Call to artists! Branches Art SPACE opening soon

It is our pleasure to introduce Branches Art Space, a new Collinwood-based artists’ alliance that will provide up to 24 artists shared studio, teaching, and retail gallery space-- affordably. We’re inviting artists in all mediums to our first reception Sunday, February 19th at Branches,18322 Lakeshore Blvd in Collinwood, from 11:00am - 4:00pm.  Artists will be interviewed and considered on a first come--first serve basis, so call us and make arrangements to visit. We’re looking for all types of artists. Our Grand Opening will be in the beginning of March.

Branches is a space where artists can work, discuss, collaborate, and create art in and for our neighborhood--along with a delicious cup of coffee, as we plan to have a small retail coffee bar. Branches has over 1600 square feet of space which will be divided into retail gallery space, artists' work area, teaching space, and a lounge area, and a book nook featuring books about our neighborhoods, Lake Erie, and the Cleveland area. The space boasts beautiful, natural light to showcase our work. There is plenty of room for parking and bicycles, is in a walking-friendly area, and near the RTA bus line. The property is also owner occupied.

Branches Art Space is a community art space supporting artists working in all areas of the fine arts. Our mission is to foster creativity and art excellence; provide exhibition, work and teaching space for artists; provide programs and activities that encourage public awareness, participation, and appreciation of the arts and to serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization via the arts.

It is our goal to help further the vision of recreating Collinwood as an arts enclave, reaching out to surrounding neighborhoods to attract more artists, building community between Bratenahl, Euclid, and South Collinwood. We’ll collaborate with all neighborhood groups and businesses like Arts Collinwood, Shore Cultural Center, Collinwood Recreation Center, NorthEast Shores, Councilman Polensek, and other cities’ leaders in order to continue Collinwood’s revitalization.

Evelyn Copan-Bute, former owner of Lake Erie Artists (a gallery in Tower City Center) with over 120 artists, will be the managing director, focusing on gaining exposure for the artists, as well as interviewing new members. The artists will meet regularly and decide collaboratively the continuing evolution and focus of Branches Art Space. We’ll discuss ways we can get more exposure to our art and make a living as artists--(imagine that!) - an artist’s hangout with a mission! One of our goals is to help local artists gain greater exposure and sell their art.

Branches is next door to Beachland Hair Design, occupying the space that was Lakeshore Florists. We were sorry to see them go--I bought a lot of great flowers there over the years.  So visit Susan for a haircut, then come see your local artists at work. We’re hoping you come and visit us often, watch us grow, meet your local artists, and put our art in your space. Come join us! Call Evelyn for further details: Evelyn Copan-Bute, Managing partner, 216-408-5142  evelynbute@adelphia.net.  Susan Brandt, owner. Jerry Schmidt, artist.