Through Partnership with Northern Kentucky Port Authority and meetNKY, gallery opens Friday, Sept.12, 10 a.m.
COVINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2025) – ArtsWave, in partnership with Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port) and meetNKY, will debut the OneNKY Center Gallery, Fueled by ArtsWave, on Sept. 12 inside the new OneNKY Center at 209 Greenup St. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition will showcase regional lens-based artists and serve as a cultural gateway for visitors to Northern Kentucky.
“The OneNKY Center Gallery, Fueled by ArtsWave, illustrates the idea that arts and culture are fundamental to creating vibrant, connected communities,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave. “This gallery is more than decoration, it’s a strategic investment that shows how the arts transform public spaces into meaningful experiences and how important the creative economy is to the future of the region.”
That purpose is reflected in the design of the space itself. The gallery will feature up to 20 professionally framed photographs that capture the essence and vibrancy of Northern Kentucky public art. The gallery was built into the plans for the OneNKY Center from the start, underscoring the role of art in shaping how the public experiences this new regional hub and the region itself.
The installation is a collaboration among ArtsWave, NKY Port Authority and meetNKY. The NKY Port matched ArtsWave’s $10,000 investment and meetNKY will provide a permanent gallery rail system and lighting for the spring exhibition.
“When planning the OneNKY Center, we knew art wasn’t just a ‘nice to have’ but an essential part of creating a welcoming space,” said Christine Russell, executive director of the Northern Kentucky Port Authority and vice president of strategy at BE NKY Growth Partnership. “This gallery reflects the importance of integrating the arts into economic development and community building.”
Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, emphasized the gallery’s importance to regional tourism efforts: “The arts are a critical component of what makes Northern Kentucky a distinctive destination. Creative placemaking initiatives like this showcase our authentic character and tell our story in engaging ways that can resonate with everyone in the region.”
The inaugural exhibition features a curated selection of professionally framed photographs highlighting both traditional and modern public art in Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties. The works were chosen through a collaborative process among ArtsWave and its OneNKY Center partners, designed to create a museum-quality gallery experience for both visitors and tenants of the building. Following the initial exhibition, the partners plan to launch an Artist-in-Residence Program in spring 2026, further deepening the connection between the building and the regional arts community.
The gallery is part of ArtsWave’s Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking initiatives, which use strategic arts investments to strengthen cultural identity and economic vitality through a thriving creative economy.
The OneNKY Center is a 47,000-square-foot Class A office building at the foot of the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge. It houses 10 regional growth organizations: meetNKY, LifeSciKY, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Thomas More University Division of External Affairs, BE NKY Growth Partnership, Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky, OneNKY Alliance, The Catalytic Fund and EducateNKY. ArtsWave’s director of creative placemaking will also operate out of the OneNKY Center, representing the organization’s first-ever satellite office.
The public is invited to view the OneNKY Center Gallery, Fueled by ArtsWave, during grand opening celebrations on Sept. 12. RSVP here.
Learn more about ArtsWave’s Creative Placemaking initiatives and other grants at artswave.org/nky.
#######
About ArtsWave
ArtsWave fuels the Cincinnati region’s arts, supporting 150+ organizations, projects and artists each year. Since 1927, it has been the primary way the region funds the arts, raising millions annually from tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and foundations to drive a more vibrant economy and connected community. Through the Blueprint for Collective Action, ArtsWave strategically makes investments that maximize the arts’ impact across the region. To learn more and give, visit artswave.org.
About Northern Kentucky Port Authority
The Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port) was jointly formed as an economic development organization by Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in 1968 under the provisions of KRS 65.510 to 65.650. The NKY Port is a managed entity of BE NKY Growth Partnership and it was activated in 2022 as a real estate and development tool as a key initiative of the Build + Elevate Northern Kentucky investor campaign. Learn more at www.NKYPort.org.
