Education
Nearly 1.5 million people have visited the Greater Cleveland Aquarium since it opened six years ago in the Powerhouse on the West Bank of the Flats—learning about the ocean and freshwater creatures, amphibians, and reptiles in Ohio and around the globe. Building on that momentum, the Aquarium will undergo a $250,000 renovation to improve the experience and bring in a dozen new species.
Plenty of tours exist that showcase all Cleveland has to offer—but none quite like this one. From a boutique for curvy women to an upscale restaurant to a carpet cleaner to a vineyard, eight local businesses formed the itinerary for the Cash Mob/Passport Bus Tour held on Tuesday, April 24. The common thread? All of the businesses are owned by, staffed by, and support returning citizens (those making the transition from incarceration back to society).
Today marks the start of the Cleveland Institute of Art’s 72nd Student Independent Exhibition (SIE). Through March 18, this annual exhibition will be presenting over 100 works of art—from paintings to drawing to ceramics to video—at the Reinberger Gallery. Gallery director Nikki Woods says the exhibition is designed to "remind us of the importance of playful experimentation and the need to take chances, and to question the status quo."
The jurors for this student-organized exhibition include Chicago artist Claire Ashley, Cincinnati artist and "Shark Girl" creator Casey Riordan Millard, and Athens-based printmaker Art Werger.
The exhibition kicks off tonight with an opening night reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Reinberger Gallery (11610 Euclid Ave.).
Fresh Water's monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up the freshest free events in Cleveland.
The great outdoors + beer + community = one compelling equation. That’s the basis for Mappy Hour, a new network of adventure and travel enthusiasts who are passionate about the outdoors, maps, guidebooks, and physical activity.
Since 2015, the Beauty and Barber Empowerment Center has been a resource center in Shaker Square for beauty industry professionals. Now they're the recipients of a $6,000 grant from the United Black Fund of Great Cleveland to support people in transition, including formerly incarcerated individuals and displaced barbers and cosmetologists, in their career paths.
With 2018 in sight, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is again poised to make a significant impact on local non-profit arts organizations with $12 million in grant funding. While many associate Cuyahoga County's arts and cultural scene with the well-known institutions that receive general operating support, the smaller organizations that receive project support are often unsung heroes making a difference in their communities.
In early October, Cleveland became the first northern port city to sign a memo of understanding with Cuba’s maritime administration—effectively paving the way for future trade possibilities. The agreement makes a fitting cap for what has been a year of rich synergy between Cleveland and Cuba across the spectrum, from art to entrepreneurship to architecture to dance.
Interested in learning more about Cleveland's rich history? Point your GPS toward Cleveland Starts Here, the new permanent exhibit opening tomorrow at Cleveland History Center.
According to director Angie Lowrie, Cleveland Starts Here will cover the time period from the city's origins in the 1790s all the way through the Cavs taking home the gold in 2016.
"We used to have a core exhibit that talked about the early history of the Western Reserve, but the history [coverage] ended at the Civil War," says Lowrie. "There was no one place that you could get the full story of what Cleveland is all about. Cleveland Starts Here is an opportunity to show a lot more of our stuff and do it in a way that shows people the story of Cleveland."
According to director Angie Lowrie, Cleveland Starts Here will cover the time period from the city's origins in the 1790s all the way through the Cavs taking home the gold in 2016.
"We used to have a core exhibit that talked about the early history of the Western Reserve, but the history [coverage] ended at the Civil War," says Lowrie. "There was no one place that you could get the full story of what Cleveland is all about. Cleveland Starts Here is an opportunity to show a lot more of our stuff and do it in a way that shows people the story of Cleveland."
Looking for something meaningful to do this holiday season? On Saturday, Nov. 18, MetroHealth is hosting a free panel-making workshop for those who want to contribute to the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Founded in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest piece of ongoing community art in the world—consisting of 48,000 panels (and growing). Friends, family, and significant others of those who have passed from AIDS-related illnesses are welcome to create a panel in honor of their lost loved one.
The workshop goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will provide artistic guidance, professional sewing instruction, and materials. Parking validation and food will be provided. To learn more or to register, click here.
Founded in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is the largest piece of ongoing community art in the world—consisting of 48,000 panels (and growing). Friends, family, and significant others of those who have passed from AIDS-related illnesses are welcome to create a panel in honor of their lost loved one.
The workshop goes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will provide artistic guidance, professional sewing instruction, and materials. Parking validation and food will be provided. To learn more or to register, click here.
In just under three years, Literary Cleveland has launched the annual Cleveland Inkubator conference (which attracted 500 people in 2017), gained nonprofit status, and hosted a wide array of workshops, programs, networking events, and author readings—all geared at empowering Northeast Ohio writers. This year, the organization also introduced a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel. That momentum continues with the launch of Lit Cleveland's literary journal, Gordon Square Review.
When the community talks, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) listens. As CAC enters its second decade of funding arts and cultural programming in Northeast Ohio, one of its top priorities will be working to achieve equity and diversity in programming—a focus identified as the result of a community listening project and in-depth assessments.
Fresh Water's monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up the freshest free events in Cleveland.
Cleveland's Lee Harvard neighborhood has a rich heritage, and the Cleveland Restoration Society's "Shining a Spotlight on Lee Harvard: Telling Our Story" event will give it a resounding voice. Set for this Sunday, October 29, the event will feature residents and former residents sharing their experiences and stories about living and growing up in the Ward 1 area—specifically the historic Arthur Bussey neighborhood off Lee Road (where a number of houses are still inhabited by their original owners).
This live storytelling event coincides with CRS' effort to nominate the Arthur Bussey neighborhood for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents will be led in telling their stories by Dr. Todd M. Michney, Ph.D., whose book Surrogate Suburbs: Black Upward Mobility and Neighborhood Change in Cleveland 1900-1980 explores the ways that African Americans built strong neighborhoods in the face of discrimination. Stories shared will be archived as part of the Cleveland Memory Project and the Cleveland Public Library Digital Collection.
The event takes place this Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m. at Lee Road Baptist Church. Register for this unique gathering here, or call Stephanie Allen at 216-426-3106 for more information.
This live storytelling event coincides with CRS' effort to nominate the Arthur Bussey neighborhood for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents will be led in telling their stories by Dr. Todd M. Michney, Ph.D., whose book Surrogate Suburbs: Black Upward Mobility and Neighborhood Change in Cleveland 1900-1980 explores the ways that African Americans built strong neighborhoods in the face of discrimination. Stories shared will be archived as part of the Cleveland Memory Project and the Cleveland Public Library Digital Collection.
The event takes place this Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m. at Lee Road Baptist Church. Register for this unique gathering here, or call Stephanie Allen at 216-426-3106 for more information.
During Cleveland Book Week, 12 Literary Arts Incubator and LAND Studio enlisted local poets, authors, and spoken word artists to read passages from Anisfield-Wolf award-winning books at RTA stations and platforms around town. This video by New Departure Films captures their poetry in motion.
On the heels of its successful Creative Minds summer camp, NewBridge Cleveland has kicked off another new initiative: CLE Lead. An art-inspired leadership training program, CLE Lead will help more than 100 middle school and high school students develop skills in ceramics, graphic design, and photography—as well as boost social and emotional intelligence—over a yearlong period.
As it turns 100 years old, the Cleveland Orchestra takes Cleveland School of the Arts students on a hero's journey via its Prometheus Project—through which mythology and music intersect.
Oversized chess and checkers boards, a concrete ping-pong table, and a figure-eight walking track are just a few features of Cleveland's newest playland for kids—and kids at heart. As of this Thursday, Oct. 19, a group of people spanning multiple generations will have a new place to play, learn, and socialize when Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) dedicates its Intergenerational Playscape and Garden on the front yard of St. Luke’s Pointe in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood.
The playscape is one of the final steps in the transformation of the historic St. Luke’s hospital building campus, which has truly become an intergenerational learning center. Read about the dedication ceremony here.
Our latest events listing includes a legit tribute to the Fab Four, an all-night horror movie marathon, a vibrant Day of the Dead celebration in Gordon Square, and more. See what's on tap for the rest of October here.
Founded by David "Dee Jay Doc" Harrill, Refresh Collective offers a plethora of programs designed to energize and empower local youth. The common thread? Hip-hop. Check out this video about Fresh Force, its workforce development program through which students learn design, screen printing, sales, and entrepreneurship via the Fresh Gear T-shirt line. (And don't miss our recent story about Freshtoberfest, where hip-hop meets horticulture.)