"Julia LaBay: Space & Construct(ion)" reception and new art exhibit dates
20 North Gallery to open “Julia LaBay: Space and Construct(ion)”
Solo exhibition featuring the artist’s tool-themed, multimedia series
Toledo, OH—January 20, 2026 On January 31, 2026, 20 North Gallery will present “Julia LaBay: Space and Construct(ion),” a solo exhibition of metal and wood sculpture, bronze casting, prints and mixed media that explores the symbolism and power of common hand tools. The exhibit features works from the artist’s Constructed Space, Printed Space, Tool Impressions and Retired Tools series, among others, comprising a curated collection of traditional and abstracted artworks.
Due to extreme cold weather forecasts, the gallery exhibition schedule has been changed. The exhibit will open with a free Public Reception on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 6 – 8 p.m., featuring a light appetizer buffet and cash bar by Venue. 20 North Gallery will resume regular Wednesday – Saturday, Noon – 4 p.m. gallery hours on February 4, 2026. The exhibition will continue through March 21, 2026.
Ranging from traditional monoprints to sculpture to wall-mounted installations, “Julia LaBay: Space & Construct(ion)” is a multimedia exhibition that reframes the common tool as we know it. Toledo, Ohio artist Julia LaBay depicts construction tools and household implements outside of their normal presentation, through multiple series and mediums, including printmaking, 3D sculptures and bronze casting. As a sculptor, LaBay is acutely aware of the importance of tools in creation; as an art and construction-skills educator, she works to remove the perceived exclusivity of power tools and empower young women with access to this skillset. From these combined experiences, LaBay’s artworks share the stories that tools hold—working to shape our perspective of their power, potential use and aesthetics.
20 North Gallery art director Condessa Croninger states, “With bold imagery and bright traditionally-feminine hues, Julia Labay’s tool-themed, multimedia series display a playful dichotomy, while subtly underlining the power of tool-using to build engaging spaces in which to live and work. Her prints and sculptures succeed as stand-alone artworks, or as room-scale installations, a construct that serves to emphasize the universality of the common tool.”
Julia LaBay (Toledo, Ohio) received her B.F.A. in sculpture at The University of Toledo in 2012 and her M.F.A. from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Ohio) in 2015. LaBay is an instructor and the 3D Technical Assistant at The University of Toledo Department of Art (Ohio), in addition to managing her own design company. She works with youth through Young Women of Toledo, teaching girls and young women how to use power tools. LaBay is also a past Curator for the Blair Museum of Lithophanes (Elmore, Ohio).
Her work has been shown regionally as well as nationally at galleries and museums including the Toledo Museum of Art (Ohio), Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, Kentucky), Marygrove College (Detroit, Michigan) and Manifest Gallery (Cincinnati, Ohio). LaBay has won several awards and grants for her arts practice, including a recent Accelerator Grant awarded through The Arts Commission (Toledo, Ohio). Additionally, LaBay recently was a visiting artist at Imagination Station in Downtown Toledo.
In addition to the featured exhibit, 20 North Gallery also displays glass, sculpture, paintings and jewelry by noted artists of the region. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4p.m.
The “Julia LaBay: Space and Construct(ion)” online exhibition catalogue, containing artist information, art images and artwork prices will be posted on the exhibit page at 20northgallery.com soon.
What: “Julia LaBay: Space and Construct(ion)” art exhibition
Where: 20 North Gallery, 18 N. St. Clair Street, (Downtown) Toledo, Ohio 43604, 419-241-2400
When: January 31 – March 21, 2026
Gallery Hours
Wednesday – Saturday:
Noon – 4 p.m.
and By Appointment
Free public reception: Saturday, January 31, 2026, 6 – 8 p.m.
Free Artist Talk: Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2 – 5 p.m. Reservations recommended via: [email protected] / 419-241-2400.
For More Information Contact: Condessa Croninger (Art Director) or visit www.20northgallery.com