Rochester Institute of Technology is opening the doors to a new downtown art gallery and community event venue.
It's called RIT City Art Space, and it's inside Sibley Square at the Liberty Pole Plaza downtown.
Interim Dean of the College of Art and Design, Robin Cass, says the new space was configured by the college's interior design students, and its primary function is to show student and faculty work.
"But not exclusively. It's not just for faculty and staff and students of the college. It has a wider mission. But it is sort of an extension of our classrooms, "she says.
Cass says the gallery will also showcase alumni work, out of town artists and will reconnect RIT with downtown Rochester.
"So that we could bring the creative energy of RIT down there, but also that we could benefit from what's going on in downtown Rochester now in terms of the cultural revitalization, so we see it as a two-way street," she says.
On display as part of the "Faculty in Focus" series at RIT City Art Space is the work of professors and lifelong artists Willie Osterman and Leonard Urso.
An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 tonight and is free and open to the public.