Cleveland . . . home to rock and roll, walleye fishing, amusement parks and, of course, world-class art museums.
Surprised? Since the popularity of Cleveland painter Archibald Willard’s patriotic Spirit of ’76 spurred him to form the Cleveland Art Club more than 130 years ago to the 2006 passage of a Cuyahoga County sin tax that provides arts and culture organizations with a stable funding stream, it’s clear that underneath Cleveland’s steely Midwestern exterior there beats an artist’s heart.
In fact, Greater Cleveland’s museums are so successful, they’ve been asked to grow. The Cleveland Museum of Art is in the midst of a $258 million renovation and expansion. MOCA Cleveland is fundraising now for their facility’s move to the nation’s most concentrated square of arts and culture . . . Cleveland’s University Circle. And, the Akron Art Museum reopened in July after an impressive $40+ million expansion.
And if local galleries, installations and cutting edge artists are more your thing, then the Sparx Gallery Hop (Sept 15 and 16) shouldn’t be missed. Ohio’s largest art walk, Sparx features 500 local and international artists, connects five art districts and scores of galleries and studios and (this is the best part) costs only $5 for a weekend trolley pass. For more information about the Sparx Gallery Hop weekend, contact the Downtown Cleveland Alliance at 216.736.7799 or visit www.cleveland.com/sparx
