Artist with Calif. gallery has sights set on East Liverpool

EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) – There’s a new project underway in downtown East Liverpool. It is transforming an old church into an art gallery and community space.

For Elan Vital, the studio is his sanctuary –now, more than ever.

“Art takes people up…brings their spirit up,” he said.

Vital purchased the old Lord’s Community Church on Jackson Street in downtown East Liverpool with a vision to turn it into a museum and community space.

“My objective is to bring this town back to where it really should be — that is a place of creation and hopefully some degree of affluence.”

Drawing new blood into town is just one of his ambitions, and Vital hopes to use art as a vehicle to help revitalize the community.

“The idea of it is to put artists in the empty storefronts in the diamond area, which are now empty, and put them in there and create a beautiful space.”

A Brooklyn native, Vtial has a gallery in California but was looking for a new space to call home when he stumbled onto the stained-glass structure built more than 100 years ago. By next year at this time, he’s hoping to have it open for business.

“It’s magnificent with its beautiful high ceilings, gothic architecture,” Vital said.

The renowned artist, known for his colorful paintings and sculptures featured at Maui’s Ecology Park, has reached the point in his career where it’s all about giving back.

“Because I have some acclaim in the world of art, I can help lift others, too,” Vital said. “If I grow friends and I grow goodness, then that’s my benefit.

And he feels East Liverpool presents the perfect canvas.

“Success is measured in happiness. When people feel there’s a reason — just more opportunity for people to come here, stay here and grow here.”

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