Clinton Hill Artist Opens Studio as Community Space

Resident muralist, cartoonist and jewelry maker, Alexander Gruss, wants to bring other artists’ work into his studio. Located on Lexington Avenue between Grand Street and Classon Avenue, Gruss’ studio, LEX56, will begin serving the community this weekend as a space for art, poetry and music.

“This is the very beginning,” said Gruss, who will head the community space with his wife and fellow artist, Lorelei Gruss. The two have owned the studio since 2000. “We don’t know where this is going.”

They know where it’s starting, though; Gruss will welcome neighbors to the space with an exhibit of Dominican Republic artist Wali Vidal’s work, opening on Friday, Nov.1, with a reception on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.

The artist’s acrylic and oil paintings, which will be for sale, are vibrant and energetic, with color palettes of deep red and light oranges and yellows.

In the past, Vidal has collaborated on murals with Gruss, who is known for his street art in the Clinton Hill neighborhood, where he’s lived since 1986. Originally from Buenos Aires, Gruss said that the work at LEX56 will not be a sanitized encounter with art.

“What’s special about my space is that it’s more of an underground type of gallery,” Gruss said, “[It’s] quality art that is not so attached to the system.”

Having your work featured in the space, said Gruss, will also be easier than other routes into city galleries.

“[My wife and I have] been artists doing other stuff for many years and we now just want to reach out,” said Gruss.

LEX56 is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The gallery and studio space is located at 56 Lexington Avenue.