Arts + Culture

I Live Here (Now): Dr. Caitlin Colleary digs her new role at Cleveland Museum of Natural History
No bones about it: it’s been a long and winding road that led Dr. Caitlin Colleary to The Land. A Los Angeles native, the 36-year-old paleontologist arrived in Cleveland last year after a decade spent in South Dakota, England, Panama, and Washington, D.C.
Leading from Behind: Seven students honor seven leaders through art projects
The Van Aken District is celebrating Black History Month with a unique student exhibit featuring some prominent, yet seldom recognized, Black women in history.
Brite Winter continues with live and streaming programming
Brite Winter kicks it into high gear tonight and this weekend with live performances at Platform Beer's Phunkenship and The Lot, and virutal streaming of "TwiBrite Zone: Episode 2."
The Tree: Nature and the arts meet with new sculpture at Nature Center’s All People’s Trail
Artist Erik Neff's sculpture at the gateway to the All People's Trail in the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is an example of fine art meeting nature—exemplifying the beauty in both forms. 
Voices from the Edge: Literary Cleveland to host writing program for essential workers
Since last March, essential workers in Greater Cleveland have been putting their own health at risk to make sure the rest of us are taken care of. Now, Literary Cleveland is launching a writing workshop for those workers to express themselves. 
On the rise: Mapleside Farms owner Greg Clement launches outRise app for adventures near and far
Greg Clement's outRise app invites users to find, create, and share life's experiences—whether they're in one's own backyard or on the other side of the world. 
Close Encounters: Heights Arts, Cleveland Orchestra, Bop Stop team up for virtual concert series
Heights Arts is about to launch it's 15th Close Encounters concert series—this year in a virtual format, partnering with Bop Stop. 
Local collector's vintage and antique items to go on the virtual auction block
Gray's Auctioneers will host a virtual auction this week to showcase the impressive collection acquired by Wyse Advertising over 50 years. 
Need some creative catharsis? FreshWater editor to launch sixth cohort of Artist's Way class
FreshWater contributing editor Jen Jones Donatelli is kicking off another installment of her Creative Groove course.
Brite Winter enters the ‘TwiBrite Zone’ this weekend as a nod to the unusual past year
Brite Winter is stepping into the TwiBrite Zone this weekend, kicking off a four-part virtual music series that acknowledges the long, strange year that was 2020.
Karamu House to present virtual variety program in celebration of MLK
To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, Karamu House will stream a variety show of vocal and original African dance performances that pay tribute to the work of King and recognize the current struggles that Black America continues to face.
Making (air)waves: There's a radio play resurgence happening in Shaker Heights
In tandem with Story Forum and The Shakerite, Radio on the Lake Theatre is helping fill the live theatre gap with a new series of radio plays written and performed by local high school students.
Driving improvement: State funds allow Crawford Museum to continue expansion
Thanks to $750,000 in state capital funds, the Western Reserve Historical Society is moving ahead with plans to update and broaden the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum's space.
Painting the town: Waterloo Arts launches Green Palette community art project
Waterloo Arts has come up with an artistic way to drench Waterloo Road in color and greenery while also bringing the neighborhood together. 
Freedom: Buck Out dancers let loose in powerful show of protest, hope
Angry and frustrated by the racially-motived murders this past summer, and stifled by the inability to practice their dance returns because of COVID-19, the members of Buck Out Cleveland's Diamond Dance Company showed their emotions through a powerful dance video.
Songs of the season: Enjoy holiday cheer virtually with Cleveland Playhouse’s ‘First Noel’ special
CWRU/Cleveland Play House MFA alum Lelund Durond Thompson and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb will present a virtual behind-the-scene look and performances of their musical "The First Noel," this weekend through New Year's day. 
Oh, Christmas tree! Waterloo Arts branches out with "Art of the Ornament" auction

Every time someone buys an ornament to benefit Waterloo Arts, an angel gets its wings. Just ask executive director Amy Callahan, who is spearheading the organization's second annual “Art of the Ornament" auction featuring handmade ornaments by local artists.

Never too young to make a difference: Ortiz’ newest book tells of youth making positive change
Local author Raquel Ortiz just released her newest book about the East Harlem 1969 Garbage Offensive by the Young Lords, telling the story of how you're never too young to make a difference.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture announces 2021 grants, celebrates 16 first-time recipients
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture announced last month that it will distribute more than $12 million in grants to 295 nonprofit organizations. Sixteen organizations are first-time recipients. FreshWater looks at four of the newcomers.  
Sweet victory: CLE-based bakers win $10,000 on Netflix baking competition “Sugar Rush Christmas"
Katie Gayner and Anthony Radencic experienced the sweet taste of victory during Netflix’s recent airing of “Sugar Rush Christmas."