New Empty Corner art gallery brings more culture in Arlington Heights

A new art gallery is doing more than just filling building space on what was an empty corner in Arlington Heights.

"The concept of The Empty Corner is it's a place where you can come and leave filled up," owner Liz Schrenk said of her gallery and creative event space at 214 E. Grove St., just south of downtown.

"We really want to provide an opportunity to our neighbors and our friends and our local artists - local creatives - who may not have had a place to connect before."

Schrenk, owner of Something Blue Photography at the neighboring corner of Grove Street and Pine Avenue, had the opportunity to expand her studio when a new owner took over the retail building.

"We didn't really have a need for more studio space for photography, but we felt there was room for more culture in Arlington Heights," said Schrenk, who runs the gallery with gallery manager Kasia Wasilewski.

Since opening in late August, the gallery has hosted an exhibition and artist talk with Eddie Santana White, known by the artist name EDO, who curated the colorful "Fulfill Yourself" mural in the gallery's main space.

It also held a small concert to raise awareness about the protests in Iran, and plans a similar event about the war in Ukraine.

On Friday, the shop will host a 6 p.m. artist talk and 7 p.m. opening reception for Karen Sako, an Arlington Heights fine artist, graphic designer and art instructor whose works will be on display through November.

An artist's marketplace - what Schrenk describes as a year-round art fair - features wares of rotating makers from the Northwest Suburbs available for purchase. The space is also available to rent for private events.

"It's really an open canvas," Schrenk said. "We really want it to be a flexible space that's open and inviting across disciplines."

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, except Wednesday, when the gallery is closed, and 1 to 6 p.m. on weekends.

For more information, visit theemptycorner.com.