PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF KAE RAMSEY
You could say Cal Cullen, cofounder of Wave Pool, has made it her life’s work to fill in the gaps. First for local artists and community development and now with swell, a new cafe/gathering space next to Wave Pool that she’s helping to launch next month.
Cullen envisions swell as more than just a cafe, but as a bridge that creates space for artists and like-minded individuals to come together and connect over art, live music, and actual books.
“By combining a used bookstore, bar and cafe offerings and regular dynamic arts programming, swell aims to be a space bursting with activity [that’s] open to all,” she explains.
The new 1,500-square-foot facility will serve as a space that takes patrons from day to night in its programming and drinks, offering not only tea and locally roasted coffee but also a variety of draft beer, wine, and cocktails. The food menu will also vary—from a grab-and-go $3 grilled cheese to more elevated, sit-down fare like fresh-made sandwiches, bagels and lox, breakfast burritos, and vegan offerings.
The space’s 50-seat serving capacity increases to 150 during standing-room performances and assemblies which will include a monthly art salon led by curator/writer Sue Spaid, pop-up exhibitions, live music on the weekends, writing workshops, book discussions, art making, and more.
The café’s decor is a collaborative effort which will showcase the owners’ personal collection of artwork, a stage built by Chase Melendez (featuring one of his colorful murals), and protest wallpaper along the back wall designed by Terence Hammonds.
While swell is an independent for-profit venture that operates separately from Wave Pool, the cafe aims to collaborate often on some programming and, as a social enterprise, will contribute 10 percent of its proceeds back to the nonprofit to further support the local artist community.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CALCAGNO CULLEN
Plans are in the works for the cafe to host an artist-in-residence program, which will feature different local artists both within the swell space as well as through programming and artist alterations to the swell logo during their residencies, Cullen explains.
Additionally, the cafe will offer ongoing “making” opportunities where patrons can stop in, pick up supplies, and get crafty. The creation of a swell community ’zine in collaboration with the Taft Research Center and DAAP at the University of Cincinnati is also in development.
“Lounging around to read, chat and work is encouraged,’ Cullen says. “Swell aims to be a warm and welcome place that [puts] the relational above the transactional.”
While there are plans for a membership program that grants some special access to events and discounts to folks (to help fund their signature programs), anyone and everyone is welcome.
Other co-owners, investors and collaborators include musician and designer Margaret Darling, (bookseller and Adobe Books founder Andrew McKinley, artist and former The Welcome Project director Erika Nj Allen, and Parts & Labor BBQ owner Jeffrey Miller.
“Camp Washington is [a] neighborhood for weirdos, free-thinkers, artists, makers, and ambitious DIY-ers,” Cullen says. “We see ourselves as part of a rising tide—or ‘swell’—to lift all ships in a burgeoning business district.”
swell is located at 2936 Colerain Avenue and opens to the public starting September 13, Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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