Speaking Art (9/18)

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

Come Join the AIGA Cleveland and Pop Up City as the present an evening with Arthouse Denver's, Marty Gregg.

As an influential member of the Denver design community since 1983, ArtHouse brings its imaginative, practical brand of design to all their clients. The ArtHouse portfolio is best experienced as a trip through Denver and the West, from a world-renowned art museum, to your favorite coffee shop, to an aerospace visitors center. The higher goal, however, is to make cities a better place to eat, shop, work, and live. ArtHouse has worked with the Denver Art Museum, The Denver Parks and Recreation, and Vail Cascade Resort and Spa.

One of the presenting sponsors-Pop Up City; supports temporary events and installations that occupy vacant buildings and activate vacant land around the city. They are thrilled to help each of us discover the Near West Lofts located at 6710 Detroit Ave. Cleveland OH 44102.

This should be an inspiring collection of stories, experiences and ideas. Designers, artists or those of us interested in how we can shake up Cleveland's art presence, please attend. I can't wait to hear Mr. Gregg speak. See you there.

6-9pm. For more information visit www.aigacleveland.org

Check it out!

Thanks and congratulations to Danielle Deboe; sassy proprietor of the dazzling store “Room Service” (www.roomservicecleveland.com) located in the Gordon Square Arts District. Danielle wrote an amazing City Guide to Cleveland that was published yesterday on the infamous Design Sponge Blog. Danielle, thanks for including iheartcleveland in your mix of all thing fun, fresh and fabulous in Cleveland! Your summary of every nook and cranny in the city is an amazing resource that everyone should have stuffed in their glove box or backpack for an afternoon adventure. Congratulations and thanks again!

To read the article visit www.designspongeonline.com/2008/07/cleveland-design-guide.html#more-10871

Magical, a perfect description. (7/25-27)

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 25th through the 27th, 2008

The Ingenuity Festival returns with a weekend-long celebration of art and technology, designed for audiences of any age and experience, staged in the center of Downtown Cleveland. Prominent international masters present original works alongside the finest of Northeast Ohio's performing and visual artists. High technology firms and major colleges and universities are presented alongside acclaimed artists to create a dazzling display of exciting and immersive new work! Ingenuity pushes boundaries, creating a unique festival experience that draws and celebrates diversity, and involves the audience as both spectator and participant!



There are so many interesting looking shows, exhibits and installations, but one that I deffinatley want to catch will be a late night performance by the Hot Cha Cha's Friday night at the Plain Dealer Star Plaza Stage.

Oh and if you haven't been to the Opening Ceremony (Friday, July 25 4-5:30 pm) before, it is worth it to skip out of work early for the big show...let's just say...it's Magical. :)

For the schedule and more information visit www.ingenuitycleveland.com

Tour Ohio City (5/18)

Sunday May 18th, 2008

Spend the day exploring the historic area know to us as Ohio City. This years lucky "tourgoers" will find an amazing array of over eight diverse housing options-including new and renovated apartments/townhouses, stunning new single-family homes, and meticulously restored historic homes.

The Home Tour starts at the ticket booth, which is located at Market Square Park at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, just across the street from the West Side Market. 10:00am-4:00pm. Guests can take advantage of ample free parking in the lot behind the Market off Lorain Avenue and ride Lolly the Trolley from stop to stop. Tickets are $18 day of the event.



For more information visit www.ohiocity.com/hometour/hometour0.html

Sushi in the Garden (5/14)

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

“Zensai” means “entry garden.” In this spirit of welcoming, we invite you to bask in the sophistication and pristine beauty of Japanese horticulture when Cleveland Botanical Garden presents Zensai: The Horticulture of Japan through June 29.

In no way is Japan's rich heritage more evident than its horticulture, and no time is better than spring to admire the Japanese horticultural tradition in all its splendor. Among the beautiful and serene expressions of Japanese horticulture on display will be the Garden’s own permanent Japanese Garden, a Cleveland treasure since 1975 (as old as I am!).

This week, visit the gardens as the Marchetti Company will offer tastings of sake and plum wine from Japan and California along with an assortment of Sushi to choose from.



Cleveland Botanical Garden in University Circle : 11030 East Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44106 For more information about this event call 216.721.1600 or visit www.cbgarden.org

Product Runway (4/25)

Friday, April 22nd, 2008

The International Interior Design Sociey & The Cleveland/Akron City Center will be hosting "Product Runway" a runway fashion show of one-of-a-kind couture originals utilizing manufacturer’s product as the “fabric” for the garment this Friday night.

Product Runway is a wonderful opportunity for interior design, architecture, product design and industrial design related industries to celebrate creativity in an innovative design spirit. Using extra scraps, samples, over-runs, etc., fashions will be assembled, sewn, glued and styled by the local design community...think of it as a fashion show for earth week. Recycle and go!

This fundraiser will benefit the American Cancer Society's "Look Good...Feel Better" program, a community-based, free, national service that teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments

The event will be on Friday April 25, 2008 at Anatomy Night Club in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio at 6:00pm.
For more information visit www.iidaohky.org/clevak.htm

Pop, Leap. Play. (2/29)

Friday, February 29th, 2008

A pop up experience with food, fun and spectacle in the Flats East Bank at the first annual Leap Night @ Pop Up City. Here a vacant lot will become a winter wonderland for all. Leap Night will feature a snow and ice installation, a winter forest complete with costume bears, music, bonfires, performances by SAFMOD, Cleveland’s multi-media performance ensemble, an ice skating rink, a snowboard ramp and rail jam competition, an outdoor Rock Band video game competition, a snowsuit fashion show, and food and drink vendors. The site offers ample free parking and convenient access via the RTA Waterfront Line, East Bank Station.

Leap Night is part of Pop Up City, a temporary use initiative that is supported by the Cleveland Foundation’s Civic Innovation Lab and operated through Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative.



6-11 p.m. The free event is open to the public. 1100 Old River Road (between Main Ave. & Front St.). For snowboard release forms, schedules and information on the hot after party visit www.cudc.kent.edu/popup/leap.html

Beans @ MOCA (2/28)

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

MOCA Mix: listen: Beans w/special guests Poetic Republic & DJ ONIT

From anti-pop to Prefuse 73; from fashion spreads in glossies around the world to subway sessions of freestyle excellence; Beans has proven himself to be an icon no matter what he chooses to do.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet BEANS, aka Mr. Ballbeam. Hip-hop rebel. Wordsmith extraordinaire. Sonic architect. Fashion renegade. Published poet. Culture star. Raised in White Plains, NY and first picked up on in the mid-90's as part of the mythic Soup/Boom Poetic collective, the word began to spread. BEANS harkens back to the glory days when all it seemed to take was real talent, real passion and the desire to actually be real and simply shine.

Having shared stages and toured with everyone from Radiohead to Vernon Reid, Prefuse 73, Ratatat, Dabrye, Bill Laswell, The Rapture to Tortoise, The Locust, Battles to DJ Krush, Kool Keith, Pharoahe Monch to Aesop Rock, DJ Shadow to Cannibal Ox, Attica Blues to Terranova, plus Coachella and DJ gigs at The Guggenheim and with Missy Elliott. BEANS has displayed his skills and the response has been astounding.



8:00 pm FREE for Moca Members, $6 for non-members
This event generously supported by: Scene Magazine, Pabst Brewing Company (PBR!) & Skyy Vodka. For more information visit www.mocacleveland.org or www.adoredandexploited.com

A Creative Opening (1/26)

Saturday, Januanary 26th, 2008

The Studios at 78th Street will be open this Saturday from 1 - 6PM for tours. For those who have not been there, this building is the former American Greetings Creative Studios and a place that many area artists call home. Located a block North of Lake Ave., between West 78th and West 80th St. this building is Cleveland's largest creative arts Incubator, anchoring the Western end of the Detroit-Shoreway Arts District.

Some of the buildings tenants include: Alternative Press Magazine, (www.alternativepress.com) Tregoning & Company, (www.tregoningandco.com)  Rachel Davis Fine Arts (www.racheldavisfinearts.com) and Derek Hess (www.derekhess.com) .

Don't miss this opportunity to talk with the artists about their work!

Detroit Shoreway Shopping, Sipping & Snacking

It is as chic as a small neighborhood in Chicago...

If you haven't driven down Detroit Ave in Cleveland (Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood) as of late you are missing the most up and coming strip of stores known to the city. In partnership with the City of Cleveland's Community Development Office, Detroit Shoreway offers the Storefront Renovation Program for commercial tenants (with building owner's approval.) This partnership is drawing many inspired small business owners.

Though there are many stores popping up, TWO of them truly stand out!



Room Service : 6505 Detroit Ave., is a chic home-decor/gift/furniture store that owner Danielle DeBoe describes as "a harmonious juxtaposition between old and new." Sleek, contemporary furniture is mixed with high-end, hip gift items and a smattering of antiques.



Duo Home : 6507 Detroit Ave., is a combo interior design business and shop featuring eclectic, contemporary yet organic home decor and furniture items.

Also, while you are in the neighborhood make sure to stop into Gypsy Beans & Baking Co. (6425 Detroit Avenue) for a hot cup-of-joe and some of their amazing homemade bakery. Indulge in some of their most savored bakery items such as the Amazon Chili Pepper Brownies, the Chocolate Truffle Tartlet in a Salted Shortbread Crust and the White Chocolate Iced Layer cake with a Honey Lavender Syrup. www.gypsybeans.com

A Day of Art in Cleveland

Last weekend I was able to spend the day with two of my closest friends while exploring our own fair city.

The morning began with breakfast at the triangle cafe (previously, la oui oui cafe) in Ohio city. After an egg white omelet with goat cheese and tomatoes and a skim cafe au lait, we were pleasantly full and ready to start our day of holiday shopping.



First stop Bizarre Bazaar. Walking down Huron Ave we fought the cold winds as we approached the buzz and warmth of the creativity inside the artistic festival of fun. Each booth had something whimsical and clever to offer, each artist on hand to review their work. After hours of scouring the show we scored many unique finds. From a silver razor blade necklace to hand letter pressed holiday cards, from sassy illustrated mouse pads to unique "Christmas-morning" earrings, there was something for everyone. If you didn't make it this year, don't miss out next year.



After a quick pit stop at Starbucks for a few gingerbread lattes we headed over to University Circle. Second stop, the Cleveland Institute of Art Student Show and Holiday Sale. To be honest the sale was a bit underwhelming - and that's being nice. It is always such a delight to enter the halls of an educational institution to experience "flyer-ed" walls looking for roommates or band members, but in general, the student art at the show was more like a series of mistakes and '"do-overs" (Think lots of very thick pottery pieces). In giving the school and students the benefit of the doubt we guessed that perhaps many of the student artists were participating at the Bizarre Bazaar. We hope that was the case.

From the two more quirky younger art sales we decided to cap off our day with a final stop at the Art Craft Building on Superior and East 30th. The space itself houses many working artists studios but this weekend on the third floor more than 40 artists shared with Cleveland some awe inspiring talent and impeccable craft. From exquisite glass blown wine glasses to completely museum-quality-like jewelry. If only I could devote my entire paycheck to art, it could have been fun. Although we didn't buy much there we ran into a few friends, indulged in fresh popcorn and were inspired to keep saving our pennies for that day when we were going to walk away with a large painting of sorts.

The day was about celebrating Cleveland artists while spending time with friends and picking up a few holiday treats along the way...what could be better?

Cosmic "Christmas" Collectibles

Vintage bulbs, feathery trees, sparkly ornaments and lots of vintage glitz and glamour await your discovery at Lakewood's finest vintage home furnishings and accessories store, Cosmic Collectibles.

Formerly located on Madison Avenue, this store has a charming home on Detroit Avenue, right next to Aladdin's Eatery. The storefront on this bustling section of Detroit takes you back to fifties Lakewood with its wonderfully decorated vintage holiday window displays. This boutique continues to offer quality and reasonably priced mid-century modern furniture finds, shabby chic treasures including lighting and clothing and the perfect assortment of tiny treasures of now!

For store hours give Robyn a call at 216.221.1085

Unique "Artsy" Gifts (12/1)

Saturday, December 1st, 2007

In Cleveland we are sure of two things; one, a very cold winter (with wind chills below zero) and two, a weekend in December where amazing artists come out to share their wealth of artistic passions for shoppers young and old to enjoy and buy. Below are the top three weekend art extravaganzas in town. In all cases arrive early with cash on hand. There is sure to be something for everyone on your list.

BAZARRE BIZARRE
Every year since 2001, the Bazaar Bizarre has brought together avant-garde knitters, hipster t-shirt printers, vinyl melters, and other makers of objets d'adorable. At last year's Bazaar many Clevelanders finished their Christmas shopping in record time, pawed covetously at a purse shaped like a turtle, ran into long lost friends, chatted up the author of a favorite web comic, and misplaced our friends again in the throngs of craft-hungry shoppers.

The 2007 Cleveland’s Bazaar Bizarre will take place from noon to 9:00 p.m. in the storefront of the Sincere Building on corner of East 4th and Prospect Avenue.
For more info on the Bazarre Bizarre visit www.bazaarbizarre.org



ART CRAFT BUILDING HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & SALE
Not only is this space a very cool destination for an art show & sale, it is home to over 20 resident working artists.

The artists of the ArtCraft Building invite you to join them in their studios for the annual holiday sale of their work. They will be joined by more than 40 additional artists. This is a fine collection of emerging, established and eclectic artists celebrating the 20th annual Holiday Open Studio.

This show is open on Saturday from 12-9 p.m. and Sunday from 12-5 p.m.
The ArtCraft Building is located at 2570 Superior Ave. There is ample parking in the well-lit and secure lot behind the building, as well as on Superior Ave.
For more information on this show visit www.artistsofcleveland.com/artcraft.htm


CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART, STUDENT SHOW & SALE

This truly is a one-of-a-kind show. Filled with the most hip and fresh finds in town, be sure not too miss it! Shop for truly unique holiday gifts made by CIA students...in their spare time.

The sale will be held in the Ohio Bell Auditorium. Open on Saturday from 10-8 p.m. and Sunday from 12-5 p.m, with a preview evening event Friday, from 6-8 p.m.
For additional information about this show visit www.cia.edu

Mansion Tour (9/29)

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

The Lakewood Historical Society presents an open house at the historic Faerber-Morse mansion.



Located at 13405 Lake Avenue (corner of Nicholson & Lake), the house was designed by renowned architect Gustave B. Bohm in 1914 for banker George Faerber. Shortly after completion, the home was sold to Agnes Morse, an executive at the Parish and Bingham steel stamping company. Mr. Morse lived lavishly, investing over $100,000 in improvements to the house. The house has a fascinating and varied history including a recent auction and foreclosure, which led to its purchase in 2005 by Mr. Sako Satka. Mr. Satka has offered the house to the Society for a fundraiser for the Lakewood Preservation Fund.

Tickets are on sale now for your chance to tour the historic Faerber-Morse House on Sunday 12:00- 6 p.m. $15 tickets can be purchased at Rozi’s Wine House, Geiger’s Clothing, Liberty Books and News, and Border’s Books

For information on the house visit www.lakewoodhistory.org/artifacts/lhsn17.htm. For ticket information visit www.lakewoodhistory.org

Bitches at Mitch's (9/22)

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

Yes, you heard right. There will be "bitches" at Mitchell Sotka...and a few dogs and cats too, to raise money for the Cleveland Animal Protective League.

Joining Sotka will be local artists Kimberly Engel, Gai Russo and Susan Scaporati. 10% of sales will be donated to the Cleveland APL. Kimberly has wonderful silhouettes and mixed media images of canines. Gai and Susan have animal-lover themed jewelry in addition to their well-known lines of aromatherapy and lariats.

So bring your pooch for all the fun. The Cleveland APL will be available with animals to adopt from 12-4pm and other activities include give-a-ways, dog care, training tips, homemade dog treats, t-shirts and dog ice-cream.

So if you are a dog lover or just want to help support a wonderful cause Swing by Mitchell Sotka's in Rocky River on Old River Road. For more information, visit www.mitchellsotka.com

Not your average "Paper Trail" (9/07-08)

Friday & Saturday September 7th & 8th, 2007



This Friday, "Paper Trails" of Rocky River will open its doors to paper shoppers throughout the Cleveland area.  Paper Trails is a lovely paper boutique, with one of the areas sweetest selections of in-stock and special order stationery, note cards, invitations, announcements, gift wrap and accessories.
 
We were lucky enough to drop into the store while the shelves were in the process of being stocked by store owner Katie Pickard. From what we could see she has some really neat lines of linen boxes, pretty napkins and fresh greeting cards...sure to please all.

Katie also gave us a handful of $10 gift certificates to give out to our readers. Be one of the first 15 people to leave a "comment" on this posting, and we will drop the certificate in the mail for you so you can pick up a few free cards for those upcoming special occasions! Please make sure to include your name and mailing address .

Paper Trails is located on the corner of the Old River Shopping Area at 19146 Old Detroit Road. Swing by for the Grand Opening from 10AM to 4PM both days. For more information call 440.333.0033 or visit www.papertrailstoyou.com

Wooltex Gallery Opening (9/07)

Friday, September 7, 2007

Pentimenti : New Works by Misha and Amy Kligman

Amy Kligman (www.amykligman.com) and her husband Misha
(www.mechanicalsoul.com) will be the featured artists at this Friday's Wooltex Gallery opening at the Tower Press Building (1900 Superior Ave)

The husband and wife duo, who once resided in our fair city are back and ready to share with us their latest work. In a written statement for the show, The Kligmans's describe their work as speaking to "the polished outer layers of the human psyche and, more important, the less polished layers they hide."



Princess & Little Scream by Amy Kligman
Untitled & Untitled by Misha Kligman


Friday's opening reception is from 5 to 8pm. The exhibit runs through October 12th. For gallery hours and additional information visit www.wooltexgallery.com

New Improved Apple (8/13-18)

Monday, August 13th- Friday 18th

In case you missed the launching of the new iPhone or the all-new iMac...swing by the newly renovated, super chic Apple Store (The store was closed for a week for redecorating!) at Legacy Village to play with your soon to be new “toy.”

For more information visit Legacy Village or the Apple Store

Sweet Orange

Interested in fashion, travel and design? You can’t miss out on a daily stop to my good friend Laura’s blog. Visit The Scoop at www.orangebeautiful.com/blog/
Check it out, she has impeccable taste.