The Art Spot opens in Cedar Lee Business District on Dec. 16

The Art Spot, a student-run gallery exhibiting the works of Cleveland Institute of Art students, opens its inaugural exhibit Friday, Dec. 16, in space provided by The Wine Spot, a soon-to-open purveyor of wine and craft brews at 2271 Lee Rd.

The event is open to the public. The Art Spot invites attendees to celebrate with opening-night gallery treats. "Soak up the buzz of the Cedar Lee neighborhood," said Adam Fleischer, owner of The Wine Spot, "And don't forget that the Heights Arts Holiday Store is just to the north, and the December Book Sale at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Main Library is just to the south."

Fleischer said he expects Friday's  opening to be the first of many quarterly shows of student work.

"The cooperative gallery venture is one of many partnerships that The Wine Spot hopes to cultivate with local artists and artisans to promote an urban and urbane Cleveland-centric ethic and lure visitors to Cleveland Heights's exciting Cedar Lee neighborhood," said Fleisher.

Friday's Art Spot event hours are 6-9 p.m. Afterward, the works will be on display within The Wine Spot when it opens for business. Flesicher said he expects to open The Wine Spot later this month.