accommod accommodating groups of 25 to 450), and Eells Gallery, y which features exhibits presented by Kent Blossom Art, often featuring regional and national artists. Three landscaped gardens are also located on the main grounds: The Frank E. Joseph Garden was named in honor of the board president of The Cleveland Orchestra at the time of Blossom’s construction and opening. Emily’s Garden was opened in 1992 to commemorate Emily (Mrs. Dudley S. Jr.) Blossom’s many contributions to Blossom Music Center. The Herbert E. Strawbridge Garden was added in 2003, named in memory of Cleveland Orchestra trustee and civic leader Herb Strawbridge. The Blossom Redevelopment Project redesign of Emily’s Garden, as well as the design of the Herbert E. Strawbridge Garden, are by Michael Van Valkenburgh. PARTNERING WITH KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
Since the inception of Blossom, The Cleveland Orchestra has partnered with Kent State University to extend Blossom’s role as a center for S AR Y E6 8 - 2 O 1 8 professional training in the visual and performing arts. Each summer, the 19 Kent Blossom arts festivals bring some 300 young professionals in art, music, and theater together with working professionals to teach, explore, and produce great art. This important relationship between a premier performing ensemble and a public university has also served as a model for other collaborations. Each summer’s off ferings emphasize intensive, individualized study with prominent visiting master artists and resident Kent State faculty, including principal members of The Cleveland Orchestra. Public exhibitions and performances are an integral part of each summer’s offerings. A season of Broadway musicals is presented at Porthouse Theatre annually, while the musicians of Kent Blossom Music Festival perform free public concerts and recitals and appear in a special side-by-side concert with The Cleveland Orchestra (this year on July 21). PARTNERING WITH CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK AND THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND
Following the construction and opening of Blossom Music Center in 1968, additional ideas for redeveloping the Cuyahoga Valley spurred the creation of Cuyahoga Valley National Park to help preserve the natural beauty of the area chosen as The Cleveland Orchestra’s permanent summer home. Created as a recreational preserve in 1974, the land was designated as a National Park in 2000. In the past decade, The Cleveland Orchestra worked with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to conserve more than 500 acres of Blossom Music Center land into Cuyahoga Valley National Park through a sale funded by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. This transfer helps protect the park experience for concertgoers at Blossom, conserves the land for preservation, and provided one-time funding for the Orchestra. This sale of Blossom Music Center land now connects over 5,000 acres of forest ecosystems within the park. Read and learn more about the National Park and nearby attractions by visiting www.nps.gov/cuva.
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About Blossom
Blossom Music Festival