a brand new experience for me, and I loved it,” Diana says. “I still love it; it is exciting and invigorating.”

As stated on the gallery website, Roy G Biv’s mission is to support vibrant, emerging artists by presenting exhibitions that increase the public’s awareness of the artists’ work while enhancing the cultural diversity of Central Ohio. Diana could not agree more: “Roy G Biv gives emerging artists a chance to show a full exhibition before they go into commercial spaces. This space gives them experience, and it helps them get their feet in the door.”




Why is a gallery like Roy G Biv so important? Diana explains, “Artists are fresh out of school and have all this creativity and new knowledge they want to show. Roy G Biv gives them the space to express themselves, and the community has a chance to view art made by people within their community.”

With Roy G Biv, location is everything. Located in the heart of the arts district, the gallery offers emerging artists a space that will be frequently visited on Gallery Hop nights and strolls through town. “This area is a unique thing for Ohio,” Diana says. “Not many cities have a stretch like this.”

by Holly Beach