Arts + Culture
As CAC enters its second decade, the organization is taking an in-depth look at how it invests nearly $15 million annually to make Cuyahoga County a more vibrant place to work, live, and play.
Ever dream of helming a museum? You're not alone. This New York Times article puts the spotlight on collectors who've been there and done that, including Cleveland's very own Fred and Laura Bidwell. In the story, Bidwell details the process behind mounting Transformer Station and the deal they struck with the Cleveland Museum of Art to keep their legacy alive long after their tenure:
After Fred Bidwell sold his advertising firm to WPP in 2010, he began to think seriously about opening a contemporary art museum for the collection that he and his wife, Laura, had amassed. As a result, the Bidwells bought a 1920s power plant on Cleveland’s West Side, renovating and expanding the property to create Transformer Station.
Mr. Bidwell, 65, said the initial cost in 2013 was $2.5 million to $3 million — not including what the couple paid for the artwork — and that annual expenses were about $250,000. He said he knew that running the building and managing the museum and its exhibitions would be challenging, so he struck a deal with the Cleveland Museum of Art, where he is a trustee. The Bidwells makes their exhibition space available to the museum for half of the year.
“We were a little naïve about how much work this would be,” Mr. Bidwell said. “When we lend our galleries to the Cleveland Museum of Art, we challenge them to do exhibitions that are more daring than they normally would.”
Read the full text here.
After Fred Bidwell sold his advertising firm to WPP in 2010, he began to think seriously about opening a contemporary art museum for the collection that he and his wife, Laura, had amassed. As a result, the Bidwells bought a 1920s power plant on Cleveland’s West Side, renovating and expanding the property to create Transformer Station.
Mr. Bidwell, 65, said the initial cost in 2013 was $2.5 million to $3 million — not including what the couple paid for the artwork — and that annual expenses were about $250,000. He said he knew that running the building and managing the museum and its exhibitions would be challenging, so he struck a deal with the Cleveland Museum of Art, where he is a trustee. The Bidwells makes their exhibition space available to the museum for half of the year.
“We were a little naïve about how much work this would be,” Mr. Bidwell said. “When we lend our galleries to the Cleveland Museum of Art, we challenge them to do exhibitions that are more daring than they normally would.”
Read the full text here.
This Saturday, October 7th, Rockefeller Park & Greenhouse will transform into a fashion-forward runway as local designer Valerie Mayen debuts 30 looks from her new "Of a Kind" collection for Hullabaloo 2017. This year marks the sixth outing for the now-annual event, which Mayen calls a "giant fashion extravaganza."
Find out more about fashion maven Mayen and what's in store at Hullabaloo 2017 here.
Find out more about fashion maven Mayen and what's in store at Hullabaloo 2017 here.
While some people may see a morbid link to it, the fact that the Komorowski building at 2258 Professor Ave. in Tremont used to be a funeral home has never creeped out the building’s new owner Dave Ferrante.
“From the moment I bought it, I never experienced any negative feelings,” he says. “It has a peaceful feel to it. And the positive part is I got 26 parking spots.”
Ferrante bought the building last year to re-open Visible Voice Books, which had closed three years ago. Read about Visible Voice's re-opening in a new location with Crust Pizza here.
The Buckland Gallery of Witchcraft and Magick opened inside Tremont's A Separate Reality record store earlier this year, but it's remained one of the city's hidden gems—until recently.
"At first, we just had small vinyl lettering on the door; we were very quiet when we first opened," says co-director Jillian Slane. "A few weeks later, my husband painted the words 'Witch Museum' on the window. Now we've put a stand-up sign out on the street."
Word seems to be spreading, as patrons have traveled from as far as New York, Pennsylvania, and Missouri to view the storied collection—which has gone through numerous incarnations (and, likely, incantations) over the years. Learn more about the unique gallery here.
"At first, we just had small vinyl lettering on the door; we were very quiet when we first opened," says co-director Jillian Slane. "A few weeks later, my husband painted the words 'Witch Museum' on the window. Now we've put a stand-up sign out on the street."
Word seems to be spreading, as patrons have traveled from as far as New York, Pennsylvania, and Missouri to view the storied collection—which has gone through numerous incarnations (and, likely, incantations) over the years. Learn more about the unique gallery here.
From climate change to Charlottesville to immigration, no topic is off limits at the new Art of Dissent exhibit in Shaker Heights. Housed in the Shaker Community Gallery (inside the small rectory of Christ Episcopal Church) and curated by Leslye Arian, Art of Dissent features the work of four local artists concerned about the environment, human rights, and inequality.
Fresh Water scoured the city in search of public art. It didn't take us long to find five new public art installments that add a little character and color to the skyline. Check them out here.
As a third-generation Clevelander and a Plain Dealer arts and entertainment reporter, Laura DeMarco has heard her fair share of Cleveland stories that begin with “Remember when Cleveland used to be…”
In fact, most lifelong Clevelanders wax sentimental whenever places like Euclid Beach Park, Higbee’s, or Municipal Stadium come up in conversation. So much so, that DeMarco decided to write a book about these gone, and sometimes forgotten, places. Lost Cleveland will be celebrated at a book launch at Prosperity Social Club on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Read about the found places in DeMarco's book here.
Paging all local book lovers—it's time for #CBW2017. A lively array of literary happenings forms the itinerary for the annual Cleveland Book Week, sponsored by the Cleveland Foundation and Partners.
Among the highlights: author talks by Peter Ho Davies (The Fortunes), Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits), and Margot Lee Shetterly (Hidden Figures); an art book and zine fair at MOCA; a poetry, art, and music event at Karamu House; and the 82nd annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards at the State Theatre. This Saturday, the Cleveland Flea will also host a "#CBW2017 Edition" featuring a pop-up bookshop with rare books and first editions, plus a literary cafe where visitors can mingle with local authors.
In addition, those who use public transportation will be treated to some bookish fun on their commute this week. During the morning and evening rush periods, local artists performing poetry and spoken word pieces at RTA stations around town. (Locations include Airport, Cedar, E. 55th St., Little Italy, Shaker Square, Tower City, W. 25th St., W. 98th St. and Windermere.)
To learn more about the awesome literary lineup, click here.
Among the highlights: author talks by Peter Ho Davies (The Fortunes), Isabel Allende (The House of the Spirits), and Margot Lee Shetterly (Hidden Figures); an art book and zine fair at MOCA; a poetry, art, and music event at Karamu House; and the 82nd annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards at the State Theatre. This Saturday, the Cleveland Flea will also host a "#CBW2017 Edition" featuring a pop-up bookshop with rare books and first editions, plus a literary cafe where visitors can mingle with local authors.
In addition, those who use public transportation will be treated to some bookish fun on their commute this week. During the morning and evening rush periods, local artists performing poetry and spoken word pieces at RTA stations around town. (Locations include Airport, Cedar, E. 55th St., Little Italy, Shaker Square, Tower City, W. 25th St., W. 98th St. and Windermere.)
To learn more about the awesome literary lineup, click here.
Artists’ shows, open mic nights, jam sessions, and sketch nights: for the past six years, Negative Space has established itself as a non-profit creative oasis for artists, musicians, and community supporters at E. 39th Street and Superior Avenue in AsiaTown.
On Saturday, the studios and gallery will double down by moving into a warehouse space twice the size of its original home—and it just happens to be right next door at 3820 Superior Ave. At 4,000 square feet, the space is capable of housing even more art and entertainment.
Read more about the new Negative Space here.
On Saturday, the studios and gallery will double down by moving into a warehouse space twice the size of its original home—and it just happens to be right next door at 3820 Superior Ave. At 4,000 square feet, the space is capable of housing even more art and entertainment.
Read more about the new Negative Space here.
Record-breaking amounts of visitors have made their way to Cleveland in recent years, and Travelocity has taken notice—ticking off 13 reasons why it's "obsessed" with Cleveland. (Just 13? We've got at least seven more to add.) Usual suspects like Public Square, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame lead the list, along with tasty trips to the West Side Market and that oozing-with-charm popcorn shop in Chagrin Falls. See which other attractions made the list here.
The Cleveland Orchestra is one of the world's premier orchestras, a purveyor of symphonic delights that's first on the lips of many a Clevelander when asked what they love most about the city. Fresh Water is here to provide five quick hits about everyone's favorite classical ensemble.
Get your facts straight here.
Get your facts straight here.
The 35+ short films produced during Cleveland's installment of the 48-Hour Film Project are in the can. Get a sneak preview of what happened during the "Lights, Camera, Action"-packed weekend.
As Midtown’s papermaking studio turns 10 years old, the Morgan Conservatory perseveres in its ancient art practice.
Planning your next vacation? You may not have to travel beyond the city limits. Reward Expert has ranked Cleveland 7th on its list of “2017’s Best Cities for Staycations.” The reward travel website compared 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. based on 29 key metrics broken down into three categories: Recreation, Food & Entertainment, and Rest & Relaxation. Cleveland’s sports success and must-sees like PlayhouseSquare and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are cited, as well as Cleveland's “many public pools and its beaches alongside Lake Erie.” (And here's a fun fact: Cleveland has the most public pools per capita. Stay cool, Cleveland!)
Read the full write-up and see which other cities made the list here.
Read the full write-up and see which other cities made the list here.
Welcome to "Over The River," a monthly calendar of exciting activities taking place throughout the area. ?Our July listing includes lakeside tunes, a wedding design extravaganza and a cancer-fighting festival.
Read all about it here.
Read all about it here.
Summer is the season for vacations, relaxation and general fun in the sun, or so the brochure tells us. The hot months don't have to be spent just lazing about, however, because Cleveland is positively smoking with educational summertime programs, and Fresh Water is burning things up with this enticing workshop roundup, with everything from creating mysterious accordion books and building video games to snapping out flash fiction.
Get the whole list here.
Get the whole list here.