The Spaces Between | Winter 2025

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L A N D ’ S L O O K AT C L E V E L A N D ’ S P U B L I C P L AC E S

VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 4

Winter 2025

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Transformative Art Fund Shapes Cleveland Through Creativity REVITALIZING NEIGHBORHOODS Across Cleveland, a wave of public art has recently transformed neighborhoods through creativity, collaboration, and community pride. Through the City of Cleveland’s Transformative Art Fund — a $3 million initiative supported by federal ARPA funds — local artists reimagined public spaces and strengthened connections across the city.

IMAGES C/O THE CITY OF CLEVELAND

The inaugural Transformative Art Fund cohort included seven artists — Malena Grigoli, LaTecia Delores Wilson Stone, Jordan Wong, Ariel Vergez, Jameelah Rahman, Robin Robinson, and Kumar Arora — each bringing a distinct voice to communitybased public art. From large-scale murals to interactive installations, their projects reflected the Fund’s mission to use art as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.

LAND studio played a key role throughout the process, providing technical support with planning, permitting, fabrication, and community engagement. These efforts turned creative ideas into meaningful public experiences — celebrating Cleveland’s identity, amplifying local stories, and leaving a lasting imprint on the city’s cultural landscape.

For more information, visit www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/ office-mayor/taf or scan the QR code.

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An Update from LAND studio’s Board Chair LAND’s purpose endures: creating moments, through public spaces, that remind us we are all connected and part of something bigger than ourselves.

As we navigate an ever-changing landscape, one thing remains

because everyone deserves access to inspiring spaces and the very

constant: our commitment to connecting people through art and

best art our city has to offer. As times change, our purpose endures.

public space. This is LAND’s heart and purpose — creating beauty,

Thank you for believing in this

fostering joy, and building moments of

work and in the power of art to

connection that remind us we’re all part

bring people together.

creating beauty and joy this season

of something bigger. Across Cleveland, our team continues to lift up Cleveland’s neighborhoods, residents, and visitors –

COLETTE JONES

BOARD CHAIR, LAND STUDIO

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New Art Wall Installation: Feel It, Name It by Aja Joi Grant Visitors to Public Square can now

Black identity, spirituality, liberation,

printing to evoke movement, emotion, and

experience Feel It, Name It, a striking

and healing through her vibrant

transcendence. “This piece represents the

new installation by artist Aja Joi

visual language. Her work has been

limitless space we find ourselves in when

Grant, on LAND’s Café Art Wall on

featured across Northeast Ohio, and

we embrace ourselves boldly,” says Grant.

the southwest side of the Square.

she continues to inspire as both an

Visit Public Square to experience Feel It,

Grant — a photographer, printmaker,

artist and educator. Feel It, Name It

Name It — on view now!

and fiber artist — explores themes of

layers photography and cyanotype

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P R O F I L E

Celebrating a New Playscape at The Centers’ Wade Early Learning Site On a crisp October morning in Cleveland, a joyful ribbon cutting

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Bringing the vision to life was a collaborative effort. Local artist Chi-

celebrated the opening of the new

Irena Wong created a series of playful

Playscape at The Centers’ Wade Early

ground murals; New Vista Landscaping

the experience. The project was made

Learning Site – a vibrant outdoor

sourced and installed barn stones for

possible through the PNC Foundation’s Grow Up Great initiative® in partnership

learning space designed and built

an outdoor classroom and the plant

by LAND. The project transformed a

material that anchors the space in color

with The Centers. Together, these

traditional play yard into a dynamic

and texture; and Andrew Pearson of

partners created a joyful, art-filled

space where children can explore,

Staticcraft designed, fabricated, and

environment that celebrates curiosity,

imagine, and connect with nature.

installed custom furniture to complete

community, and the power of play.

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CLEVELAND, OHIO PERMIT NO. 1940

2519 Detroit Avenue, Suite 100 Cleveland, OH 44113 216.621.5413 | L A N D - ST U D I O.O R G

Winter 2025

THE SPACES BE T WEEN I N T H I S I S S U E I Your transformative support :

TAF shapes Cleveland’s new public art spaces : Celebrating new art installations and playscapes

STUDIO SPOTLIGHT

Where art grows, hope follows Public art and well-designed public spaces remind

neighborhoods into spaces of inspiration

a check to LAND studio, 2519 Detroit Ave,

us who we are — creative, resilient, and stronger

and belonging. Please consider making

Ste 100, Cleveland, OH 44116. We need

together. Your support makes that possible.

a gift today by visiting land-studio.org/

you — now more than ever — to support

Every dollar helps transform walls, parks, and

donate, scanning the QR code, or mailing

creativity and connection in Cleveland.

L AND STUDIO IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY