I was thrilled to receive news today that one of my favorite NEO artists, Pamela Dodds, a REALNEO artist of the Day, has been awarded a $25,000 Individual Support Grant from the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation. The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation was established by American artist Adolph Gottlieb (1903-1974) and his wife Esther.  The foundation provides large grants to ‘serious, fully-committed artists,' ‘regardless of their level of commercial success.'  This year the foundation received 482 applications from which twelve artists were selected to receive awards. I'm proud to say Evelyn and I have one of Pamela's inspiring and impressive linoleum cut prints in our collection... "Drift", above... perhaps it is time for more area collectors to seek out her work... website here!

When people wonder what is the value of a local daily newspaper, I must point to the story of Shaw High School Band, which was invited to China to perform but could not afford to do that. The Plain Dealer article "Bang a Drum, Proudly", by Connie Schulz, raised enough attention and funding to get them there, from where they just returned in triumph (nicely covered in the PD here, today)... a $500,000 whirlwind phenomenon all occurring in less than 6 months!

I love art, and much in the Cleveland Museum's collection, and the old and newish CMA, but I am not convinced the current reengineering of the museum is economically positive for the region, and I am very displeased with their new slogan "art is back" as shallow and disrespectful to the real NEO arts community, which has never left. The museum needs to better explore its identity and role here, as so many arts organizations, our population and economy transition, and the CMA takes a proportionately larger share of the arts funding pie. If CMA is spending $100s millions constructing new edifices for old mold and cobwebs, I will be very disappointed. I'm waiting to see Rub put his shine on anything, other than proclaiming art is back in a place it never left. What do you think... did art leave?

A not-to-be missed event.  Miss Information says, "Consistently--the best art in town!"

Mike O'Mara stopped by Mike O'Brien's Bookstore for one final goodbye. *

The Gallery: Studio of 5 Rings will exhibit original abstract oil paintings from Elyria artist, Don Cox.  The show will open Friday August 1, 2008, and it will run through Saturday September 6, 2008.  The show will have an opening reception Friday 8/1/08 from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.  Don cox will be on hand to answer questions at the opening reception. 

This Saturday celebrate the first day of Summer with two great arts and shopping events on the Westside, both within walking distance of each other: Gray's Auctioneers June Emporium Auction and  the Clifton Arts and Music Fest. The Clifton Arts and Music Fest is from 10am - 6pm, located on Clifton Boulevard between W. 112th & W. 117th Streets, walk Clifton Boulevard early, see some great art and then walk or drive up to Detroit Avenue and cool off in Gray's Auctioneer's air conditioned gallery.

From my zoo buddy Kyle Primous, who also worked Cain Park with my sister (artists!), when we were young (oh so long ago):

THIS AIN'T YOUR GRANDMAMMA'S WIZ!!!

The preview is this Thursday, June 19th at 8:00.  Tickets for the preview are only $10.  Tickets for opening weekend (June 20-22) are only $13 for the entire weekend (compared to $22 for the rest of the show)

 

The show runs Thursdays through Sundays at 8:00pm from June 19th through July 6th.  There is a replacement show on July 2nd instead of a show on July 4th, but all that is explained at the web site:

 

www.cainpark.com

 

Visit the web site for more information, and come see us!!!

 

Two people reported to be HEK and MAK were reportedly arrested, May 30th, 2008. Jeff Buster and I have had a great interest in the work known all around NEO as HEK, and we both seem to wonder if there is really anyone to "arrest" as HEK, for HEK, as HEK seems the identity of many... the voice of many... and is today's Art of the Day.

Take your knitting needles and rise up America!!

Opening Reception June 20, 2008

James Levin (seated) with the Brew Crew at Carnegie Hall - photo by Sandy Kish

This year’s Brooklyn Centre Riverside Cemetery Tour returns for another afternoon of history and entertainment. Two popular characters from last year’s tour--Avery Hopwood and William Astrup--will appear for a return engagement. Martin Ruetenik, John M. Ackley, Anna Coffinberry, Claud Foster, and James Curtiss will join the cast of characters.

Come join us for an afternoon filled with the history of our neighborhood and our city.
Find out--

• who was known as “the King of Celery”
• which one was the model for the Moses Cleaveland statue that stands in public square
• what does that dove on Aunt Sophie’s grave really mean
• how one of them through tragedy made our lives safer today
• how an inventor born in Brooklyn Centre gave us our YMCA and Deaconess Hospital
• and where will the vintage car be located?

The Old Brooklyn Historical Society will share an array of vintage photos. They could use your help with identification of people, places, and things. Friends of Big Creek will show the progression of our neighborhood through the years with a map display. The Metroparks Zoo will be on hand selling ZooDoo for all of you gardeners. A local genealogist will answer questions on how to get started with your “pedigree tree”

Continuous walking tours will be conducted throughout the afternoon until 4:15 p.m. Refreshments and musical entertainment will be a part of the experience. The book “Reflections from Brooklyn Centre” will be on sale.

Bo Diddley died yesterday.  We should all appreciate people before they die, but his was a great life and I can say that I appreciated his life lesson.  He came to perform at Miami University, while I was in college there and I worked on the student program board, so I saw a bit of the off-stage persona, as well as the on-stage persona. 

Free Summer Arts Camp July 7th through August 8th

5th and 6th graders only--program includes free lunch and runs 9 a.m - 2 p.m.

Call Cleveland Foundation 216- 615-7597 for more information or see

Dress of Chiefs of the Village of Atonkwa near Elmina, Ghana - Nana Kodwo Eduakwa V and Nana Kra Kwamina II - at a reception at the Ashe Cultural Center in Cleveland

Chiefs meeting in Cleveland

That's right--the time is upon us, again.  Mark your calendars for June 26th!

And, I am not talking cigarettes, here.  I am talking this year's
Cleveland Arts Prize: recognizing men in aprons--Michael Symon and Michael Ruhlman.

East Cleveland does not have a historical society like Westlake or a popular annual home tour like Ohio City, but it should. So for now, I am founding the online East Cleveland Historical Society on Realneo. Please feel free to join. There is no membership fee. Membership only requires that you share your knowledge and research.

On Saturday, May 24th, 2008, the Fine Arts Department will present a recital of classical music written for bassoon and piano. The bassoon is most familiar by its role as the grandfather in Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" and the opening solo in Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring."

The performers include Fine Arts librarian, Michael Dalby and friend, PJ Woolston, who performed together in various orchestras in college. Anne Dalby will accompany them on the piano. The recital will feature works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Lars-Erik Larsson, and Johann Baptist Vanhal. Please join us on the 3rd floor of Main Library on Saturday, May 24th, 2008 at 4pm for "An Afternoon of Bassoon"!

Awhile back, Roldo mentioned that the newspaper still has relevance. Today, this article proves it.
Strongsville senior reels in science fair award Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I was saddened to learn today that the excellent Northeast Ohio painter - a Cleveland Institute of Art graduate and productive artist - Scott Miller passed away, this weekend. I'm sure detals will follow here and in other arts media. My mother taught Scott at CIA and remembers him as a great talent, who lived life his own way. Scott just had a powerful show of recent work at Gray's Auctioneers Gallery, in December 2007, at which I shot these photos of Scott and his work - I'll post more later.

 

Join your neighborhood community ARTS center for costume-making, dance & music that will be presented for thousands at the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Parade the Circle Celebration! Special guest artist, Trinidad Carnaval artist, Michael Guy James, leads the group, and is joined by artists from around the world and around the corner--including the Passport Project Global Dance & Music Collective.

 

Celebrate knowledge with music, poetry and a wealth of reading choices.  

THIS SATURDAY, May 17th--AFTER SHOPPING FOR BODY FOOD AT THE WEST SIDE MARKET--SHOP FOR MIND FOOD!!!

I will soon be planting my garden in East Cleveland. There are many varieties of herbs, vegetables, annuals, perenials, trees and shrubs that I would like to include. My yard is a clean slate. There is no sign of any past plantings with the exception of an evergreen by the front porch that must be at least 50 years old.

Please join Convivium33 Gallery and the Cleveland Institute of Art Ceramics' Department Icons/instructors, Judith Salomon and William Brouillard, as we meet, greet and share stories in an open forum Question& Answer reception.