Free Little Art Galleries Open Across Cortland
Posted on December 04, 2023 in In The News
A new, interactive way to enjoy art is popping up across Northeast Ohio! Free Little Art Galleries, or FLAGs, are standalone structures that showcase art and media pieces in a collaborative way, similar to the Little Free Libraries that invite community members to take and share a book. Instead of books, FLAGs showcase small artworks, photos, letters, ceramics, yarn works, or even poetry. Visitors are encouraged to take the art/media item on display and leave another unique contribution in its place.
The FLAG movement is a national effort that started with a Seattle-based family who wanted to safely communicate with their mother who was undergoing chemotherapy treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their hope was to shed a little light and levity during a difficult time, by launching a Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) in their community. They believed that anyone could do art, and anyone could own art. Within the first 30 days of opening the inaugural FLAG, roughly 90 pieces from various people came and went. Since 2020, an estimated 400 additional FLAGs have been assembled across the country.
“Free Little Art Galleries are a way to build community, give young and old a place to display their work, and spread good news,” explained Denise Rubano, Ohio Living Lake Vista independent housing manager and event coordinator. Rubano championed the addition of five permanent FLAGs in the Cortland area, which were funded by donations from the Ohio Living Foundation.
“We worked with a local construction company, Christopher Milo Construction, to build four FLAGs, and one of our Ohio Living Lake Vista residents also built a fifth one,” continued Rubano. “Since late October 2023, we’ve seen strong participation from the community, and I check on all the locations each week to be sure they aren’t empty. So far, I have observed an array of items, including jewelry, artwork and even ornaments being left in the FLAGs.”
The five Cortland area FLAGs are located outside of Lakeview High School, Ohio Living Lake Vista, Cortland Public Library, Fowler General Store, and inside of Cortland Nutrition. Rubano hopes to expand the initiative with additional locations in the years to come.
“To me, this is a little something that makes someone smile in this world today,” Rubano added. “I love that FLAGs provide an expressive means for communication and a platform for people to express themselves by making and displaying their art.”
