Galleries
Thieves Ransack Gallery to Steal Copper Pipe
A band of thieves has forced a recently-opened gallery in Columbus, Ohio to close temporarily. As reported by a local ABC affiliate, the thieves tore out great lengths of copper piping and other plumbing, which caused the gallery to flood. The unknown perpetrators are also said to have stolen supplies and tools owned by the artists who were currently working in the space. The materials alone reportedly cost thousands of dollars.
Located in a disused industrial space in the Columbus neighborhood of Merion Village, MINT Art Gallery was launched four months ago by 15 artists. And despite the damage, they hope to have the gallery reopened with a new security system installed in the next month.
One of the affected artists, Marrit Vaessin told ABC, following the incident: “It was all heartbreaking and shocking. Whenever I have anything extra, it goes into my materials. I can’t replace them. It’s not financially feasible for me to replace them.”
In order to aid Vaessin and others whose materials and other tools were stolen, the gallery is organizing a benefit exhibition later this month. Fellow artist C.J. Brazelton told ABC, that the burglary itself “was really frustrating, and at the same time it was like, how can we improve the space so it doesn’t happen again?”
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