Art News

What Do Murals Do For Neighborhoods?

Art is polarizing.

Some of us view a contemporary painting and think, “I, too, could splatter paint, paint one TINY black dot, or flood a canvas with white and only white paint”. Others find subtle, monochromatic brush strokes mesmerizing.

And while each of us can recognize the immense talent needed to sculpt, paint, draw, and construct a museum masterpiece, Degas or Serra might not be your or my favorite.

It’s easy to walk through a gallery and pass up artwork that does not strike you. It’s decidedly more difficult to live in a neighborhood brimming with art that’s not your style.

Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of ArtPlace America, recently spent time in the Waterloo Arts District and spoke highly of our creative movement during a luncheon at The City Club of Cleveland. He spoke passionately of designing public art to “creatively make a place” and identified numerous examples of such interventions in Cleveland (including the “LOCKS of Love, from Waterloo” interactive, extroverted public art fence) funded by grants. NOTE: this art project is the author’s own and if you aren’t pleased with the art you see on Waterloo, come to the fence and affect it visually by adding your own lock!

Mr. Bennett emphasized the need for urban planners to “fundamentally reposition arts and culture as a core sector of community planning”. The question of the role of art in public space is a question I raised earlier this year, also at The City Club, during a discussion on the future of Public Square.  In contrast to the Cleveland project - which focuses on knitting together four squares with grassy lawns and a water feature - Millennium Park in Chicago elevates large-scale public art including an outdoor concrete pavilion, “The Bean”, and interactive digital media towers by big name artists. It is green and watery, too, but the focus is on art, thusly bringing more people into the district.

What Public Square may miss, Waterloo does not. We are a burgeoning, authentic arts district with a diverse history and bright future. Every mural, every sculpture, every gallery exhibition may not be your cup of tea but I urge you to look beyond the paint, steel, and eccentric artists and see the value the arts add to our neighborhood.

Why? Art truly does build community. Think back over the course of this year and the 50+ Collinwood Vibrancy Grant Projects funded by The Kresge Foundation and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and presided over by Northeast Shores CDC. Non-arts based merchants and artists joined arts business along Waterloo to develop free public events, permanent pieces of visual art, and more importantly relationships.

Why else? Art makes a neighborhood safer. Mr. Bennett relayed a number of scenarios and statistics demonstrating how arts-based businesses draw people to a street at all times of the day (imagine   morning coffee and a poetry reading at a café, potters arriving to a mid-morning class, a craft store open from 9-6pm, a restaurant that bustles in the evening, and a concert venue that rocks out into the wee hours of the morning). It’s a fact that more eyes on the street leads to increased safety.

The visual arts, including murals, define our geography as an arts district and allow us to articulate the change we want to see - literally and figuratively as is the case with the “I want Waterloo…” chalk board wall. Art gives those who live, work, and play here a voice, an opportunity to contribute and participate.

Art gives us identity and that’s something to celebrate.

Listen to The City Club of Cleveland lecture at www.cityclub.org/events/creative-placemaking-across-the-united-states

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Volume 6, Issue 9, Posted 10:35 PM, 10.15.2014

Waterloo Arts – A Fall Not To Be Missed

Waterloo Arts is gearing up for an amazing year. Opening on September 5, 2014, 6 pm to 10 pm will be the exhibition “De Materia”, curated by local artist and Cleveland Institute of Art Painting faculty, Lane Cooper (yes that’s me). As an exhibition “De Materia” is meant to reference Alberti’s historic work on painting De Pictura and like Alberti’s seminal work, it sets forth a treatise on art, advocating for work that offers something “more than” the thin and instant, readily consumable experiences that dominate much of current culture.  Its focus is on the real material of art, an unnamable something that marries together the external and internal experience of the viewer. The works ground the viewer in a more expansive experience that requires that one linger. Included in the show will be works by: Bruce Checefsky, Gianna Commito, Sarah Kabot, Paul O’keeffe, Katy Richards, Charles Tucker, Barry Underwood and Nikki Woods.

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Volume 6, Issue 8, Posted 8:13 PM, 09.03.2014

Azure Stained Glass Studio, Restoring Cleveland’s Colorful Past

At the corner of Waterloo Road and E.156th Street lies Azure Stained Glass Studio. You’ve probably driven by them without even knowing it. There is a great story behind their business, as with most of the creative businesses here in the Waterloo Arts District. I first noticed Azure while living in Tremont in 2004. They popped up on Professor Avenue after being chosen for an incubator program, which gave them rent for an entire year for just one dollar. After 4 years in Tremont, it became apparent that they needed a larger space. With a little help from Northeast Shores Development Corporation, they were able to procure the space they are in now. They have been nestled here on Waterloo Road for the past 6 years, with no signs of slowing down.  

Azure Stained Glass Studio is the brainchild of Mary Zodnick and Ben Parsons. Both have been working with stained glass since the 1980’s.  They honed their craft while working for two different established studios in Cleveland, giving them both experience working on large-scale projects. Mary and Ben later formed their own home studios and, eventually in 2004, formed a collaborative business partnership as Azure Studio.

Azure is an immense space, filled with bright colorful glass, whose colors spill forth from the natural window light. It is a fitting building for the work they do; almost as if they chose one another. Some studio spaces feel like an extension of the people inside who are doing the work. This is one of those spaces. I had the chance to speak with Mary and Ben, and ask them a few question about Azure, and the work they do there.

Continued.

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Volume 6, Issue 8, Posted 8:13 PM, 09.03.2014

Summer is Fading – Be Consoled by Music for Miles

The chamber concert series founded at Waterloo Arts in memory of Waterloo enthusiast Miles Kennedy are now in their fourth season, thanks to a very fruitful partnership with the Cleveland Federation of Musicians and the support of the Friends of Waterloo Arts.

As always, the Sunday afternoon series presents a variety of music against a background of the current Waterloo Arts gallery show, further enhanced by the attractions of the neighboring Callaloo Café. And all the concerts are free.

Concerts begin at 4 pm and last about 80 minutes, with a brief intermission, during which many audience members like to visit the café. This is chamber music in a real chamber, intimate and informal. Come for the whole concert, or for only part, if you’re pressed for time. Bring your children, provided they’re quiet. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of tea. Stay after for a West Indian Sunday lunch in the Callaloo.

Continued.

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Volume 6, Issue 8, Posted 8:05 PM, 09.03.2014

FREE! Celebrate the one year anniversary of Phone Gallery – Cleveland's Smallest Art Space

Introducing Phone Gallery - annexed to the front of Russ' Auto Care - in the Waterloo Arts District.

Originally conceived in 2013 by artist Ivana Medukic of 'Project Pop-Up Galleries' and freelance designer Ali Lukacsy, Phone Gallery demonstrates the transformation of an otherwise vacant and underutilized "space" - in this case, an abandoned phone booth - into an inventive place for art display.

Until Phone Gallery was transformed in summer 2013 by Ivana, Ali, and local handyman Doug Holmes, it was utility-less and phone-less. Now, Phone Gallery is always open thanks to an electrical source (light!) and its inherently public and highly visible location just west of E.156th Street on Waterloo Road.

On September 20th from noon-2pm join artists and neighbors to celebrate Phone Gallery’s one year anniversary. This FREE event is made possible by a Collinwood Rising Vibrancy Grant sponsored by Northeast Shores DC, The Kresge Foundation, and Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, collaboratively earned by long time Waterloo business Russ’ Auto Care and neighborhood resident and artist Ali Lukacsy.

Continued.

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Volume 6, Issue 8, Posted 8:09 PM, 09.03.2014

Pin up Beauties offered at Beachland Hair Design

Want to have the latest look off the fashion runways? Try a vintage retro look. Many of the worlds largest clothing designers, this past year, strutted vintage style clothing and hairstyle,on their runways, done current and tastfully retro.

Surprising that special someone, with your picture as a pin up doll? Need to update a modeling portfolio? Want to change your look into something maybe vintage? Vixen? Samantha Stevensish?  Beachland Hair Design has the ablility to transform you into a beautiful pin up babe, or motorcycle vixen, or just a glamourous beautiful women Hollywood or should I say, Collinwood style.  

Pictured ,are examples of the work we offer,Beachland Hair Design can custom select the clothing along with styles in a vintage vibe with a newance and make up services  We highly recommend shopping local if your inclined to pick out the clothing yourself  Just make sure that most or all of the clothing, undergarments, shoes, jewlery are age appropriate and when combined, actually make sense,  

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Volume 6, Issue 7, Posted 10:06 PM, 08.04.2014

Ground-Breaking Exhibition Showcases Incredible Versatility of Handmade Paper

Thirteen contemporary North American artists inspired by centuries-old Eastern papermaking traditions display their cutting-edge work in an inaugural exhibition celebrating the Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory and Educational Foundation’s new Eastern Paper Studio.  

Revive and Renew: Contemporary Artists & Eastern Papers will be presented from August 1 through September 20 in the arts organization’s remarkable facility in Cleveland’s Midtown neighborhood. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am- 4pm, and the opening reception for the exhibition will take place Friday August 1 from 7-9pm.  

Revive and Renew brings together visionary artists from thousands of miles away and right here in Northeast Ohio, each one with a unique approach to incorporating ancient Eastern papermaking techniques into their art.   
“When I researched Korean papermaking on a Fulbright grant six years ago, it transformed my studio work. Now, I am excited to see a growing number of artists who integrate Asian paper, techniques, and materials in their art—friends, colleagues, and former students alike,” says EPS Artist-in-Residence Aimee Lee.

Lee is among the artists featured in Revive and Renew. Others include Velma Bolyard, Melissa Jay Craig, Bill Lorton, Emma Nishimura, and Tom Balbo, a 35-year veteran paper artist and Morgan Conservatory’s Artistic Director.   

As a project of its new Eastern Paper Studio, this exhibition marks a major expansion of Morgan Conservatory’s vision.  

Revive and Renew and Morgan Conservatory’s new Eastern Paper Studio are supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, The George Gund Foundation, The Eaton Corporation, and by numerous individual donors.

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Volume 6, Issue 7, Posted 10:06 PM, 08.04.2014

Cleveland Museum of Art “Community Engagement 360⁰ Initiative

Collinwood and Cleveland Museum of Art team up to increase programming for citizens of all ages.

A fledgling partnership of Collinwood and the Cleveland Museum of Art is already starting to show some results for Collinwood residents of all ages. 

Under the leadership of Caroline Peak, Manager, Cleveland Public Library Collinwood Branch, who organized a work team made up of representatives from Cleveland Public Library, Northeast Shores Development Corporation, Waterloo Arts and Collinwood High School, a number of solid results are already in progress. These include museum-library collaboration on a number of activities at the Memorial-Nottingham and Collinwood libraries.  The activities incorporate art literacy into the existing library summer reading program with the goal to increase reading skills and comprehension by making a connection between works of art and books.

Peak is continuing to convene representatives from Collinwood groups to explore additional opportunities to bring art-related programs into our neighborhoods and also to welcome people to the museum.  Ideas include art-related programming with local artists, art murals with high school students and group tours and activities that bring families together and support teachers to engage with parents.  A “Collinwood Day” at the museum is also being planned for late 2014.

More than a year ago, the museum launched what it calls “Community Engagement 360⁰, a leadership group that has facilitated conversations with residents within the Collinwood, Glenville and Hough neighborhoods. The focus of these community conversations was to explore neighborhood-identified priority areas in which the museum could partner with residents and organizations.

Through these community conversations, groups have learned more about existing programs already offered by the museum, as well as identified new opportunities to create and design programming specifically addressing the needs of our communities.

The Cleveland Museum of Art is free and open to the public and offers an abundance of programs and activities for groups, families, children, seniors and adults of all ages. Visit www.clevelandart.org or call (216) 421.7350 for more information.

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Volume 6, Issue 6, Posted 1:36 PM, 07.12.2014

Auditions For Fiddler on the Roof

Silhouette Productions and Shore Cultural Centre Announces Auditions for Fiddler on the Roof a musical theatre tradition! Winner of 10 Tony Awards when it debuted in 1965, the show is the brainchild of Broadway legends Jerome Robbins, Harold Prince, songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and bookwriter Joseph Stein. Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, this universal show is a staple of the musical theatre canon. 

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with tradition in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Directed by Douglas F. Bailey II
Musical direction by Dave Coxe
Choreographed by Tara Mirabile

Auditions will be held at Shore Cultural Center 
291 East 222nd Street Euclid, Ohio Room 241

July 28th and 29th from 7-9:30 PM. No appointment necessary!

Callbacks July 30th 7-930 PM

Please prepare a short selection in the style of the show. Bring Sheet music, an accompanist will be provided.
Dress for movement.

Performance Dates:
October 17th-26th

FOR CASTING DESCRIPTIONS VISIT http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000036

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Volume 6, Issue 6, Posted 1:36 PM, 07.12.2014

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Now Accepting Applications for Funding in 2015

Grants Available for 501c3 Nonprofits Presenting Arts and Cultural Programming in Cuyahoga County

CLEVELAND (May 20, 2014) – Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) encourages 501c3 nonprofit organizations offering arts and cultural programming in Cuyahoga County to apply for funding in 2015 through its General Operating Support or Project Support grant programs. 

CAC is now accepting applications to the following grant programs:

  • General Operating Support provides two years of unrestricted, core support for Cuyahoga County-based 501c3 nonprofit organizations that have a primary mission of arts or culture. Grant size is determined by formula.
  • Project Support I offers grants of up to $50,000 for 501c3 nonprofit organizations presenting arts or cultural projects in Cuyahoga County in 2015. 
  • Project Support II offers grants of up to $5,000 for 501c3 nonprofit organizations presenting arts or cultural projects in Cuyahoga County in 2015.

The Eligibility Check, the first step in the application process, is due Wednesday, June 25, 2014 by 4:30 pm. If eligible, an organization may submit an application, which is due Thursday, August 28, 2014 by 4:30 pm.  Organizations may only apply to one grant program.

“Since 2007, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has invested $112 million through nearly 1,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Cuyahoga County, and we welcome organizations offering arts and culture programs to apply now for CAC grants in 2015,” said Executive Director Karen Gahl-Mills. “Our county is fortunate to have this source of public funding for arts and culture, which strengthens our community by making it a better place to live, work and play.”

Continued.


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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 5:37 PM, 06.09.2014

"Tranquility Amidst Urban Geometry"

A new ART Gallery is slated To open in Collinwood. Satellite Gallery an east side art installation space, owned by Loren Naji, will host it's inaugural exhibit on Friday June 6th from 6:00 until 10:00 pm. Invited artists have selected rooms in which they will build their “installations”.  The gallery is located at 442 East 156th Street. One of the guest artists, Diane Collins, is constructing her piece on the back porch. She has entitled it "Tranquility Amidst Urban Geometry". Collins has invited Euclid artist, Laureen Deveney, to collaborate and integrate work into the finished composition. Collins' daughter, Amelia, age 18, will also contribute, making this her debut into the Cleveland art scene.

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 11:44 AM, 06.09.2014

Silhouette Productions Announces Auditions for Fiddler on the Roof

It’s a Family Affair. Come One, Come All. Many roles for all ages.

Auditions at the Shore Cultural Center

291 East 222nd Street Euclid, Ohio

July 28th  & 29th 7:00 to 9:30 pm

Call backs July 30th 7:00 to 9:30 pm

Room 241

Bring sheet music, accompanist provided. Be prepared for choreography.

Directed by Douglas F. Bailey II

Music by David Coxe

Choreography by Tara Marie Mirabile

Show dates:  October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, & 26

Questions, please call Charlotte at 216-219-3630

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 11:44 AM, 06.09.2014

YARN n YOGA celebrates, remembers Euclid Beach Pier

And another one bites the dust.

Since 1895 the Euclid Beach Pier has withstood the wrath of Lake Erie in Cleveland’s North Collinwood neighborhood, but this Fall the wrath of the wrecking ball it shall meet.

Cleveland Metroparks has great plans for the lakefront property, including a new and improved fishing pier, but for those who lived and loved on this historic pier - especially in the heyday of the amusement park - this is a major loss.

Bid farewell to the century old Euclid Beach Pier on Friday, July 25th from 6-9pm during Cleveland’s first large-scale yarn storm and free sunset yoga and meditation session on the beach led by Blissful Cleveland.

YARN n YOGA is a community-made, community-installed, and community-supported public art project organized by North Shore Collinwood resident, Ali Lukacsy. For those not familiar, yarn bombing is a fun, bright, beautiful way to celebrate public space. Unlike graffiti, yarn bombing is done without any damage to historic structures or the natural landscape, is temporary, and easily removable.

Continued.

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Volume 6, Issue 5, Posted 11:44 AM, 06.09.2014

No Vacancy Here: Art in (Phone) Box

A few weekends ago Phone Gallery - Cleveland's Smallest Gallery – opened it’s first curated show, #ThisisWaterloo, a revolving set of crowd-sourced photographs taken by visitors, residents, and merchants in the Waterloo Arts District.

In the shadows of Russ’ Auto, I stood in front of the once vacant, phoneless box and tinkered with the format of the first 16 photographs now on view through mid-May when a new batch of photographs will replace the initial selections. I drew the attention of curious on-lookers and happily chatted about the project’s aspirations to engage any and everyone who finds themselves on Waterloo. Not once but twice I was offered the use of a stranger’s cell phone or directed down the street to an operable pay phone. I can only imagine how bizarre I looked, reaching through the wormhole for a phone receiver that is long gone.

Originally conceived in 2013 through collaboration between artist Ivana Medukic of 'Project Pop-Up Galleries' and myself and executed by neighborhood handyman Doug Holmes, Phone Gallery demonstrates the transformation of an otherwise underutilized "space" into an inventive place for art display.

It’s mission is to exhibit neighborhood-centric work by local artists, promoting Collinwood and its people to Cleveland and beyond. For the first exhibition, the goal is to engage people who otherwise might not describe themselves as artists or might not otherwise find time to visit Waterloo.

Continued.

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Volume 6, Issue 4, Posted 2:17 PM, 05.14.2014

“LOCKS of Love” finds new home

All press is good press. If you’ve been paying attention to the local news abuzz over the happenings in the Waterloo Arts District, you’d know that 2014 is a year of great press.

On March 7th, 2014 LOCKS of Love, from Waterloo launched with a free public event held in Mac’s Lock Shop on Waterloo Road. This event was made possible through the generous support of The Kresge Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and Northeast Shores Development Corporation.

A large crowd flooded Mac’s from 5-9pm on an unusually warm late winter’s evening to hand stamp their initials, name, or other short message into the body of an outmoded, non-TSA approved luggage lock. These locks were then affixed to an expanded mesh and plaster sculpture, currently on display in Mac’s alongside an upcycled key mobile titled “Keys to the Street”.

A re-opening of LOCKS will take place during the next “Walk All Over Waterloo”, the monthly first Friday art crawl. Join neighbors and fellow artists at the new and final location: a chainlink fence down the street from Mac’s, in front of the Zaller Building and the Waterloo Sculpture Garden.

Continued.

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Volume 6, Issue 3, Posted 3:09 PM, 04.07.2014

Events at the Boardwalk- May 2nd Walk All Over Waterloo

With warmer weather finally approaching, we are excited to invite you out of the house for a night of fun and surprises on Waterloo, Friday, May 2nd! There is a lot happening at the SS&W Boardwalk that evening. The bar has been making several improvements during the construction time, and this includes a new draft system! Gone are the days of not being able to get a nice cold draft! They will be putting the new system to work for the first time and will be serving cold ones all night to the tunes of The Madison Crawl, their favorite barrel house boogie band! Another component for the event includes an "Open House" of the second floor of the building- a massive upstairs that is divided up into twelve rooms, 2 newly remodeled bathrooms, and a common area- that once served as doctors' offices and even a place for railroaders to rest for the night. Today, they are offering several of these rooms for rent as artists studios at an affordable rate on a monthly basis. If that is not enough for you, The Boardwalk has sponsored a local artist to create a public art scavenger hunt. Life size tape replicas of Clevelanders will light up the street and various businesses- something unexpected and fun that you'll truly have to see to appreciate! Find them all and receive a special treat from the Boardwalk! If you are interested in seeing how these sculptures are made, she will be out and about on the weekends in April creating them- keep an eye out! Specifically, Saturday April 12th, 3 scultpures will be made at the Boardwalk starting at 7 pm, pizza provided if you come to watch or get involved. SO- Get excited for May people! Make sure you get out of the house and Walk All Over Waterloo on Friday, May 2nd! 

Public Art & Studio Open House- 6-10 pm

Madison Crawl 8-12 pm

The SS&W Boardwalk 16011 Waterloo Road

This event was made possible by the Collinwood Vibrancy Program through Northeast Shores Development Corporation, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, and the Kresge Foundation.

 

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Volume 6, Issue 3, Posted 2:30 PM, 04.07.2014

Creative Painting

Creative Painting with artists and teachers, William Denihan and Doug Rothschild.

Saturdays 10:00am - 1:30 pm

APRIL 12th & 26th

MAY 10th & 24th

JUNE 14th & 28th

No art experience necessary!

Collinwood Neighborhood Catholic Ministry

15706 St. Clair Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio  44110

To sign up or for more information call:

216-481-8182

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Volume 6, Issue 3, Posted 2:48 PM, 04.07.2014

Upstage Players Celebrates 20th Anniversary

North Collinwood’s UpStage Players, one of Northeast Ohio’s hardest working children’s theatre companies, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2014 with the beloved musical Godspell Jr.  Tickets are now on sale!

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Volume 6, Issue 2, Posted 6:51 PM, 03.14.2014

Music Saves in Lego Form

We are celebrating our 10th year of business in 2014, and are planning a slew of special events and surprises in order to celebrate! We hope you will join us for as many of these as you can!

On Saturday, January 18th, Lego man Ben Shuber completed the building of a Lego replica of MUSIC SAVES, right here in the store! Folks hung out and watched it come together while Mike Uva played a couple live sets for us!

The Lego MUSIC SAVES is permanently housed in a clear box, and displayed in the store, for all to see!

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 6:22 PM, 02.07.2014

"Frequency"-- Propaganda-haunted realism

Cleveland-based painter Mike Meier’s paintings and drawings explore a mysteriously potent visual realm, balanced between depiction and abstraction. Following in the footsteps of contemporary European painters such as Michael Borremans, Luc Tuymans, and Gerhardt Richter, Meier combines a propaganda-haunted realism with a sense of the abstract, dehumanizing force of repetition. His paintings seem in search of the vibrating, ghost-like space of the individual, all but dematerialized, haunting the machine of recent history.

Meier was born in Cleveland and teaches Foundation Drawing at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he earned his BFA.

Waterloo Arts Gallery (FKA Arts Collinwood), 15605 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110

Gallery Hours: Tue – Sun 4-10pm or by appointment. Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/523548087742501/ Contact Information: Amy Callahan, 216-692-9500, a.callahan@artscollinwood.org

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 6:16 PM, 02.07.2014

Mirrors Shine At Beachland

Mirrors reprised their fantastic show at the WRUW Studio A Rama in September with an equally outstanding show at the Beachland Ballroom on the very snowy night of January 25. The line-up for the show was Jamie Klimek on guitar and lead vocals, Craig Bell on bass, Jim Crook on guitar, Tom Fallon on guitar, Dave Franduto on guitar, and Tom Madej on drums. Four guitars, creating a wall of sound, each very different guitar player finding his own space in a power guitar quartet--in this line-up's second performance together. 

Mirrors opened each of their two sets with a Velvet Underground cover, first with "There She Goes Again" and second with "Venus In Furs." They also did some songs they didn't get to play at Studio A Rama, such as "How Could I," "I'm The One," "Here We Are Again," "Penthouse Legend," "Another Nail In The Coffin," and "I Saw You" (not to be confused with "I Saw You And," which they also played, or "And I Saw You" which they did not.)  The performance proved why they are frequently referred to as legendary as they moved easily from punk to pop to jamming with the Lord, with a Gospel-like appeal to Jesus followed by "God Says" (F*** You.)  They were funny, relaxed with the crowd and obviously had a great time themselves. Opening band St. Jayne did an excellent job of warming up the crowd, doing several Easter Monkeys songs.

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 7:00 PM, 02.07.2014

iMedia coaches rising stars Collinwood Rec

2014 has brought new and exciting opportunities to the digital media class that meets at the Collinwood Recreation Center on Wednesdays at 4:30pm.

First, we have a new name, our program is now known as iMedia. This program allows our youth, ages 13-18, to explore career opportunities associated with radio, media and the arts.

Devon Merritt, a rising R&B singer, who was discovered at the iMedia class by music executive and radio personality Darvio "Kingpin" Morrow of The Avenue Radio Show, on WHK 1420am performed at the Cavaliers vs. the Chicago Bulls game during Primetime on January 22nd.  

Rakim Huff, aspiring actor and director, is up for an audition at a local Westside theater.   One of our new opportunities is an online magazine called Volume Magazine, which is a Cleveland-centric entertainment & pop culture online magazine, with the following subjects: music, fashion, film/tv/radio, sports, arts and culture. We need inspiring writers, if you are interested contact us at volumemagcle@gmail.com. Volume Magazine was co-funded by Neighborhood Connections and the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 6:36 PM, 02.07.2014

Moon 3 Lands on Waterloo

Moon3 (cubed) is an invitational, guerilla-like, public art installation featuring 38 emerging and established, local and regional artists –  curated by local artist and gallery owner, Loren Naji.  Moon3 is the latest public art project by Naji, whose Satellite gallery will soon open in Collinwood with exhibition space on its interior and exterior.

Each artist was provided with a 2ft x 4ft piece of plywood to do with whatever they please.  On Saturday, January 18th, the public and the media was invited to witness history as all 38 artists will bring their own hammers and install their boards in a barn raising-like fashion on a room-size skeleton constructed by Naji.  Brooklyn-based artist Julie Schenkelberg will create an installation for the interior of the “Moon Cube”.  As of January 16th, her work will also be installed at the Sculpture Center.

Participating artists include Alenka Banco, Justin Brennan, John Carlson, Dan Corrigan, Jen Craun, Dana Depew, Andy Dreamingwolf, Steve Ehret, Ali Forbes, Punk Fargo, Hilary Gent, Michael Gill, Erin Guido, Ron Johnston, George Kocar, Joe Lanzilotta, James March, Steven Mastroianni, Liz Maugans, Jim Morano, Betsi Morris, Loren Naji, Rick Novario, Angela Oster, Bob Peck, Angelica Pozo, Melinda Placko, Ed Raffel, Thom Rossino, Julie Schenkelberg, Mike Sobeck, Grace Summanen, Omid Tavakoli, Robert Thurmer, Josh Usmani, Daive Whaley, Grace Wen and Gadi Zamir. 

 

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 7:24 PM, 02.07.2014

Independent Pictures And Waterloo Arts Present The Expolitation Film Classics Series

Independent Pictures, the parent organization of the Ohio Independent Film Festival, announces the screening of rare exploitation films from the 1930s at Waterloo Arts 15605 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH 44110 (216) 692-9500.  “This is the perfect film festival for the Waterloo Arts entertainment district”, states Todd Kwait, Board Member of Independent Pictures.

Kwait states “The popularity of our December 2013 screening of Maniac (1934) has prompted us to dig deep into our vaults and unearth more exploitation classics. The so-called "educational" aspects of these films allowed the depiction of taboo subjects that were prohibited by The Motion Picture Code. Watching these films today is a real hoot!  They are best enjoyed as a group activity, primed by liquor, etc.  Come on down and have a blast!”  Admission is free!!!!

All Films Will Start at 8:00 PM. Enter at the Café located on the corner of East 156th Street and Waterloo. Hosted by Todd Kwait and Robert Banks of Independent Pictures.

Friday, March 7, 2014: "Marihuana" (1936) 60 Minutes. Directed by Dwain Esper.

A young teenage girl ends up at a pot smoking party, goes skinny dipping and ends up pregnant. Her drug smuggling boyfriend is killed, she ends up a heroin addict and ends up kidnapping her own child that she had previously put up for adoption. You think that you have problems! 

Friday, April 4, 2014: "The Cocaine Fiends" (1936) 60 Minutes. Directed by William A. O'Conner.

A small town girl is offered "headache powder" which turns out to be cocaine. The moral of the story, do not sniff white powder.

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 7:32 PM, 02.07.2014

My Collinwood/Your Art

There’s a new stop on next month’s “Walk All Over Waterloo” first Friday’s art crawl.

Join your neighbors at Mac’s Lock Shop - the oldest business on the street -  at 15702 Waterloo Road for “LOCKS of Love, from Waterloo.” The FREE event will be held from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, March 7th, 2014 and is open to all.

Why would you go to a locksmith on a Friday evening? Assuming you’re not locked out of your house, the answer may not be obvious.

Thanks to generous support from the Collinwood Rising Vibrancy Grant made possible by North East Shores Development Corporation and the Kresge Foundation, Mac’s will be hosting one of many FREE grant-funded events popping up along Waterloo during the massive streetscape renovation.

Myself and one of Mac’s employees, Perry Prine, have been brainstorming this event since I needed to make use of Mac’s wonderful locksmith service back in December. Perry and I got to talking over a can of WD-40 and the partnership was born.

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Volume 6, Issue 1, Posted 7:50 PM, 02.07.2014

50th Annual Thanksgiving Polka Party Weekend

The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum presents the 50th annual Thanksgiving Polka Party Weekend at the Cleveland Marriott Hotel and the 25th Awards Show spectacular, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 28, 29 and 30, 2013.

Celebrate fifty years of polka fun at one of the country’s biggest polka festivals, a three-day polka marathon featuring the finest Cleveland-Style Polka and Slovenian performers from the U. S. and Canada. The Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show celebrates annual and lifetime achievers with a gala stage production at Euclid Auditorium on Saturday, November 30.

Sixteen dance bands are featured in the Marriott Grand Ballroom. This year’s featured performers include Canada’s Polka King Walter Ostanek, the Joey Tomsick Orchestra (2012 Band of the Year), the George Staiduhar Orchestra (2012 Album of the Year) and RFD-TV’s popular Squeezebox with Mollie B. Darling Mollie and the boys pack them in across the Polka Belt with their up-tempo takes on old-time polkas and waltzes.

The Marriott Grand Ballroom is the main music venue with non-stop entertainment from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, the traditional Polka Mass begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by dancing until midnight. The hotel’s catering department prepares a menu of favorite nationality dishes for sale. You can order sausages made by Azman Quality Meats of Euclid, Ohio, the winner of the Slovenian Sausage Festival.

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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 7:25 PM, 11.10.2013

Snag some history at Space: ROCK

Wouldn’t a photo of your favorite musician or that concert you still remember fondly look great on your wall? Music photography gallery Space ROCK (15721 Waterloo Road) will offer you the chance to snag that photo while picking up some additional prints for holiday gift-giving.

The gallery will host two holiday photo sales in December, featuring work by some of the area’s top music photographers, including Joe Kleon, Janet Macoska, Karen Novak, Anastasia Pantsios, and George Shuba.

They’ll take place from 6-10 pm Friday December 6 during Walk All Over Waterloo, and noon-4:30 pm Saturday December 14, to coincide with the annual Beachland Ballroom Holiday Flea Market, giving music-lovers a reason to spend the afternoon on Waterloo.

Visitors will be able to buy prints directly from the photographer of both major superstar acts and popular local bands. They’ll include Shuba’s photos of ’60s acts like the Beatles, the Who, Sonny & Cher and the many hit artists who appeared on Cleveland’s nationally syndicated Upbeat Show for which Shuba was the house photographer. But they’ll also include the photos that Kleon has shot recently of artists like Taylor Swift, Alice Cooper, and Michael Stanley.

If you stop in to browse and chat with the photographers, you’ll also be able to see Space: ROCK’s current show, A Sound Baseline: Making Music Work, devoted to the behind-the-scenes that keep the area music scene humming. That show runs through the end of December.

For more information, visit us on Facebook or email spacerockgallery@gmail.com.

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Volume 5, Issue 10, Posted 7:40 PM, 11.10.2013

New Space: ROCK Show to Highlight Music's Behind-the-Scenes People

A Sound Baseline: Making Music Work opens October 19

Music fans understandably focus their attention on the performers and the excitement on the stage. But it takes a village to get that show happening — a village of support businesses and personnel who provide what is needed to get the music to the fans.

Waterloo Road gallery Space: ROCK’s next show, A Sound Baseline: Making Music Work, focuses on these unsung heroes. It features the people and businesses in northeast Ohio who provide such support services — recording studios, equipment manufacturers, music stores, sound/production companies, mastering suites, duplication companies, and others.

The show opens Saturday October 19 with a reception from 6-10 pm. It will also be open from 6-10 pm Friday November 1 for Walk All Over Waterloo, as well as the gallery’s regular hours, 1-5 pm Saturday and Sunday. It will run through the end of November.

Four area photographers — Joe Kleon, Anastasia Pantsios, Mara Robinson, and North Collinwood resident Michael Spear — have photographed nearly three dozen local businesses, which support the music scene, provide jobs for area residents, and bolster the local economy.

They include Gotta Groove Records, which started to press vinyl records near downtown Cleveland just as vinyl was becoming popular again and now makes records for bands and musicians from all over; Suma Recording in Painesville, which has recorded internationally celebrated luminaries like Pere Ubu, as well as many local artists; and Earthquaker Pedals, which started as one man’s hobby and now employs 18 people in Akron, making guitar sound-processing pedals now sold in more than 150 music stores around the world.

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Volume 5, Issue 9, Posted 10:17 AM, 10.11.2013

"Can you hear us now?" Four Clevelanders set out to change Talk Radio

In early 2013, when Collinwood resident Darvio “The Kingpin” Morrow and Brittany Williams had a downtown meeting with executives from Salem Communications-owned WHK-AM, they had no idea that this would lead them down the path of potentially changing talk radio in Cleveland – and the nation.

“I was originally supposed to be working with someone else,” said Darvio. “I had known Brittany a little bit from some mutual friends we had, but we weren't really close at all at the time. So the two of us were in this meeting, and I was thinking that I was going to be working with someone else and that Britt was just the conduit, and all of a sudden, plans change, we have a time slot, and now we have to figure out what to do with it.”

What came out of constant conversations between Darvio and Brittany afterward, along with the addition of Doug Magill and “THE” Andre Cato to the fold, was a show that could revolutionize the talk radio industry. “I knew I wanted to do something different. I knew I didn't want to do the standard AM radio talk show,” said Darvio. “Brittany had introduced me to Doug, who is a talk radio veteran and he kinda just encouraged me to be fearless with what I wanted to do and to follow my vision.”

That vision became “The Avenue.”

The Avenue is a new concept in talk radio. It combines the comedy and pop culture elements of the Hot Talk genre, which is typically heard on FM stations (Elvis Duran, Tom Joyner, Russ Paar, etc.) with the traditionally more news and issues-oriented shows often heard on AM radio.

“The Avenue is culture and entertainment news with a fresh perspective and new, local voices,” said Brittany.

“We have some outrageous conversations but then at a moment's notice, we can flip it,” Darvio added. “Whether it's an interview or serious discussion about something news-related or political, we can show our consciousness and give our perspective.”

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Volume 5, Issue 8, Posted 12:59 PM, 09.12.2013

Genesis guitar player rocks the Beachland for Hospice of the Western Reserve

Daryl Stuermer, guitar and bass player for Genesis and lead guitar for Phil Collins on most of his solo albums and tours, played to a crowded house at the Beachland Ballroom on Friday evening, August 09, 2013. The benefit for the Hospice of the Western Reserve rocked the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110).

Mr. Stuermer played the fundraiser for the Hospice of the Western Reserve as an acknowledgment and thank you for the services the non-profit agency provided to Mr. Stuermer’s mother-in-law. The crowd enjoyed an evening filled with new material as well as classic rock bits which illustrated the depth and breadth of Mr. Stuermer’s career.

Mr. Stuermer is a masterful guitar player. His ability to wow the crowd with riffs and licks was amazing (and most appreciated by the audience). The show opened with “Duke’s Intro - Just a Job to Do” and mellowed into “Throwing it All Away,” “No Son of Mine” and “Heavy Heart.”

Sax player and vocalist Woody Mankowski got the crowd out of their chairs with a smokin’ version of “I Can’t Dance.” As well as being a masterful sax player, Mr. Mankowski has a great voice well suited to the style of music popularized by Phil Collins and Genesis.

Keyboardist Kostia Efimov is a classical piano and keyboard marvel. Hailing from the former USSR, Mr. Efimov presents skills and style rarely seen in popular music groups. Hearing him play was a rare treat.

Bassist Eric Hervey has been with the "Daryl Stuermer Band" since 1995. He laid down a bass line that grounded the presentation. Drummer Alan Arber’s work was solid. He never missed a beat. The show was a mix of Genesis material and original tunes.

The sound man did a great job. The audio was balanced with just the right emphasis on each instrument. The smooth, polished and professional show finished with huge renditions of “Masala Mantra” and “Land of Confusion” (a very well-known Genesis recording).

Mr. Stuermer performed a great service for an organization whose value cannot be overstated. Proceeds from the concert will support programs Hospice of the Western Reserve offers that are not covered by Medicare and private insurance.  Examples include art, music, massage and pet therapy, pediatric hospice care and fulfilling special wishes for patients.  Those wishing to support the agency’s work can make tax deductible donations online or by contacting call Laura Lee Martin, Senior Development Officer, at 216.383.3716, or lmartin@hospicewr.org.

Jim Juknialis is one of the founders and organizers of the East Shore Park Club Summer Concert series. A former club owner, with an appreciation for music that ranges from Kid Rock to classical, Jim is an enthusiastic supporter of the local music scene. He has lived in North Collinwood for more than 20 years.

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Volume 5, Issue 8, Posted 1:21 PM, 09.12.2013

13 Questions with Eliot Lipp - Coming to the Beachland Aug 22

1- What was your first live concert?  It was Babes in Toyland, The Melvins and White Zombie  
2- How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before? Electro Funk, an organic fusion of Techno and Soul. 
3- When did you start making music? And what instruments did you start with?   I started playing piano at about 9 or 10, and I played drums all through High School.    4- What is different about this tour? I have a live drummer & live guitar and I'm playing all the songs on my brand new album "Watch the Shadows" 
5- Of everywhere you've lived, where do you consider home? And where is your favorite home away from home? Brooklyn definitely feels like home to me after being there for 8 years now. Miami is my fav home away from home though I know a handful of really good people there and every time I go I say I'm gonna move there.
6- Have you ever been to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? No. I should finally make a trip there when we get to Cleveland. 
7- Of all of your collaborations, who were you the most excited to work with? I'm in the middle of one with Z-Trip right now. When he hit me up out of the blue about it I was pretty excited. 
8- What is your Favourite Colour?  Any shade between Turquoise & Chartreuse, preferably a neon or a day-glo version of it.
9- Thrift shop or designer clothes? 90% thrift 10% designer   
10- Cats or Dogs? Cats 
11- What is your favorite scent? There is a certain perfume that rich european ladies wear, don't know what brand it is or anything. 
12- What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Vanilla. 
13- What are you looking forward to doing while you're here in Cleveland?   Catching up with my ppl out there is always a good time. 


For more info check out: http://eliotlipp.com/

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Volume 5, Issue 7, Posted 10:58 AM, 08.09.2013

Four Photographers Capture This Year's Lottery League in new Space: ROCK Photo Show

The 2013 Lottery League draft at the Beachland Ballroom February 1 kicked off two and a half months of rehearsals that culminated with the Big Show MMXIII at the Agora April 13.

Four photographers — Ken Blaze, Shel Greenberg, Frank Lanza, and Lou Muenz — captured the color, the excitement, the grit, the humor and the camaraderie of the process.

Their photos comprise From The Draft to The Big Show: The 2013 Cleveland Lottery League in Photos, opening at Space: ROCK, the music photographer gallery at 15721 Waterloo Road, on Friday August 2 from 6-10 pm. That’s also the night of the monthly Walk All Over Waterloo.

This year’s Cleveland Lottery League — the third time it’s taken place — was the largest and most spectacular yet. 169 Cleveland area musicians put their names into consideration to be drawn at random to form 42 completely new bands at the Draft.

The photographers captured it all — the suspense of finding out who your new bandmates were, the getting-to-know-you process of rehearsals, Slot Selection night aka the Bowling Party at the Madison Lanes when bands drew for their time slots, and of course, the 12-hour Big Show MMXIII.

From The Draft to The Big Show will feature nearly 100 photos so that those who were there can relieve the fun, and those who weren’t can kick themselves that they missed it.

The show will run through the end of September. Space: ROCK is open from 1-5 pm Saturday and Sunday and the from 6-10 pm the first Friday of each month.

For more information, please contact Anastasia Pantsios at 216-932-4835 or anastasjoy@aol.com.

Anastasia Pantsios is a Cleveland writer and photographer with an emphasis on music and the arts. She is the director of the Space: ROCK Gallery on Waterloo.

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Volume 5, Issue 7, Posted 12:41 PM, 08.09.2013

Gaia Street Art

A blend of the urban landscape and fine art, that is what Baltimore based street artist Gaia displays in his new Waterloo mural. A young artist, who has already gained critical acclaim around the world, Gaia got his start making posters in New York and moved to wall murals as a way to do his art in a larger and more provocative way.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:55 PM, 06.29.2013

RAE

Bright colors, free flowing lines and in some cases reminiscent of cubism. These are what a viewer might expect to find in the work of one of Waterloo’s most recent visiting street artists RAE. A Brooklyn native, RAE’s interest in street art was sparked from his interactions with hip-hop and graffiti in his neighborhood growing up. Always interested in drawing, he wanted to paint outside so that his work could be shared. He explained that art was something that should be out in the open and viewed by all. When talking about his Collinwood piece, RAE explains that, like all of his work, he likes to use the features of the wall and play off it. Many of the lines were done without ever picking up the brush or spray can, like drawing without ever lifting the pencil.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:55 PM, 06.29.2013

Zoetic Walls Project

If Waterloo is going to be an Arts district, it should probably look like one. At least that was the thinking of Amy Callahan, Executive Director of Arts Collinwood.

Amy has been largely responsible for the new murals that have been popping up all over the Waterloo Arts District. It’s called the Zoetic Walls Project and it is showcasing the work of local, national, and international street artists. Walls are being transformed from bland and underutilized spaces into colorful, thought-provoking works of art. The project was created as a way to help improve the aesthetic of the neighborhood but also as a means of placemaking, showcasing Waterloo as a community where the arts are meant to thrive and be appreciated by all, a collision of fine art and urban living.

The murals have done more than just beautify the urban landscape but also serve as a forum for community engagement.  Amy shared how she was pleasantly surprised about the amount of discussion there has been about the work and is happy to see that community members are excited to join in a conversation to talk about our neighborhood spaces.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:42 PM, 06.29.2013

Local Paint

It is the vision of street artists that have helped bring new murals to the Waterloo Arts District but it is the generosity of local companies that have helped to turn that vision into a reality.

The golden paint used in the creation of the mural by the Detroit based art group the Hygienic Dress League was made possible with the help of Sheffield Bronze Paint Corporation located at 17814 South Waterloo Road and the Cleveland Paint Company at 855 East 222nd St. in Euclid.

Sheffield manufactured and then sold the paint much below cost to the Cleveland Paint Company who donated their markup. As owner of Sheffield Paint, Mel Hart explained, “We try to help the city whenever we can…our company has a history of helping with projects and we like to stay true to that. We do the best we can for our neighborhood.”

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:55 PM, 06.29.2013

Pawn Works Street Art

It seems that every few days there is a new mural being painted by street artists from around the world in the Waterloo Arts District. This is in large part due to the efforts of Chicago based street art curators and facilitators Nick Marzullo and Seth Mooney who co-founded the group Pawn Works. The pair is helping find and bring the artists who paint the murals of the Zoetic Walls Project to the neighborhood.

Marzullo and Mooney, who are reaching out to all branches of the street art world, actually stem from local roots. Marzullo was born in Collinwood but grew up in Bainbridge Township. The partnership started with a gallery space and evolved overtime into the full time curation of outdoor street art. Pawn Works now works with street artists to find walls, build hype for their shows, and help promote the art. They chose specific artist for specific spaces and are very conscious of what and whose at goes where. Street art has been incredibly popular in Europe in recent years and that popularity is now coming to the United States. Pawn Works is playing a big role in making American street art happen. The group came to Collinwood when they were contacted by Amy Callahan at Arts Collinwood with her idea for the Zoetic Walls Project. Nick explained that he was “excited to be back working in Cleveland.” He also talked about how “this project is all about bringing beauty to a neighborhood, letting people know this is an artistic and creative place.” Pawn Works has been the irreplaceable middle man in this project bringing urban artists from around the world to paint within the Waterloo Arts District. In the weeks to come, they will bring even more artists to the neighborhood and growing its creative vibrancy.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:43 PM, 06.29.2013

Ever Street Art

A Communist metaphor, a Rust Belt reimagining or just some guy, Argentinian street artist Ever’s mural has a commanding presence as it watches over the intersection of Waterloo and E. 156th street.

Ever is the first artist to paint as part of the Zoetic Arts Project. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Ever has painted murals around the world. He got his start (like many street artists) painting letters in his neighborhood back in the 1990’s. As he evolved as an artist, he began to do more portraiture, often of people he does not even know.

His Collinwood mural is characteristic of his style as he juxtaposes the realistic with the totally abstract. His work is atypical of many street artists as such portraiture is not typically seen in the medium. Ever attempts to make his work relevant to North Collinwood residence as his images of tools and workers celebrate the rich industrial heritage and blue collar unity of the neighborhood.  

There is no question that this has been one of the more controversial pieces of work to be done in the neighborhood but it has, through that controversy, brought about discussion and debate about art in the neighborhood and what is means for the Waterloo Arts District as a whole.  

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:40 PM, 06.29.2013

Welcome to Cleveland

It is no secret to a Native Clevelander, or anyone who spends more than ten minutes in the city that Cleveland has a thriving arts scene. It is also an all too common tale that anyone who tells friends and family from outside of Cleveland of this fact is laughed at. How then do you change people’s perceptions? Easy, you bring them to Cleveland so that they can see for themselves!

Enter the Welcome to Cleveland Weekend. An event co-hosted by Northeast Shores Development Corporation and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC). The event is aimed specifically at out-of-town artists, inviting them to visit Cleveland for a weekend, see the opportunities that are potentially available that might not be in a New York or Chicago and to consider relocating to Cleveland.

Seth Beattie, Director of Strategic Initiatives at CPAC explains, “This is a really exciting and unique event for Cleveland. This opportunity is giving artists from out of town the ability to experience the city from all angles and to understand what being an artist here is really all about.”

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:44 PM, 06.29.2013

July Waterloo Gallery Openings

A variety of new gallery shows will be held this month displaying artists who work in a variety of different media. Here is who and what will be showcased in the coming weeks in the Waterloo Arts District.

Arts Collinwood - Crunchy: Sugary Cartoon Art for Big Kids Comic books have exploded into popular culture. Cleveland is ground zero for a lot of it. From the storied origins of Superman to Harvey Pekar's legend, our city's contributions to this art form cannot be ignored. Arts Collinwood is set to honor those contributions, alongside Cleveland's current vibrant comics scene with "CRUNCHY: Sugary Cartoon Art for Big Kids."

Love comics. Love art. Love Cleveland. The exhibit will open on Friday, July 5, 2013, 6PM-9PM, during Walk All Over Waterloo's First Fridays! Additionally, the event will feature live drawing by The Rust Belt Monster Collective.15605 Waterloo Rd. (216) 692-9500

Miller Schneider Gallery Presents  BOB PECK – ALCHEMY The work in this show is a chronicle of the experimental work done by Bob throughout his career from his earliest days working with graffiti as a kid to his gallery displayed pieces. Peck is a Cleveland native who got his start working with graffiti arts in the west side neighborhood where he grew up. As he matured, he also began doing more “traditional” painting. ALCHEMY will be on display in the Miller Schneider Gallery from June 22nd, through July 13th. 16008 Waterloo Rd.

Waterloo Studios- earth, wind & light: Images and Words by Pat Washington Pat Washington is a local photographer and poet who showcases the beauty of the world around her through her work. This is her first gallery show where she will display both poems and photographs. Inspiration for many of her poems is drawn from the photographs themselves proving that artistic mediums do not necessarily need to be mutually exclusive.  An advocate of the Waterloo Arts District, she is excited to be a part of the growing local arts scene. Her show will be in Waterloo Studios Gallery from June 29th through July 20th. 15316 Waterloo Rd. (216) 383-8002

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:41 PM, 06.29.2013

E. 156th Pocket Park is a place for everyone

The outdoors are a place for all of us to share and enjoy, no matter what our age. That was the thinking that inspired the ArtPlace: Play Space, a new pocket park located on East 156th street next to the Northeast Shores building. Bringing together the elements of art, nature and play, the space is a unique crossroads where neighborhood characteristics collide into one space.

The small park features a walking path, radiant flowers, fruit trees, places to sit and play, and murals and sculptures from local artists. Quite the transformation from a formally vacant lot, “We are so excited about the project,” said Brian Friedman, Executive Director at Northeast Shores. “This is about the re-imagination of spaces, taking underutilized areas in the neighborhood and creating something that the whole community can enjoy.”

The project was funded primarily through a grant from ArtPlace with design and implementation being carried out by LAND Studio, landscape architect Jim McKnight and local artist Mellissa Daubert. The newly opened park will provide an outdoor space where neighborhood residents can intermingle and enjoy the good weather. Melding arts, natural beauty and community togetherness, this space brings together all the elements that are most important to our neighborhood.

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Volume 5, Issue 6, Posted 8:39 PM, 06.29.2013

Artists in Residence Grants Are Here

Welcome to the Artists in Residence grants program, brought to you by Northeast Shores and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture. Through this exciting new program, we're giving artists who live and work in North Shore Collinwood an opportunity to propose creative solutions to some of the issues the community cares about the most.

The grant program is made possible through the generous support of Leveraging Investments in Creativity, The Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, ArtPlace, Educational Foundation of America and Charter One Growing Communities. The members of the panel that made the final grant recommendations were neighborhood residents Andrea Hinton, Charlotte Iafeliece and Brian Licht, assisted by Vince Reddy of LAND Studio, and Nelson Beckford of The Cleveland Foundation.

Here is one of the projects, we will feature more next time: AMY CALLAHAN'S STREET ART PROJECT This project imagines the walls, the alley ways, and all the nooks and crannies of the Waterloo Arts District as a canvas for a variety of skilled artists to create distinctive art work. This project embraces the street art movement which has been minimally represented in Cleveland, but is sweeping like wildfire across other parts of the world and transforming cities into outdoor museums. A half dozen murals will be created simultaneously as well as smaller scale temporary and permanent installations that will happen in alleyways, on sidewalks and other structures throughout the street. The installations and murals will be created/installed the week prior to the Waterloo Arts Fest. A walking map, providing information about the various artists and guiding visitors to the different pieces, will be given out at the festival. After the event the permanent pieces of artwork will remain as a proclamation that Waterloo is a vibrant arts district.

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Volume 5, Issue 5, Posted 11:48 AM, 06.07.2013

Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Auction 2013

April 13th was a rain filled chilly day, but the mood inside of Arts Collinwood’s Community Center was filled with buzzing creative excitement.

Donated halogen spotlights from a friend of an artist bounced off of the hand painted 55 gallon large, brightly colored, shiny surfaces, in anticipation of eager silent auction bidders, who hovered near their prizes of water conservation and artistic vision.

Local chefs filled tables with delectable party fare, and artists and their families and friends were among 70 revelers from the local Collinwood community and as far East as Chagrin Falls, Westward to Oberlin; all celebrating Linda Zolten Wood’s vision for this marriage of art and sustainability.

Linda was originally inspired to create her pilot painted barrel when she received one of Northeast Shore Development Corporations' Rain Barrels from their residential water conservation program. When in use, the translucent white barrel began showing algae through its walls. As a working artist, she decided to mask the unsightly patches with her colorful painting.

The barrels are a tempting canvas: large, uninterrupted space - it was a natural fit for Linda to treat like any other mural surface; the tricky issues were protection from constant water and weather exposure.

She sanded the plastic surface and coated it with exterior primer to help preserve and protect her intricate work. Many layers of a UV clear-coating were hand-painted to extend the life of the surface as well.

She was also inspired by Becca Brittons’ St. Clair Superior Development Corporation ‘Year of the __’ painted Chinese Zodiac statue artist’s competition/auctions.

She applied for and received a  Community Partnership for Arts and Culture Grant and hopes to raise awareness for rainwater collection and lake conservation while supporting local artists. A graduate of Cleveland Institute of Art; Zolten-Wood's current body of work may be seen at Zolten Wood Design on Facebook, and all ten barrel designs and upcoming Painted Barrel Workshop dates will be listed at ‘The Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Project’ also on Facebook. (Additional support for this grant was also provided by: Arts Collinwood, The Educational Foundation of America, Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Linc, and Trader Joe’s.)

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Volume 5, Issue 4, Posted 2:53 PM, 05.08.2013

Upstage Players Announces Partnership with Cleveland Public Library, Move to New Performance Venue

The well-maintained, yet underutilized 600-seat auditorium located at the Cleveland Public Library’s Memorial-Nottingham branch now has a tenant in Collinwood’s-own UpStage Players. The children’s theatre company, who performed at the Waterloo District’s Slovenian Workmen’s Home for the past five years, made the move official by signing a tenant contract in March. Rehearsals for UpStage’s 20th Anniversary season will begin at the library auditorium in early 2014.

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Volume 5, Issue 4, Posted 2:39 PM, 05.08.2013

A Decade of Decibels: The Photography of Joe Kleon Opens at Space: ROCK June 7

Space: ROCK, the new music photography gallery at 15721 Waterloo Road in North Collinwood, is proud to present the first-ever one-man show by Joe Kleon, the area’s premiere music photographer of the past decade. “A Decade of Decibels: The Photography of Joe Kleon” opens with a reception from 6-10 pm Friday June 7.

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Volume 5, Issue 4, Posted 2:40 PM, 05.08.2013

Rock and Roll Gallery "Space: ROCK" Opens on Waterloo

The grand opening of the Cleveland music history and photography gallery, Space: ROCK at 15721 Waterloo Road, took place on Friday, April 5 during April’s Walk All Over Waterloo. Its inaugural exhibit, The Golden Age of Cleveland Rock: 1969-1974, spotlights an era when many northeast Ohio bands were getting signed to record labels and attracting national attention. The show will run through the end of May.

Among the bands featured through posters, photos, album jackets and promotional materials are the James Gang, the Raspberries, Damnation of Adam Blessing, Rastus, Wild Butter, Tiny Alice, Eli Radish, Rainbow Canyon, and Michael Stanley, along with the “Youngstown auxiliary” — Glass Harp, Blue Ash, and Left End.

All of these bands benefited from the record industry shift in emphasis from singles to albums and eclecticism of the psychedelic era, a period when record labels were actively seeking diverse rosters. Just as they were looking for the “next Seattle” in the ’90s, they were looking for the “next San Francisco” in the late ’60s. Cleveland was on their radar, thanks to factors like the area’s hunger for new rock music and the number of former Clevelanders rising in the echelons of the labels.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Beachland Ballroom will be hosting a public oral history taping with Jim Quinn, guitarist for Damnation of Adam Blessing and longtime area band manager. It takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday April 20. Admission is $5, food will be available, and the bar will be open.

Space: ROCK is a project of Cleveland Rocks: Past Present and Future, a new nonprofit formed last year to bring more attention to Cleveland music history and to support the music scene’s growth into the future. Its offices are on the second floor of the Space: ROCK Gallery.


For more information about Space: ROCK, contact Anastasia Pantsios at aastasjoy@aol.com.

Anastasia Pantsios is a Cleveland writer and photographer with an emphasis on music and the arts. She is the director of the Space: ROCK Gallery on Waterloo.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 2:05 PM, 04.18.2013

Neighborhood Night at the Beachland Ballroom

Starting in April, the Beachland Ballroom will host a free monthly neighborhood night. These relaxed tavern shows will feature musicians from the Collinwood neighborhood. The first Neighborhood Night was held on Monday, April 8 with Mike Uva and Moko Bovo. Doors open at 7:30pm. These are all ages shows.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 2:06 PM, 04.18.2013

Wheels On Waterloo Sculpture Nears Completion

Waterloo Studios and Jerry Schmidt Sculpture are nearing completion of "Wheels On Waterloo," a monumental steel sculpture funded by a grant from Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) and Northeast Shores Development Corporation. The sculpture depicts five steel wheels traveling down a spiral roadway  - a locomotive wheel,  industrial gears, a factory fan, a 45RPM record and a bicycle tire - symbolizing the past , present and future of Waterloo Road. The project has involved several students learning welding and metalworking skills. After sandblasting and powder coat finishing, the work will be ready for installation along the new Waterloo Streetscape Project.                                          

Waterloo Studios and Gallery at 15318 Waterloo Road has been open for a year and features emerging artists working in studio spaces and showing their work.  The studio has several openings for creative artists seeking work and exhibition space. Waterloo 7 Studio and gallery across the street at 15315 Waterloo is Jerry Schmidt's metal working studio and gallery.  Jerry is master welder and has been creating steel sculptures for over 40 years. Many of his pieces can be seen along Waterloo Road and in the Gallery. Jerry's work is in many health facilities, corporate offices and private collections.

Louis Ross is the owner of Waterloo Studios and Gallery at 19518 Waterloo Road.

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Volume 5, Issue 3, Posted 2:07 PM, 04.18.2013