Cleveland Art Links

Since no one has stepped forward to take over this blog, I have gone through and updated the links on the sidebar to keep them current; some galleries and other sites have either disappeared, stopped caring, or don't keep updated when it comes to their own website.

I've added some artists, other Cleveland art scene sites, various galleries, and online culture forums. If anything, consider Burning River Arts to be your launch pad.

Cheers,
-Arabella

Any Takers?

Let's face it, I've been getting busy lately, and I am about to become more so. I was asked to do this blog by someone who started the network and has pretty much disappeared. It isn't like I get paid or cool freebies, and with the other writing I do get paid to do on top of my own shit I'm becoming less inclined to keep going with this thing. It isn't like I write long winded reviews, or in-depth interviews, but it has gotten annoying when I have the nagging feeling I should "post something" here. Better for me just to cut it off completely so I have one less thing on my plate. Sorry if that sounds douchey and selfish, but #1 comes first and I'm just trying to be practical. Besides, I always thought my friends found my being selfish, vain, crass, and the overall contempt for humanity to be endearing.

While I do think there isn't sufficient coverage about the arts scene in Cleveland (The Plain Dealer being a joke since there is one art critic -- ahem architecture critic -- who wears a stinkin' beret!), there are some other goods sites like Pink Eye Magazine, www.HelloMyNameIsArt.com and Cleveland Art Project. I think I compiled a pretty good list of links on the blogroll too.

If anyone in the Cleveland are would like to take over this spot, please do email me. The glory can be yours, if anything it'll give you an excuse to get out of the house.

Christmas Art Shoppin'

December 12: Find that perfect Xmas gift for that hard to shop for person. Dana L. Depew and other Cleveland artists have donated countless works of art The opening bid on ALL pieces starts at a mere $30. All proceeds from this event go directly to keeping the gallery open to the public and to help subsidize future events.

works by:
Matthew Dibble, Meredith Hahn, The Sign Guy, Mallorie Freeman, Kortney Niewierski, Bridget Ginley, Robert Banks, RA Washington, George Kocar, Jess Samuelson, Beth Wolfe, Meat, Michael Loderstedt, Paul Sydorenko, Douglas Max Utter, Candy Depew, Tom Bartel, Bill Radawec, Jeff Klaum, Craig Lucas, Bob Peck, Chris Kaspar, Mark Yasenchak, Frank Oblak, Dana L. Depew, and many many more. Silent Bidding begins Friday Dec 12, 5-10pm, and ends Sat Dec 13, 6-11pm. Auction is over at 11pm sharp on Sat.

December 12 - 13: There will be the Little Italy art walk including Gina's Gallery & Boutique which will be open until 10pm.
FRIDAY - Elle-A-Belle trunk show - 7-10pm: Meet and greet with glass jewelry artist Laurie Warshawsky. Many new glass and gemstone jewelry styles.
SATURDAY - Duchess von Dudik release show: All day long. See new winter coats and dresses.

December 13 - 14: Bazaar Bizarre, Cleveland's fabulous original indie craft show takes place Saturday December 13th from noon to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday December 14th from noon to 6:00 p.m. @ 78th Street Studios: 1300 W. 78th St to 1305 W. 80th St., North parking lot, North entrance. New this year: a gift-wrapping station and many other conveniences that'll make BazBiz your one-stop shop for holiday gifts. No more mass produced mall stuff! Buy handmade! You can view the vendor list here.

Shaheen Gallery recap

If you haven't done so, be sure to check out the T.R. Ericsson solo show @ Shaheen Contemporary Art. The patience, technique and overall delicacy of each piece is amazing. These are burned silkscreens and loose graphite powder that are rubbed, stenciled and vacuumed...

the artist w/ Mallorie Freeman, who framed the entire show

Quite a few people came out considering the tsunami outside. His work is in permanent collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Progressive Insurance collection, JP Morgan Chase collection, and the Museum of Modern Art. Fancy eh?

All Things Cleveland recap

Well I said goddam! It was packed! Whatdoyaknow, Clevelanders coming out to make fun of Cleveland. But, as my friend said, if she were in any city government capacity, she would have made a point of coming to this show just to see what residents and creatives really think. In any case, fun was had by all. Luckily I got to the show right as it opened and got some good uncrowded shots. This way....

Get this party started right!

I wasn't brave enough to try the food, were you?

I remember pissing off a bunch of guys when I first moved here because I said in all seriousness, "how come the Browns are the colors of A&W rootbeer?"

Okay, I have a confession to make: I grabbed one of these and a domino effect took place, I totally wasted 1/4 of those glasses.

Great video by Paul Sydorenko...

Bridget Ginley & Laura Lampe enjoying the Cleveland SGS video booth

Carlos Villagra, Anthony Davila, and Chris Ryniak. AG representin'

John G & Laura Lampe

So there you go. Lots more shots I wish I had gotten, but the place was getting a tad crazy to the point where I was smooshed. Thanks to Dana Depew for putting this on and thanks to Cleveland+ for making a stink about the show, sendng the gallery a legal letter, and making people want to see this exhibition that much more as a result.

Are. They. Serious?

Well slap my ass and call me Charlie! Please read in full and contact your council people, or better yet, go out and TP their houses tonight. This is RETARDED.

Because you may remember how much I love the Rock Hall. I hear The Stooges are up for a nomination again this year; funny how I stopped caring and I'm sure they never did in the first place, as Iggy illustrates from last year...

Cleveland's A Slum

The evening of November 14th is shaping up and going to be a blast. Most importantly is the All Things Cleveland show @ Asterisk Gallery. Already preparations for the show are having some funny speed bumps. You may have seen the Cleveland - logo in anticipation for this group show, well, from the gallery owner:

"for now please use the ' Cleveland's a Slum' logo or any of the images that I have attached for the press release if you forward the info. I received a cease and desist letter from The Greater Cleveland partnership/CLE+ lawyer on Monday, stating I must immediatley discontinue using the CLE- mark. I contacted a friend that happens to be a corporate copyright lawyer downtown and he is going to take care of it. There is a parody defense that I am protected under as well as other free speech issues. So please use the plum image for now until I have this resolved by mid-week."

Classic. Especially considering the first line in the press release:

"If you cannot laugh at yourself, you cannot laugh at all. Just think of the overwhelming cabbage smell of grandma’s house, the Big Chuck and Little John show on a black and white television with tinfoil on the antenna, etc. The work exhibited is produced solely by Cleveland artists to emit that bleak perspective of a Clevelander. This exhibition will be a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The object was to produce an exhibition that promotes a self deprecating view of Cleveland by Clevelanders. The work must represent or depict Cleveland in some way, shape, or form. Think more of a less positive Harvey Pekarian viewpoint, burnt perogies, , the continual grief and despair we feel each and every day, the adverse effect our sports teams have on our mental state, our bleak and depressing outlook on life, etc, etc, all the good things.

The opening reception will be complete with a live polka style performance covering all the great Cleveland inspired hits like – Bernie, Bernie, Cleveland Rocks, The Heart of Rock n Roll, etc. Sauerkraut and kielbasa will be available and will be slow cooked overnight to give the gallery that special sensory smell we are all accustomed to being from Cleveland. Opening Reception - Friday, Nov 14th., 6-10pm. Show runs through Dec. 6th"

If that wasn't enough, later in the evening after 10pm, head over to Now That's Class for the Pink Eye Magazine issue 2 release party and cheap-ass art sale. Located at 11213 Detroit Ave. bands playing will be Hot Cha Cha, Mystery of Two, Dimeras + Artist Flea Market! There will be quality art donated by incredible local artists. All work is available for under $20! It is $5 at the door. This is a fundraiser to help cover the magazine print costs, this is DIY baby.

Friday Night Photos

No this isn't Burbank, CA. It's Collinwood baby!

We decided to have a photo circle jerk... okay that came out wrong.

Bloody Candy beh-beh!

Dave and Phoebe, wonder twin powers activate.

Low Life Gallery living room, everyone should have one of these.

Mallorie and Bruce.

Dana Depew creepy collage.

Send in the clowns!

Sharp show @ Artchitecture Gallery.

Nice installations, sorry my camera lighting is of the super-suckness.

Cookies and Wine: affirmative.
Doctor Pee-Pee sighting due to presence of alcohol: affirmative.
Doctor Pee-Pee getting snippy for my friend not giving him a cigarette promptly enough: yes indeed.
Fun night out: Yes sir.