It Looks Like
It’s Open
ILLIO began as a bold cultural experiment, challenging the boundaries of creativity and community. At its heart were five multidisciplinary artists and designers who asked: What if a studio and cultural center could constantly reinvent itself—transforming private practice into a public experience, and sparking unexpected collaborations? The project’s whimsical name—ILLIO, short for “It looks like it’s open”—was inspired by a hand-painted sign and an inside joke that captured the spirit of welcome and curiosity. This ethos shaped every aspect of ILLIO. From its very first days, the space became a dynamic laboratory for creativity: hosting children’s gallery shows, regional art exhibitions, weekly video critique sessions, art swap markets, book fairs, yoga classes, meditations, puppetry, sound art concerts and unconventional award ceremonies. Each program turned ILLIO into something new, injecting fresh energy into Columbus, Ohio’s art and design scene and establishing the space as a living, ever-evolving case study in creative community building.
Creative Placemaking, Community Arts Programming, Not-for-profit | 2009 –
For: Columbus, Ohio
Team (First Iteration)
Jamie Boyle, Co-Founder
Herb Vincent Peterson, Co-Founder
Ryan Agnew
Adele Mattern
Amy Sones
Learn More Below
www.itlookslikeitsopen.com
While at ILLIO, I founded Open and Build, a not-for-profit "Design for Good" network dedicated to connecting professionals from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Our mission was to form strategic teams to address the design needs of not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations. Open and Build utilized a keyword tagging system to assemble unique teams—often pairing individuals who might not otherwise collaborate. This approach empowered designers of all ages to share their expertise, connect over shared passions, and make a tangible impact for worthy causes.
As ILLIO expanded, we welcomed new team members—Jessica Larva, Mike Shifflet, Seth Josephson, and Jesse Hemminger—who introduced innovative practices such as digital media, sound art, yoga, and meditation. This second and third iteration of our team fostered dynamic collaborations and increased visibility, while new programming attracted individuals from broader networks and diverse passions.
The Impact
Culturally, ILLIO has become a cornerstone of the creative arts community in Columbus, Ohio. Still thriving in 2026, the space and its dedicated team continue to forge new opportunities, bringing together artists and collaborators from across the United States. From its humble beginnings as a single-room creative hub, ILLIO has grown—acquiring and expanding its building to support the evolving vision of each new team iteration. Discover the collective’s past projects and experiences at the archived web/blog site: