Paul Kroner, an award-winning contemporary visual artist and gallerist, is presenting his first solo exhibition, "What Have I Done?," at his artist-run gallery, Studio Kroner. The show marks his 25th exhibition at the space and coincides with the gallery's fifth anniversary. Featuring nearly 50 works, some begun as early as 2020, the exhibition reflects on themes of creation, responsibility, and inner life. Kroner purchased the studio in 2021 after it was previously owned by Dick Waller, and the exhibition represents a full-circle moment following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 protests in Over-the-Rhine.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the dual role of Kroner as both artist and gallerist, offering patrons a deeper understanding of his creative practice beyond his curatorial work. It also underscores the resilience of local art spaces in Cincinnati, showing how a studio-gallery can evolve through adversity—from pandemic shutdowns to civil unrest—and serve as a platform for community dialogue. The show positions Kroner's work as a catalyst for broader conversations, reinforcing the importance of artist-run spaces in fostering local cultural engagement.