Art House - A Look Inside

Painting and Ceramics

Art House, Inc., a nonprofit arts center with a community focus, is in historic Brooklyn Centre in Cleveland, Ohio. Our Mission is to inspire exploration and expression through the visual arts. AH achieves this by making art accessible to the Greater Cleveland community through guidance, instruction, and encouragement.

Art House (AH) seeks to enrich the lives of those who live in our community promoting learning through the arts and strengthening the careers of local artists by providing high quality, free, and low-cost visual and creative arts programs for people of all ages and skill levels.

With fulfilling this mission, Art House stabilizes our neighborhood and creates opportunities for artists to thrive. By means of extension, the organization contributes significantly in the creation of Cleveland as a culturally rich and economically viable destination to live, work and raise a family. Our campus includes a 3,000 square foot studio facility housed in a 1948 Quonset building and new “Creative Garden”, an intimate outdoor arts programming space. To inspire exploration and expression through the visual arts.

Brief History

In November 1999, a group of artists and residents from the Old Brooklyn/Brooklyn Center neighborhood, dedicated to the belief that “the arts enrich lives and help create stronger communities” contacted their local council person about establishing a community arts center.

Former councilwoman Merle Gordon (Ward15) was very receptive to the proposal and helped to provide grant funds for the purchase and initial repairs of the 1885 Victorian House and a 1948 Quonset Hut, formerly owned and operated by Hasek Glass Co. from1963 to 1992.

With Art House founding members, Cheryl Carter, Odell Coleman Jr., Cheryl D’Amico and Sheryl Hoffman, members worked to establish AH’s Articles of Incorporation and filed with the state Ohio in March 2000. In April 2001, AH became a non-profit arts organization and received its IRS 501(c) (3). Property and title were acquired in November 2001.

During its start-up period 1999-2001, Art House conducted organizational and board development consultancies with Janus Small Associates; small off-site pilot classes for children and adults with Community Partnership for Arts and Culture; and developing community communications with the assistance from the Ohio Ars Council.

At the initial start-up, Art House conducted a capital campaign and raised over $200,000 to renovate the 1948 Quonset hut into an ADA accessible art studio. Art House started as a networking hub for Cleveland artist, bringing art to the community, making art more accessible to everyone -children and adults. Since that time Art House, Inc. has provided meaningful art experiences to over 500,000 individuals.

Art House inc. 2001

Cherly Carter Diane Shoemaker Sheryl Hoffman Kerri Whitehaus

Art House offers fee-for-service workshops and classes to businesses, organizations, community groups, schools and other agencies interested in providing arts experiences for the populations they serve. In the past, numerous summer camp groups, as well as the Girl Scouts and Girls & Boys Clubs of America, have taken advantage of AH’s short, fun workshops.

Programs we have provided include:

• After School Programs for schools, clubs, religious organizations, and neighborhood organizations

• Customized corporate retreats that

• support team-building through art

• Professional development

Birthday parties for kids, teens, and adults

• Studio Rental for private events (such as holiday parties, annieversaries)

• Other art-centered events and classes These programs are inclusive of studio rental, the services of a Teaching Artist, and all materials necessary for your chosen art project. A variety of mediums and techniques are available, including printmaking, clay, bookmaking, painting and more. These programs are available to corporations, schools, small businesses, and individuals (contact Art House directly for more information on projects and pricing).

Family Clay Day

(Every other month one of our Teaching Artists leads participants in the creation of various functional and sculptural forms.)

Family Open Studio

(Offered monthly Participants learn how to make images and objects using a whole variety of media that are often inspired by different cultural explorations)

Artist Inventory Challenge

During this annual event artists convene at Art House to create new work inspired by the organization’s excess of donated materials. The event is open to the public to observe, interact, and participate in other activities.

ABC Chilli Cook-off

(Artist+Bowls+Chilli)

This is a yearly benefit and friend-raising event. 10 Contenders compete for the Chilli Championship which is determined by popular vote. Ceramic artist donate bowls that are included in the ticket price

Volunteers helped install a large mosaic mural created by 7th graders who expressed Art House’s impact. The ceramic flowers spell out “Blossom”.

2023 Summer Camp

Art House’s award winning Urban Bright Arts-in-Education Program is an artist residency program that provides students with meaningful, hands-on arts opportunities and exposure to artists, methods and materials to which they would otherwise not be exposed. The program aims to promote critical thinking, improve communication skills and increase each students’ ability to participate in teamwork settings.

Through grant funding, AH is able to provide the Urban Bright residency programs to individual schools. AH works with partner schools to tailor an artist residency appropriate for a specific grade and classroom dynamic. AH coordinates and facilitates the residency, providing a qualified and professional artist, all supplies, and an agreed-upon curriculum.

In & After-school residencies run between 5- 16 weeks long, for k- 12, meeting once or twice a week and follow ODE, VAS, and SEL standards.

Some of the in-school visual art projects that Art House has done:

• Stewardship Silk Banners (high school) where students learned about local plant life while working as a team to paint silk banners.

• Conservation Recycling Projects (high school, 2021 and 3rd grade, 2019) in which students learned about the impact of plastics on the environment with International weaving and plastics artist Ron Shelton.

• Self-esteem Mixed-media Project (1st grade) that encouraged students to discuss positive characteristics about themselves and others as well as their aspirations while learning photography skills.

• “We Grow Together” Mural project (spring 2023) lead by printmaker, Jen Craun, which will installed outside in Denison Elementary’s courtyard to personalize the space.

Urban Bright 2023 Exhibition

Urban Bright 2022 Exhibition

Kinetic Sculptures – Galimotos:

Teaching artist Melissa Daubert

Students at John Marshall HS had never worked with hand tools such as wire cutters and pliers, nor had to apply math for mechanical purposes. Initially reluctant, self-conscious and hanging back- keeping on their coats and packs, they soon became quiet and intent on their projects. They relaxed- shedding coats and back packs to free up their movement. Through the residency, they became skilled with tools, abstract thinking (planning how to realize what they were imagining) and problem solving. In this same class one of the 12th grade students refused to do the project because he was not allowed to pass school. His teacher confided in the teaching artist that his parents didn’t want him to get passing grades so that he would qualify for social security. I told the student that the project was not graded. After that he was able to participate. The image to the right shows the results.

Printmaking Processes

Teaching Artist Caludio Orso

Claudio worked with Kindergarteners at Old Brooklyn- he wanted to do a printmaking project. Trying to get the students to press hard enough on their Styrofoam block was challenging as they were not strong enough to reach their full image. He saw their frustration. Claudio put a large piece of paper on the ground and set the block on top. He then proceeded to dance on the block to create the print. The students immediately started giggling and began to make perfect prints as they danced with Claudio.

Dead Parade Project 2018

Teaching Artist Wendy Mahon

At R.G. Jones, a 6th-grade girl came up to Wendy on the last day of the project. The student told her how much she loved the puppets and asked,

“Are you going to come back and do this for every holiday?”

She was so excited to learn about the different holidays and traditions that she could not wait to see what else they could celebrate.

Denison Elementary School

Oliver H.

Perry Elementary School WilburWrightElementarySchool

Kinetic Sculptures

Spring 2023 Jen Craun (Teaching artist)

Melissa Daubert (Teaching artist)

Fall 2022 Guy Vincent (Teaching artist)

Fall 2023 Natalie Eddy (Teaching artist)

URBAN BRIGHT

Art House is embarking on a twophase project to build a Creative Garden on our campus. Phase one was funded by a Green Infrastructure Grant of $249,000 from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. At the core of the green infrastructure phase, is building a bioswale to capture storm water runoff. This was achieved in spring 2023, where the AH parking lot was relocated from the east to the west side of the property, creating the proper grade and flow of storm water to the bioswale.

Bioswales have more complicated structural elements such as layers of engineered soil and gravel, perforated pipe underdrains, and overflow structures to help handle runoff from bigger storms. Similar to rain gardens, bioswales use native plants to help absorb more water and prevent erosion. The gardens in the bioswale provide habitats pollinators, bees, and birds. This helps to improve the ecosystem which further improves air quality and beautifies the neighborhood. Art House is creating an environmentally, friendly campus, supporting the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer

Districts goal of reducing storm water runoff into the sewer system saving our waterways. The plant palette will be created of perennials, creating a rolling wheel of color during each season of the year. All the plants are low maintenance, will grow and blend together over several years. The variety of plants can be used in art projects, or as inspiration for classes. In addition to plants, the bioswale will also feature a land bridge.

Phase Two of the project encompasses the educational and artistic elements which will enhance programming and provide a park-like space in the neighborhood. With the completion of phase one, the Creative Garden will see new components to include a versatile outdoor classroom space, a campus gateway, lighting, trees, plants, a mosaic path, sculpture, art installations, and more.

rinsley Tyrrell, a well-known Northeast Ohio artist and friend of Art House has committed to creating a 4.5-foot-tall sculptural fence that will embrace the property and draw in those who come to Art House. Tyrrell has been commissioned to do many distinct and unique placemaking pieces that reflect the individuality of the space and the organization. His inspiration and materials reflect the environment into which the work will be placed.

The outdoor classroom space will expand and enrich our educational programs. AH innovative programs will provide an opportunity to educate on the importance of environmental stewardship and our teaching artists will create instruction in a unique setting and utilize elements in the garden as materials for use and as inspiration. We envision building convertible benches that transform into tables so students can draw or sculpt out in the grassy area. Stations with different artistic materials can be created and used by visitors or classes. An interactive canvas will be created on the eastern boundary fence so families can explore the environment and create work while being inspired by the garden around them. Art House will also showcase public art along Denison Avenue, establishing a safer, more beautiful entrance to the AH campus.

Children and adults in urban areas such as Brooklyn Centre have limited access to neighborhood park-like spaces. This Creative Garden will offer a space where communities can explore and share the outdoors together.

Get Involved

Donate

Gifts to the Annual Fund support Art House’s core programs in visual arts, ceramics, and outreach programs. Gifts of all sizes are crucial to the success of our mission. No gift is too small!

Become a volunteer

Each week more than 200 children/families walk through the doors of Art House, Inc. to create, build and discover their art with paint, clay, mosaics, ceramic and photography. Without the help of amazing volunteers, AH would never be able to offer so many creative opportunities for the Cleveland community.

Stay up to date on the latest!

Subscribe to our newsletter and follow AH on FB, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Our Wishlist

Art Supplies

Although we have limited storage, we will gratefully accept any unused supplies you would like to donate!

Technology

New or used iPads or Tablets for our Teaching Artists to use in the classroom. New or used Kindle Fire Tablets for kids in Urban Bright to use in the classroom. New or used laptops for our interns.

Services

Handyman or woman to do small “fix-it” jobs at our campus, Groundskeeper – enjoy lawncare and gardening.

Office Supplies

Copier Paper, Sharpies, Pencils

Something Big

An 8’ x 10’ outdoor storage shed with floor base. (we do need to list price – if a donor is interested, we will have those suggested prices should they be able to donate to AH. The floor base will secure the shed from water seepage and other weather elements).

Generously Supported by

Our Organizational Partners

Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio

Building Hope in the City

The City of Cleveland

Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Cleveland Public Library

Comite Mexicano de Cleveland

Horizon Education Centers

NewBridge

Orange Community Education & Recreation

Rocky River Public Library

Starting Point

Mosaics and Drawing

3119 Denison Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109

Thank you for reading! See you soon!

Contributors

Prathinav Dutta

Jordan Mcneal

Staff

Laila Voss

Patricia Hughes

Erica Raby

Rebecca Kempton

Mikayla Chacalos

Emeritus:

Eduardo Rodriguez

Nitza Rondon-Rosario

Brinsley Tyrrell

2023 Art House Inc. Board of Directors

Doug Pease President

Adam Stalder Vice-President

Virginia Mockler Secretary

Nancy Fisher Crum Treasurer

Emma Catherine Bango

John Foley

Rodney Lewallen

José Montero

Bruce Page

John Rakauskas