Franklinton’s art scene is saying goodbye to one of its most recognizable creators. Over the past twelve years, Henry Hess has called the Chromedge studio at 400 Square his creative home. In recent weeks, the Hess family has been carefully packing the walls—lined floor‑to‑ceiling with drawings of “The Wizard of Oz,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Harry Potter”—into bins, repeatedly checking each box to make sure nothing is lost.
Family Keeps a Positive Outlook
Henry’s father, Tom Hess, described the process as “really struggles,” noting that even a routine trip to Kroger prompted Henry to mutter, “Big studio, big studio.” The family is trying to stay upbeat, but the looming rent increase of more than 30 percent has made the transition difficult.
Artistic Legacy and Community Ties
During his time at Chromedge, Hess has participated in 60 group shows and mounted 25 solo exhibitions. He has also appeared on billboards, in magazines, and regularly donates artwork to raise money for charitable causes. His mother, Amy Hess, highlighted how the studio has served as a vital social hub, hosting an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and providing a fully stocked kitchenette where artists could gather.
“When you have autism as a young adult, you can be super isolated, so the fact that he’s like 180 from the norm is unbelievable,” Amy said. She added that the studio’s open‑door policy has allowed Henry to give back to the neighborhood that nurtured his talent.
Rent Increase Sparks Concern Among Artists
The proposed rent hike mirrors a broader trend in Franklinton, where rising property costs have pushed several long‑standing artists out of the area. Fellow artist Michael Halliday recalled a 2023 rent increase that felt “like a slap in the face” after more than a decade of tenancy.
Tom Hess argued that “art is not the highest paying endeavor, right? And when you throw a 30 percent increase into a business model, you’re really just telling people to leave.” He questioned the landlord’s justification, asking whether the increase was meant to fund air‑conditioning, new flooring, or window sealing.
Landlord’s Response
A spokesperson for 400 Rich explained that the Hess lease had been “well below market value for years,” and that maintaining such a disparity was no longer sustainable. The landlord offered assistance in finding a more affordable studio on the campus and emphasized the value of artists to the Chromedge building’s character.
Future Plans
While the family continues to search for a new space, they are also exploring the possibility of purchasing a building—perhaps a former warehouse or church—to convert into a permanent studio. In the meantime, Henry intends to keep his presence felt in Franklinton through pop‑up shows in rented U‑Hauls, participation in the annual Scrawl event, and other community‑focused projects.
“We’re not going anywhere,” said Henry’s sister, Sophia Hess, reinforcing the family’s commitment to the neighborhood.
Community Reaction
Local residents and fellow creators have expressed support for the Hess family, noting the importance of affordable creative spaces in preserving Franklinton’s cultural vibrancy. The situation underscores the delicate balance between rising development costs and the need to retain the artists who give the district its unique character.
Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.
