A Bittersweet Goodbye: 20 North Shuts Its Doors

Eye On Art  |  05/24/2013

"It's nice to have that finish line; you can't start another race until you cross the finish line," Eric Hillenbrand, owner of 20 North, tells me on the day of the gallery's final reception. As he's putting the final touches on the closing party, he talks with an  anticipated bittersweetness: he will obviously miss being an integral part of Toledo's downtown art scene, but after a stellar 20th season, Hillenbrand feels there is no better time to close shop. 20 North took a chance on downtown when nobody else did ? when they opened they were the only art gallery in the epicenter of the city. But, now that's changed ? there is currently around two dozen ? and that may make the tough situation a bit easier. Whatever the case, 20 North's impact and legacy will live on. Toledo.com spoke with Hillenbrand about how he knew it was the right time to close, accomplishing more than he ever thought possible and reinvesting his time in the arts. 

How did you know that this was the right time to close?

The opportunity to close on an anniversary was something that really appealed to me ? it's a bit of closure. Also, the fact that our whole 20th season was a real opportunity for us to showcase some incredible exhibitions. And, so it was a culmination of a nice year, that I really wouldn't know how to top and, the big thing; after 20 years I feel like I have accomplished everything I had ever hoped to with the gallery and then some. I guess, kind a sense of mission complete. 

Eric Hillenbrand, Peggy Grant and Condessa Croninger

After 20 years, what's the hardest part of closing?

 The toughest part honestly is, I think, the people. I'm going to miss the people ? a lot. The opportunity to bring people together and talk about something as passionately and as emotional that people can get about art; it's a great feeling. Whether we had an opening reception or were bringing a new artist into the community or exhibiting a beautiful show, it gave me that feeling of satisfaction that I had a clientele that appreciated, so much, the efforts that we made. It's pretty simple; I'm going to miss the people a lot.

Being the oldest independent downtown gallery, do you think 20 North helped pave the way for younger galleries?

I kinda of hope, if nothing else, that we let people know that the water is warm, jump on in. When I started the gallery, there was not another gallery that I was aware of that existed in the downtown area. Just last year alone, there were over 30 venues on the art walk. I'm hoping, if there is a legacy 20 years from now and people look back and remember 20 North, I hope that's what they remember: that we were kind of the first down here and now, after 20 years, we feel that there is a real sense of an art community downtown.

How has the downtown Toledo art scene changed and evolved over your 20 years in business?

It is one of those things where it kind of started off slow. I think there was not another gallery in the downtown area for three or four years after we opened. Then one popped up ? notably I remember Space 237 opening up maybe 12, 13 years ago. It was one of those things where the ball slowly got rolling. The momentum started to build. It didn't take off all at once. It was kind of a snowball effect, really. 

What are your plans after the gallery closes to fill up the time you spent planning and hosting?

I have plans on several levels. My primary business has always been real estate development; I would love to reinvest my time and efforts there. And, artistically, I have been wanting to become more involved with theater; there's a very warm place in my heart for the Toledo Ballet. I have been dancing with them for more than a few years now and would like to find ways of working to benefit organizations like that. I was on the Arts Commission's board years ago. There are so many opportunities, not only from a business standpoint, but artistically, to find time for fulfilling my love of art. 

All The Good Things, 20 North's Birthday Party and Final Reception, is from 6-9pm Friday, May 24. The Gallery will close the next day.