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.

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.

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.

When was the last time you went inside the Cuyahoga County Courthouse? Did you visit to find Justice? If so, here are some directions: once past tangle of guards, pocket content checkers and metal detectors walk into the voluminous lobby area, up the stairs and into marble column heaven. Look to your right as you face north and Justice will reveal herself to you. You'll gasp.

 

At first we thought he was a little wacky. Later we knew he was totally whack. My brother Stephen Kirby Miller passed away alone in his home somtime in late October 2007. Above and below are some of his artworks I just happened to be perusing this evening.

A collaborative effort involving the best of the Gordon Square Arts District, Including Art Galleries, Artist & Design Studios, Art Auctions, Performance Theatres, Music & Entertainment Businesses, Retail Stores, Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Houses…

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Over the past few weeks, I've noticed strange Clevelandesque slogans posted on billboards around town, with the attribution "Mind of Cleveland". I remember wondering if this was another Cleveland+hype campaign... or about AIDS prevention... and planned to google it later...

 

Gray's Auctioneers Saturday March 1st sale was an exciting event in the fine arts market with the sale of two paintings by important California Impressionist painters, Orrin Augustine White and Arthur Grover Rider.  This was probably the first time works by these artists were sold in Northeast Ohio.

Both works had languished for decades in a Cleveland area home, their historical significance and value unrealized until they were discovered discovered by auctioneer Deba Gray. Both paintings were securely identified by the artists' signatures and original gallery stickers on the back of one of the canvases. The consignor was thrilled to find out that the paintings, which she believed to be worthless except for their gilded original frames, were actually worth thousands of dollars. Gray's Auctioneers featured both paintings on  their promotional postcard and on the cover of their auction catalog.

Dear Friends,

Please join me tonight for the reception of "Collector's Choice - Fifth Annual" at Heights Arts Gallery, (next to the Cedar Lee Theatre.)
     

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March 14, 2008- April 13, 2008Convivium33 Gallery
1433 East 33rd Street (off Superior Ave.)
216.881.7838 or www.josaphatartshall.com
Gallery Hours: 
Tuesday-Friday: 11am-2pm & Weekends -10am- 2pm

  Opening Reception: Friday, March 14 from 6pm –9pm
 
World-renowned Cleveland artist, Reverend Albert Lee Wagner passed away on September 1 of 2006 leaving his family, his ministry and his art behind.  For Cleveland’s “Black Moses,” God and art were his salvation.  The Salvation of the Reverend Albert Wagner is now coming forward; THE EXHIBITION showcases his art and shares his story.  It is all very continuous, powerful and left up to interpretation. 
Please join Convivium33 Gallery and his ministry, The People Love People House of God, as Convivium’s gallery doors open to a collection of works that speak to you and take you on a journey of redemption and salvation.  Albert believed that his art was an extension of his ministry and his personal beliefs.  As it grows in prominence, the Reverend’s work has become a powerful extension of his voice, allowing his message and mission to live on.

Preview the exhibition at special mass on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm at Convivum33 Gallery. Join the artist’s family and friends, for a unique evening, as his daughter and minister of his parish, Sister Bonita celebrates Albert’s art and serves his parish.   There is no charge for the evening but seating is limited.  Please call Convivum33 Gallery for reservations or visit http://www.josaphatartshall.com/gallery/schedule.php

 

THE EXHIBITION is just one of several captivating simultaneous events focusing on the art and life of Reverend Albert Wagner. 

ONE BAD CAT:  The Reverend Albert Wagner Story is the focus of a new FILM recently awarded the coveted “Best Documentary” category at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, California.  ONE BAD CAT will debut at the Cleveland International Film Festival March 6-16, 2008.  (Cleveland International Film Festival 866.865.FILM or www.clevelandfilm.org. for details.
Visit http://www.onebadcat.net/Status.html to view a trailer.

 Join SPACES for a reception Thursday, March 13 at 9pm after the screening of One Bad Cat, a documentary on the life and art of Reverend Albert Wagner at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Director of the film, Tom Miller, along with friends and family will speak about Wagner’s work and respond to the film. Various works by Wagner from public and private collections will be on view that night only.  This event is free and open to the public. Call 216.621.2314 or visit www.SPACESgallery.org for more details. SPACES is located at 2220 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland OH 44113 . 

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This auction features some real art treasures discovered in Cleveland area homes by auctioneer Deba Gray.

Lot 342. Arthur Grover Rider american, 1886-1975) Cracked Bottle, Oil on Canvas. Estimates $10,000-$15,000.

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Michael Chattem, Semen is Thicker Than Blood. Blood, ink, marker

One of the greatest times when the Cleveland School May Show is the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Annual Student Independent Exhibition, now in its 62 year. Drawing from a huge, diverse body of work in every imaginable media and medium - this year, including semen?! - from an awesome pool of talent, connected by a world-class arts college, in a great arts community, the SIE always delivers an inspiring, mind-expanding experience of genius.

Jessica Jurca, Reliquary to the Brontosaurus. Enamel on Copper, pine.

Splashing up such colorful and lusty images has to be therapeutic for the artist.  Right on the edge of an urban dumping ground, full of scrap tires and trash, here's this little fellow sitting comfortably with his leg on the ledge (complete with scrap tire and vines) waving at the buxom gal below.

 

How can the Internet be used to preserve an artist's legacy? Can the Internet make an artist accessible to the world when their work is not exhibited in museums or found in art history books? Is art experienced through the Internet and never seen in person as meaningful and inspiring as art experienced in person? Most of the Realneo community would agree that the Internet and social networking is a useful tool in promoting artists and arts events, but what are the untapped possibilities and limitations. What role can the Internet play in preserving art for the future? As we begin the 21st century there are more artists in the world than ever before, more art work created and probably larger audiences for art as well. But with more artists and art created there is also more art being lost.  
 
Several recent experiences have led me to ponder how the Internet might be used as a cost effective and space saving way to preserve and promote an artist's work for the future. One such experience was Wednesday afternoon February 6th, I had the pleasure of visiting the studio of local artist Gina Brand. Gina Brand is a sculptor, though I am reluctant to give her such a limiting title. On this recent visit I learned that for her entire career she has also painted and produced beautiful charcoal drawings.  
 
Gina Brand has been part of the Cleveland arts scene for many years. A Cleveland Institute of Art graduate, she has been tirelessly producing work that is consistently high quality, both technically and aesthetically strong for many decades. Her studio is filled with works in progress, recently completed works (may of which are sold) and older works that represent her artistic development over the years. Her studio space is in an old warehouse, which I would guess was once used by Cleveland's thriving turn-of-the-century garment industry, is filled with natural light and well organized, though it is obviously the site of much artistic activity.  

To help "Cleveland School" Neon Artist Extraordinair Dana Paterson celebrate, show-off and profit from his cover story feature in the Free Times newspaper, this week, the Inner Circle will feature an exhibit of Dana's recent and past work, with installation beginning this Friday, February 8, 2008, when you may meet the artist, from 4-7 PM... the exhibition will have a formal opening next Friday, Fenruary 15th, from 6-9 PM, and will remain on display through the end of the month.

 

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Covered on Realneo in the past here, and here, today Dana Paterson is front page on the Cleveland Free Times

It's a new year and a new day of the week for Gray's Auctioneers monthy auctions! The first auction of 2008 is this Saturday, January 26th at 1 pm. In this auction you will find the typical great deals and unique and interesting items. There are vintage and antique Chinese decorative items, textiles and furniture. There are some high quality vintage dining room sets by makers such as Ethan Allen and Drexel Heritage that are sure to sell for such low prices that it will make anyone who buys such stuff for retail ill. There is a very handsome Arts and Craft desk. The newest jewelry consignments are tasteful and priced to sell (great Valentines Day gifts). The real deals of this auction, in my opinion, are the fine art. There are some great prints mixed in lots of "framed decorative items." But, by far the coolest thing in the whole auction is a hand made model of the Quenn Mary made by E. K. Koos in a hand made glass and teak wood case.

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When I visited The Art Institute of Chicago there was an icy rain coming in off of Lake Michigan.  The sky was slate gray and at two in the afternoon the headlights and tail lights of the cars on South Michigan Avenue reflected off the shiny wet asphalt as I crossed.   Getting inside the warm lobby of the museum felt good.   A $12.00 ticket provides entry to the galleries.  I hadn’t been here before – I had pleasant surprises ahead.

Global warming will bring an end to white Christmas and winter as we've always known in, here in NEO, so during the first real snowstorm of this season, December 16, 2007, I went in search of a visual symbol of NEO, in my neighborhood, strong enough to stand out in white-out conditions, and I came to the Breuer! Not the Breuer Tower, of global controversy, but the Breuer Museum wing of global celebration, design elements of which are featured in the latest additions to the Cleveland Museum of Art, shown on the left here, now evolving form in the hands of Vinoly.

Derek Hess showcased his latest work in a one-night exhibit at Kelly Randall Gallery, in Tremont, December 14, featuring new prints and original illustrations and collages that continue growth and demonstrate innovation in this fine artist's work. His work makes powerful statements in form and message, and Derek's message is stronger and more on-target than ever, in these troubling times.