For hundreds of years, musical instruments have been designed to please both the eye and the ear.

Instruments such as violins and celli, woodwind and brass instruments, and keyboard instruments like the piano and pipe organ, have been created for both immaculate sound production and overall visual appeal. The achievements of famous instrument builders like Stradivarius and Amati come to mind, and in more recent times Leo Fender, Robert Moog and Don Buchla can be considered pioneers in this field.

The twentieth century saw the definition of the term “musical instrument” expand to include more radical and experimental designs incorporating new, unusual and even dangerous components. Inventions such as the Telharmonium, fire organ, and synthesizer; innovations in audio recording technology; and the embracing of the concept that music can be created with any object at hand have greatly expanded concepts of what defines music, how music is performed, and how it is preserved for posterity.

Heights Arts’ new exhibition, Sound and Vision, displays a variety of instruments built or owned by local, regional, and national instrument builders and tinkerers. Some designs are more traditional in nature, some are from other parts of the world, some are digital, and others challenge our notions of what musical instruments are in the first place. Hopefully this exhibition will undermine visitors’ assumptions and encourage them to explore music that exists outside of their comfort zone.

Ornamental Containment, a series of new monotypes by Deborah Pinter, is showcased in the spotlight gallery beginning Friday, September 15. Employing the compositional restraints of a circular format on square paper, Deborah continues her exploration of directly creating prints from natural elements such as leaves, branches and stones, which are added in layers to create a positive/negative rhythm.

What began as a holiday pop-up store with a few local artists in 2002 has blossomed into the Heights Arts 16th Annual Holiday Store, featuring creative gift items in a wide range of media by more than 80 Northeast Ohio visual artists, writers, and musicians. Patrons will find new giftable art from many of their favorite makers, plus an exciting selection of curated items by new artists to the store. The Holiday Store is refilled with new art on a weekly basis, so all are encouraged to support local artists by shopping early and often. A grand opening celebration is planned for Friday, November 3, with special holiday shopping events throughout the season.

SOUND & VISION | SEPTEMBER 1 – OCTOBER 15

Reception 6 – 9pm Friday, September 1 | Gallery Talk 7pm, Thursday, September 28

SPOTLIGHT: DEBORAH PINTER | SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 29

Reception 6 – 9pm Friday, September 15

16^TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY STORE |NOVEMBER 3 – DECEMBER 31

Members Opening 5 – 7pm • Public Reception 7 – 9pm Friday, November 3