It’s been nearly six years since High Low first opened its doors at 3301 Washington Ave. in the Grand Center Arts District. Conceived as a home for the literary arts and a venue for freedom of expression through spoken and written word, High Low features a library and cafe; a state-of-the-art listening room for spoken performances and events; a modern visual arts gallery; and resident organization office suites and collaborative workspaces.
On any given day, the cafe’s long library tables and comfy sofas and chairs are filled with SLU students and neighborhood professionals, studying, collaborating and conversing amid its shelves of books while sipping made-to-order drinks from Blueprint Coffee. Each Thursday from 12-1 p.m., the Listening Room opens for the free weekly High Noon speakers series featuring thought leaders from across the St. Louis arts, cultural, and educational spectrum. A dedicated audience of regulars and newcomers bring their lunches and gather to learn from these experts.
On other nights, the spacious Listening Room hosts up to 150 people for a variety literary arts-focused events ranging from poetry readings, storytelling, and literary series, to book signings by local authors. Complete with professional audio and visual equipment, a full-service bar and seating for up to 150 people, it provides a dedicated and comfortable space where words can take center stage.
These amenities further serve the resident organizations that occupy High Low’s second floor including: St. Louis Poetry Center, Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation/Creative Arts & Expression Lab, St. Louis Poet Laureate Jane Ellen Ibur, St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, Hope Creates, Kimbilio for Black Fiction, St. Louis Classical Guitar and AIGA. In High Low, these small but mighty organizations have a chance to grow, thrive and collaborate in accommodations they may not be able to occupy on their own.
“High Low is a complete ecosystem for the literary arts in St. Louis and its supporting organizations,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “Through this dynamic space we are able to serve and lift up the literary community in the same way we support the music, visual and performing arts communities in our other venues in the district. The cafe provides a welcoming and public facing environment for all to experience and learn about what else is happening under the roof.”
The High Low Gallery, open during regular cafe hours daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, features rotating exhibitions displaying the works of KAF Artists in Residence, often tied to the written word. Currently, patrons can view a special screening of episodes 1 and 2 of ‘GONZO,’ a series by St. Louis filmmaker and Kranzberg Artist in Residence David Kirkman set in 2005 that follows a college student who invents a groundbreaking algorithm that could reshape the world.
