We are mourning the passing of Viktor Schreckengost.  His artwork and industrial designs influenced a generation.  Today’s  Around Noon program on WCPN features Viktor Schreckengost, including a radio documentary.  Both can be heard here.

Fascination of the City

At RED DOT Project, we’ve been identified as “Social Venture” on the leading edge of a new direction in non-profit funding.  It means that RED DOT Project has a profit making business entity (selling artists work) directly connected to it’s mission (creating a market for regional art).  Our organization and our members are not simply putting our hands out to funders asking for funds; together we are creating the funds to continue our collective work.

Another example of Clevelanders approaching social change in an innovative way is Cleveland Collectivo, who is hosting their second annual “Change for Change” fundraising event on Saturday February 23rd.  In essence, this is a small circle of people who decided it was time to stop talking about Cleveland’s problems and start investing in solutions. Inspired by the traditional practice of immigrant neighbors who invested in each other’s businesses in order to build community, they gathered together for the purpose of collective giving. Their mission is to strengthen our community through collective investments that identify and nurture innovative projects. Each member contributes funds to The Colectivo quarterly and together they choose projects to support. If you are not familiar with the Colectivo, you can learn more about them at www.clevelandcolectivo.org.   At this year’s  event they will be auctioning off artist-created purses and wallets to raise money for this year’s grantees.  The theme of the event is “change for change,” and they are seeking submissions of purses and wallets.   Pieces can be functional or not-so-functional.  If you or someone you know is interested in creating a piece, please let them know by contacting jasonhweiner@yahoo.com.   Artists are often asked to give their art for auctions and fundraisers.  It often seems to be a “jump on the bandwagon” ask to artists for yet another worthy cause that doesn’t recognize the challenges of being an artist in this region.  This one feels a little different, like an opportunity to join other Clevelanders investing their own money in this community with an investment in art.   

Jessica Maloney is participating in The Artists of Tower Press show opening Friday, January 25th with a reception 6:00 - 8:00.  The show at the Wooltex Gallery is featuring artists that live and work in the Tower Press building.  Jessica’s piece, Impact, will be representing RED DOT Project at this show. 

The Tower Press building has been the home of RED DOT Project since our inception in 2005.  It is an exciting building to call home with lots of creative energy and the support of Dave and Karen Perkowski. 

We welcome clients to our office to puruse the artwork of Jessica Maloney and any of our nearly 100 Northeast Ohio artists.  Be sure to call first as we do go out on apointment promoting and selling our artists’s work.

At the recent COSE Arts Network panel presentation about Art and Techology, there was a lot of lively discussion around many issues surrounding “technology” as an art form, tool, etc. It was great to hear about Carnegie Mellon’s Master of Entertainment Technology and to learn about the ways this program has influenced young creative graduates to stay or return to Pittsburgh to become arts entrepreneurs (where the cost of living is similar to Cleveland — and to which many graduates of this program leave for pricier but sexier environs, only to return for a richer lifestyle on less — sound familiar?). The Ingenuity Festival has in many ways encouraged discussion, provided opportunity for regional artists, and educated by offering the opportunities to experience the technological art of artists from around the world. The Future Center at CIA opened doors and minds. What’s next?

COSE has launched a new on-line service called “Mindspring.” An on-line forum was introduced to keep the lively discussion going that followed the presentation.  I was wondering about some other ways artists can explore technologies that can help them expand their art, and posted a question to that effect.

Join the on-line forum at:
http://www.cosemindspring.com/discussion/technology/intersection-technology/artists-northeast-ohio

I had a blast checking out links and posts, and getting some feedback from another creative entrepreneur.  It’s free, and it’s all right there, join in on the discussion!

What are your ideas?  How do you see technology enhancing your work?  How can we push those limits?  Is technology most useful in expressing concepts and allowing manipulation of images, or changes in scale (that can impact cost and make murals,etc. more affordable)? Does it allow you to produce products that were once caustic in an environmentally friendly way?  What are your thoughts?  Where do we go with this?….

Joan

Join the Cleveland Sketchcrawl organized by Karen Sandstrom.

It is this Saturday, October 6, 10 am to noon.  Meet at the old Arcade on Superior Avenue.  RED DOT Project artist, Thomas Roese, will be on hand for encouragement and fun.

More info at Cleveland Sketchcrawl blog

Ten RED DOT Project artists artwork was auctioned off Friday night at Art of Space, an event in celebration of Studio Graphique’s 10 Year anniversary.  Not only did everyone there have a great time, but the artwork was sold to a lively and engaged crowd.

Tricia Lazuka, Lakefront

This auction was like no other.  The artists were paid for their creative endeavors!  Spaces, Cleveland Public Art, and RED DOT Project also were beneficiaries from this event.  Thanks to the artists that participated and Studio Graphique for celebrating their business in grand style!

Join us this weekend for Sparx Gallery Hop and City Artists at Work Open Studios.  RED DOT Project will be featuring the work of Anne Kibbe, Honey Lazar, Tricia Lazuka, Kate Ward Terry, and Chris Zielski.  A great opportunity to shop our flat file drawers for incredible artwork by nearly 100 regional artists.  While you are out, pick up a map to visit the studios and galleries in the Art Quarter. 

This is a great weekend to explore art in Cleveland!

Twenty RED DOT Project artists are involved in INGENUITY 2007!   We hope you will join us at the festival (July 19 - 22) to take a look at what we’ve been up to as a part of an ”ingenious” partnership.  You’ll see the work of the work of Melissa Daubert, Artemis Herber, Rita Montlack, PR Miller, Seth Chwast, and James Massena March as well as artist members with work on exhibition in “The Art of Space” exhibit produced by Studio Graphique in celebration of their 10th anniversary and in the Artists Market. 

We’ll be providing you with regular updates, and hope you will join us tonite at Ingenuity Guest Bartender Night ——-

Thursday, July 12 – 5:30 to 7:30 PM

The Club at Key Center, 127 Public Square

The Club at Key Center’s Guest Bartender Night with Special Guests from the 2007 Ingenuity Festival Executive Director James Levin and Associate Director Rich Weiss. James and Rich will serve up cocktails ($4.00 Drink Special - Bartender’s Choice) and collect tips for Ingenuity. All cash tips and donations go directly to the 2007 Festival so you truly can make a difference. Give us a call at 216.241.1272 and let us know you’re coming.

and at the Pre-Party Club Night

Saturday, July 14 – 9:00 PM to 2:30 AM

Anatomy Nightclub and Ultra Lounge, 1299 W. 9th Street

Celebrate the start of Ingenuity 2007 at the official Festival pre-party featuring the electro and dance rock music of DJs Le Castle Vania from Atlanta and Lazaro Casanova from Miami. These two hot shots are tearing up the U.S. club scene. $5 cover / 21+ www.anatomycleveland.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INGENUITY, VISIT  http://www.ingenuitycleveland.com/

RED DOT Project artist Mark  Howard’s new mural for Lorain County Community College’s Stocker Arts Center is being installed and will be “unveiled” on July 23, 2007 at the Stocker Arts Center “Spotlight” event, where the 2007 -2008 Stocker Arts Center Season will also be released.  The mural was designed to “tell the story of the Stocker Arts Center” and to paint a picture of what happens at the Stocker Arts Center, for the public and students in the Arts and Humanities department.  The mural project was part of an innovative learning opportunity created for painting students at LCCC, who  learned about the process of creating public art by assisting Mark as he executed the mural. Mark Howard has created numerous other public art installations in Northeast Ohio, including murals at The Cleveland Public Library, The Cleveland School of the Arts, Oriana House, and Rocky River Middle School.  He is best known for his 600′ laser cut steel public art installation at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, and is currently working on several integrated art projects for Cleveland’s RTA Euclid Corridor Project.

Photo - Mark, Nick and Tim from Eikona, LCCC students who participated in the project

RED DOT Project artists are collaborating with Studio Graphique for their 10 Year Anniversary Celebration.  Ten artists are creating work that will be on display at Ingenuity Festival in July and showcased in a Shaker Square Storefront until the September 28 event.  All of the artwork will be sold through silent auction with the proceeds benefitting the artists and several arts organizations.

Here is a sneak peek at Thomas Roese’s piece, PUBLIC SQUARE, DEPARTURE; THE CALL: