Vision Gallery & Front Room Gallery

So last night was a fun time, I mostly stuck around Vision Gallery (my god the humidity was killing me! Is there a season called Fall anymore in Ohio?), but I had also heard about a group show called "Fine Line" at Front Room. Upon visiting their site I said, "wtf? how come there was zero promotion for this?" Although it is strange that myself, and 3 other friends, are on their mailing list and weren't alerted about the show by email even.

It doesn't help matters that there was a horrible rumor going around they had shut down, that later made it into a print publication by a certain art critic who obviously hadn't done his research -- and in turn -- probably hurt the gallery, shameful. So I'm here to say that Front Room Gallery is alive and kicking. Observe...

Dustin of Faesthetic fame has some really nice good quality prints, the photos don't do them justice. Go buy one!

Okay now on to Vision Gallery, and since I'm a promotion whore let's get me out of the way...

Okay there, was that so painful?

Before the camera crews and photographers came. Seriously there were flash bulbs going off every second and microphones everywhere. It was a bit much on the eyes.

Lemmy!

all of the Keith Marlowe photos were fabulous.

heh, I know this feeling all too well sometimes. I remember first seeing this at the Spitfire and cracking up, it is good I don't own firearms is all I'm saying.

Amy Casey

More September Shindigs

Saturday, September 6th: The good folks over at The Lit are getting down with "Writers & Their Friends", a literary showcase honoring and celebrating the award-winning, critically-acclaimed, and newly emerging literary artists who live and work in Northeast Ohio. Ten jury-selected works are woven into one unique dramatic (and often comic) script that is performed to a sold-out audience one night only...and you can be a part of it! @ The Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square.
7pm - Pre-performance Reception, Hors d'oeuvres and Cash Bar, Browsing Book Sale
8pm - Live Performance in the Ohio Theatre
10pm - Post-performance Reception, Dessert and Cash Bar, Meet the Featured Writers and Cast, Browsing Book Sale. Call The Lit at 216-694-0000 or visit www.thelit.org Tix are $25

Friday, September 12th: There's a big ole group show reception @ Vision Art Gallery, with Amy Casey, Keith Marlowe, and guess what, I'm in it! I mean, that's reason enough for you to come isn't it? And holy crap -- looky what Pink Eye wrote about www.pinkeyemag.com. Guess they cut out the part about me being "freaking hilarious", but its true, I am funny. Well actually I use humour to mask my insecurity, body issues, and alcoholism. Ha! Just kidding, I'm not alcoholic -- I'm festive. I seriously never understood painters like Francis Bacon who could get pissed drunk and paint; any paintings I ever did drunk just looked like exactly what it was, a girl who drank too much Johnny Walker Black and scribbled lines in-between falling over furniture and drunk dialing people.

Friday, September 19th: "Shiner Number Two" is the second comic anthology release from John G., Kevin Fagan, and George McDougall, also featuring Paul Sydorenko, Andy MacDonald, M.L. Wagner, Paul Rogers, Para Celsus, as well as cover art by Ryan Jaenke. This self-published, 30-plus page zine showcases eclectic works by the close-knit group of writers and illustrators. Highlights include McDougall's autobiographical stories of war, John G.'s fictional "Clevelyn" and more. This premier event will also include on-spot illustrations by the creators and original artworks used for publication. Opening reception 7-10 pm @ Artchitecture Gallery.

Yep.

Art Scene Haps

Undeterred by break-ins and vandals, another gallery is setting up shop in Collinwood called Low Life Gallery. They'll be focusing on the low brow and pop surrealist end of things, and are having a few group shows coming up for Halloween and Christmas. As their cultural manifesto says,

"There is a war that is being waged on culture. Big box retail. Warehouse club lifestyle. Does anyone really need 15 pounds of chicken? More isn't always better. Turn off the television. Go see live local music. Read a book. Support the little guy. Don't always super size. VOTE! Do instead of watch. Get out, walk in the woods and reconnect with nature. When is the last time you went to a museum? The mall? Which one do you value more? Why? Avoid chain restaurants. Travel more. Avoid ruts whenever possible. Try talking to total strangers about the things which really matter to them. Exercise daily. Sleep in late sometimes. Read poetry. Really listen. Celebrate diversity. Enjoy art. Live life!"

You can visit them at www.myspace.com/lowlifecleveland, hoping they'll have a site up and running soon as well. I don't see an address listed yet either, but it is around the whole Beachland area at 152nd, you know.

Stuff and Things Happening...

August 8th: Triumvirate a group show opening Friday @ Asterisk Gallery w/ Dana L. Depew, Rick Ferris, and William Schwartz.

August 8th: Blasphemy! A sacrilege art show curated by Miss Allisun. Friday @ Doubting Thomas Gallery in Tremont as well during the art walk.

August 14, 15, 16th: SPACES Summer Cleanup Garage Sale!
Office furniture, office supplies, clothing, art, randoms, tools, and more. The gallery will be full of good things for you to take home. Come on you vultures, you know you want it! Thur 8am–5:30pm Fri 8am–7pm Sat 8am–5:30pm

In other news, I've been made the new art editor at Kotori Magazine, which is merging with GetUnderground.com. So posting on here may get a little slow, between that and other arty farty opportunities I may be taking advantage of in the near future.

But fear not, you know that anytime something irks me -- or I drink too much coffee -- I'll still have something to say.

Summer Festival la-dee-da

Sorry I don't have any photos from Ingenuity Fest, personal crap and all, but the general verdict from most participants I had talked to was "it was okay". The technology driven exhibits were better than past years for sure. The only annoyances seemed to be that the stilt walkers won't go away and keep being included every year, the faux robots dancing around that made everyone want to throw rocks, the rude spectators, and the fact the beer cart was the main attraction. Hey, better than past years! Because as one person pointed out after some organizational issues on Friday, "Cleveland can fuck up a 1 car funeral". Personally I'm way more excited about this than any festival!

And so, we have another festival this weekend, but don't worry, no people in robot costumes. A wet t-shirt contest, monkey boxing match, and a tent full of 'freaks' who eat nails and screws would make it the best festival ever.

Friday: Studio of 5 Rings presents abstract expressionist work by Don Cox from 5-9pm. Better keep an eye out for Doctor Pee-Pee though, it is a wine tasting gallery after all.

Saturday: Waterloo Arts Festival. There will be lots of kids activities, music performances at The Beachland (with a rock stage and a folk stage), artist vendors, shopping at Shoparooni and Music Saves along with "Rock n Roll Flea Market" presented by the Beachland. I must warn you, there will be stilt walkers.