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Blockfort Gallery in Columbus, Ohio

Walk in and the main room is set for the current show, with walls that change month to month. A second space called Gallery B often spotlights emerging artists, while a flexible room nearby sometimes turns into a pop-up for performances or special projects.

Blockfort is both gallery and working building. More than 25+ artists and creative businesses keep studios here, so exhibitions tend to draw from a mix of painters, sculptors, printmakers, designers, and organizers who treat the place as home base. The project started in 2016 and was built out of a former auto parts store, which explains the long, open floor and the easy flow between rooms when a reception is underway.

Outside, the Lafayette Mural Alley Project wraps the back side of the building with 50+ rotating murals managed by Blockfort. Each spring those walls become the backdrop for Alley Islands, a street festival that pulls in art, food, music, and nearby businesses. The gallery sits in the Discovery District, a short walk from the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus College of Art & Design, the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, and Columbus State Community College.

Public exhibitions and opening receptions are scheduled throughout the year, and the team invites proposals for shows, studios, and occasional larger events. If you want the indoor exhibition plus outdoor mural combo in one stop, Blockfort makes it simple to do both before you move on to the rest of downtown.

  • Address. 162 N. 6th St., Columbus, OH 43215
  • Neighborhood. Discovery District (downtown)
  • Phone. (614) 887-7162
  • Hours. Hours vary by exhibition; check ahead
  • Known for. Monthly rotating shows in the main gallery, Gallery B for emerging artists, the Lafayette Mural Alley Project, and the spring Alley Islands festival

If you’re building a day around the Discovery District and want a gallery stop that pairs changing exhibitions with a walkable mural alley, this fits the plan.

Published: September 9, 2026 · Reviewed by the Whats Up Columbus editorial team