A new independent art center called Tend Space has opened in Chauncey, Ohio, in the historic former Chauncey Library building. Run by Len Loomis, who also co-runs galleries and teaches at Ohio University's School of Art and Design, the space held its inaugural exhibition on September 5, 2025, featuring local artists from Athens County. The show included works in paper, sculpture, animation, and other media by artists such as Aneek Mustafa Anwar, Gene Deubler, Lilah Mae Gagne, Erin McKenna, Caroline Murphy, and Moss Nash. Murphy displayed a digitally hand-drawn animation and postcards supporting Palestinian relief. Loomis plans monthly events, including a community salon on October 3, and has opened calls for exhibitions through May 2026.
This matters because Tend Space fills a gap for small-scale, DIY-focused art venues in rural southeastern Ohio, emphasizing local creators and community engagement over commercial or institutional priorities. By collaborating with Ohio University students and offering free, open programming, it provides emerging artists with exhibition opportunities and fosters grassroots cultural development. The center's focus on place-based relationships and inclusive feedback reflects a growing trend of artist-run spaces that prioritize local voices and social connection over market-driven art world dynamics.