If you’ve ever walked into The Englewood Center for the Arts, you’ve definitely met Erik Groff. He’s the driving force behind the entire operation, and you can feel his energy as soon as you step inside.
After pouring himself into every inch of the renovation and opening, Erik has made it his mission to flood Englewood with art. His philosophy? Keep it simple: bring your creativity, leave your hesitation at the door. “We’re all about community here. If you can get your project through the door, I’ll find a way to say yes. No limits about size or what you want to do. Artists need space to breathe.”
Erik says he grew up bouncing between Philadelphia and Orlando. He’s been coming to Englewood for three decades, but settled here for good 15 years ago with his wife, where they welcomed their daughter. They share the house with a dog and three cats, definitely a lively bunch.
Before this, Erik spent years working in galleries and museums in New York City and the Bay Area. He genuinely just loves making stuff: painting, writing, music, you name it. For Erik, running the gallery feels like another creative project, but say, “This one’s better because it’s not just for me. I get to support other artists, help them stretch their imaginations, and show off what they can do. That’s what I want: to push local artists to aim higher and help their work get the spotlight it deserves.”
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I probably overuse the word ‘yes’ too much, as I like to try to keep things flowing and progressing.
Which living person do you most admire?
I probably most admire Mark Grosenbacher, former principal at Englewood Elementary.
Which living person do you most despise?
I probably despise Elon Musk most, if I had to pick.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
The trait I most deplore in others is irreverence.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness would be exemplified by the world just prior to the discovery of electricity.
Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.
