Click on the various links along the side to read commentary and view photos from "Art & Art Deco Cleveland 2006." We would especially like to thank Colin Rose, Stuart Spivack, Allan Boatright, and Lisa Beyer for sharing their photos. You can also read the article (PDF) on the trip.
What participants had to say about Art & Art Deco Cleveland 2006:
"Fantastic tour of Cleveland."
Participant from London, UK
"We had a great time in Cleveland. We had no idea of the wealth of art and architecture there."
Participants from Montreal, Quebec
"We found Cleveland to be a city rich in history and culture…and much more affordable than Chicago!"
First time visitors from Chicago, IL
"The tour absolutely changed my impression of Cleveland. (Prior to the tour) my impression was that Cleveland was a fine arts wasteland. Instead, it was full of pleasant surprises!"
Participant from Chicago, IL
"I was amazed at…the international audience."
Participant from Cleveland
"I was most impressed with the dedication and sincerity of all the Clevelanders — the museum directors, tour leaders, and especially Melvin Rose…to show us their hometown treasures."
Participant from Pittsburgh, PA
"A fantastic job organizing."
Participant from New York, NY
"I can't say enough good things about this experience."
"Loved every minute of it – it was over-the-top special."
"Exhilarating memories of a venture very well done."
"The (other participants) were fun and interesting people."
"So much thought and effort went into the planning."
"Loved the guide book...it's full of great information...I intend to use it again at a future visit."
"Cleveland is grossly underrated as a tourist destination."
"Thanks for enriching our lives with Cleveland history."
"Can't wait to do it again."
"I'd be very interested in another tour…keep me posted."
"When can we do this again?"
During the week of September 13-17, 2006, a lively group gathered to visit art and architecture venues throughout Greater Cleveland. International participants traveled from London, Paris, and Montreal. There was a large contingent from Greater Chicago, as well as visitors from New York City, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Northern Ohio, and of course, Greater Cleveland. The primary focus was Art Deco, but the group had a wide appreciation for art and design beyond Deco, so many other periods were included. As the above remarks testify, the tour was a smashing success--a "post-tour" survey revealed that 100% of the out-of-town guests said they "would consider visiting Cleveland again."
Participants also experienced Cleveland's rich ethnic history with lunches at Sokolowski's (Polish), Balaton (Hungarian), and the West Side Market. "Optional" evening meals and events were well attended: we had wonderful dinners at Pickwick & Frolic, La Dolce Vita in Little Italy, and the Blue Point Grille. It was a beautiful evening for our Lake Erie cruise on the Nautica Queen. We laughed so hard we cried at the Great Lakes Theater Festival production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in Playhouse Square.
The tour was intentionally planned to coincide with Ohio's largest art walk, the annual "Sparx in the City Gallery Hop," September 16-17, 2006. For a mere $5 trolley pass, we had the opportunity to see the work of over 500 artists--at over 100 galleries, studios, and exhibits--in five Cleveland neighborhoods. We spent time in Tremont and Little Italy, and were most fascinated with the live/work artist studios in old manufacturing buildings along Superior Avenue. Others enjoyed the second largest chalk festival in America sponsored by The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Commentary was compiled by TCSCM volunteers and politely plagiarized from the following sources: