July 16, 201014 yr Thank you for your help with the photo. Please allow me to give credit: 1104 Prospect is courtesy of The Frangos Group; the display is by Gillian Barnes and Jason Radcliffe. The items are from Geode Gallery, 755 Starkweather in Tremont, 440-667-1651, geodegallery-tremont.com, which Gillian owns. The furniture is by Jason, Forty Four Steel, 440-821-8495, 44steel.com :clap:
August 14, 201014 yr Another window has been completed. There are more to come as there are more in the works.... Eventually, when enough are going at any given time we hope to create a downtown do-it-yourself artwalk to encourage people to walk by the windows. For now... Let's introduce this message from Joan: 1603 Euclid/Charmaine Spencer Please allow me to give credit: 1603 Euclid is courtesy of Colliers Ostendorf-Morris, David Ostoich and James Consolo; both installations are by CIA graduate Charmaine Spencer who works out of 78th Street Studios in the west side Cleveland neighborhood of Detroit-Shoreway. Ms. Spencer has been chosen to participate in Ingenuity Fest 2010 September 24-26. Here are some photos...not the best, but you get an idea. This is a great way to dress up downtown in the interim and I hope we continue to gain support.
August 16, 201014 yr Looks fabulous :). Sorry we haven't been able to do any cleaning outside of normal business hours!
September 11, 201014 yr Folks, wait til you see this one!!!! It will blow you away! And... A possible giant mosaic Mona Lisa to come later on someplace else, and the Packard Automobile "Goddesses of Speed!" ...Stay tuned! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A GIANT ART INSTALLATION AT 811 PROSPECT ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF A NEW SUPERHERO WHO CALLS CLEVELAND HOME. GET READY FOR APAMA! Watch the process unfold before your eyes - literally - at 811 Prospect Avenue this Saturday, September 11th at 11:30 AM. All the windows from both floors of the building will be filled with huge comic book images in an installation that tops out at nearly 35 feet high. The proposal's mockup can be viewed here. http://herotomorrow.blogspot.com/2010/09/apama-811-prospect-avenue-building.html The project came to fruition through a collaboration of Cleveland Storefront Art; the building's owner, Joe Ditchman of Ostendorf-Morris; and Apama's creator Ted Sikora. Cleveland Storefront Art is an all-volunteer group headed by Robert Carillio. The group has a mission of connecting owners of downtown vacant storefront windows with artists or non-profit organizations. CSA coordinator Joan Smith said, "This particular building created a serious challenge because of the sheer volume of the window space. When I saw the Apama art I realized it was a great fit. The building with its red-outlined windows lends itself very well to comic book panels." Apama creator Ted Sikora stated, "I remember being spellbound by the giant mural of Batman and Robin on the side of a building in downtown Cleveland during the 70s. This will hopefully give that same kind of feeling with an indie-local flavor." Issue 1 of Apama can be read free online at www.herotomorrow.com. ABOUT APAMA: Back in 1932 two guys from Cleveland Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the world's first super powered crimefighter, Super-Man. Over the years thousands of characters have been created in the genre, but almost none have ever called Cleveland home. Now longtime friends and filmmakers Ted Sikora and Milo Miller have co-written and produced a new comic book series entitled "Apama - The Undiscovered Animal" whose adventures take place all over Cleveland. Apama made his debut at San Diego's Comic Con International, in the independent film "Hero Tomorrow" which has been an international film festival sensation, screening at festivals everywhere from New York to Montreal, Rome, Brazil, Australia, and of course Cleveland. In the Cleveland based film, David is a struggling comic book artist who can't sell his original superhero idea, Apama, to a publisher. His girlfriend, being an aspiring costume designer, makes him a costume of Apama for Halloween. Once David's life goes to pot, he decides to embark on various misadventures in real life dressed up as his own superhero. The comic book "Apama: The Undiscovered Animal" is a realization of David's dream that imagines what David would have created had he succeeded in his comic book creating career. So what is an Apama? With so many great super-heroes based on creatures from nature (Spider-Man, Bat-Man, Wolverine) the creators asked themselves, "What if there was another creature that was so powerful and stealth that is was still undiscovered by modern man?" That creature is the Apama. In the comic book, Hungarian ice cream truck driver Ilyia Zjarsky goes hiking one day and finds the ancient Native American scroll that reveals the key to enabling the Apama's spirit in a human. Says Sikora, "This isn't just some adaptation of a movie. Milo and I felt that we truly had something new to say in the genre. This book will stand on its own two feet without any knowledge of our film." When the team decided to make this into a comic book they put an ad out for an illustrator on the website ConceptArt.org. "To our shock over 100 artists from all over the world applied for the project. It was tough to narrow it down, but Spaniard Benito Gallego was our ultimate choice." "Benito's art reminded us of the classic '70s comic book style we all grew up loving." says Sikora. "His panel layouts give the story a very seamless flow - a very rare quality. He draws beautiful females, and does wonderful work with architecture. In the past he had done quite a bit of animal-monster themed comic art, so he was the perfect fit." Says Gallego of the project, "It's a very mature approach to the superhero genre, It goes from comedy to horror passing through romance. There are references to spiritual knowledge, ethnicities, culture, religion, and mythology." To help Benito capture authentic Cleveland, Sikora went all over town, photographing various locations to create the right feel. "It was just like scouting for our film all over again. I actually got permission to show some actual storefronts and apartment buildings as well." The 35 page first issue of "Apama" can be read free on the film's website (www.herotomorrow.com). The comic is expected to publish on a quarterly basis, and is intended for mature audiences. The DVD for Hero Tomorrow, which has over four hours of material, is available for purchase on the film's website and iTunes. For more information contact Ted Sikora 216-346-0307
September 11, 201014 yr As I recall, there are several other superheros who call Cleveland their own. The infamous Howard the Duck is one. Jack Monroe aka Nomad aka the third Bucky (Captain America's sidekick) aka the second Scourge of the Underworld is another.
September 12, 201014 yr Here's some WEWS Newschannel 5 coverage: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/downtown-cleveland-storefront-turned-into-work-of-art
September 12, 201014 yr Here is what it will look like when completed.... As though there are cartoons LIVE inside the building! Best of all, with the lack of access to power inside, these will still show up well at night.
September 13, 201014 yr Here's some WEWS Newschannel 5 coverage: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/downtown-cleveland-storefront-turned-into-work-of-art Thank you CD (if you can find the other links, super gratitude). Fox8 and 19Action News were also there. I caught the end of 19's segment Saturday night, they went inside the building - (whenever you leave the room is when it comes on.) We spent an exhausting yet exhilarating day mounting the pieces. We need to return to complete the upstairs. It is challenging to work without plumbing or electricity but the outcome is fantastic. It'll be a fun place to stand next to and have your photo taken. Cheers, Joan
September 13, 201014 yr Holy un-frikin-believable Batman! Guys this is completely incredible. Art like this does wonders for Downtown. I LOVE the embracing of Cleveland's Comic book past.
September 13, 201014 yr Yes, indeed. Check out the other Cleveland tidbits in the online comic :laugh:: http://www.herotomorrow.com/
October 13, 201014 yr Here is another window completed.... Also, we are working on placing the "Goddess Of Speed" Statue in a Halle's window by sometime in November...and a 14 by 20 foot mosaic Mona Lisa in Halle's as well. The photo below will be a gold mosaic one installed there. Perhaps a couple more will show up around downtown. This is a large replica of the hood ornament of the classic Packard automobile. The national museum is out east in Warren. It was one of the nation and region's first automobiles. Apparently Jay Leno bought one of these for $6,000.
October 13, 201014 yr And another.... Sorry, I went to post the other photo... Tried in the same post above, and then below, but both attempts and this forum will not allow me to post the window photo because it is saying the file is too large..Max 200 KB. It is 320 KB but I cannot make it any smaller. Sorry. :?
October 13, 201014 yr To post a larger photo, get a free photo hosting account at Flickr or Photobucket, upload the larger photo, then paste the IMG tag it gives you for the photo into your post.
October 13, 201014 yr Apparently Jay Leno bought one of these for $6,000. They are so gorgeous, $6,000 is a deal :-)
October 22, 201014 yr There are more windows to come. Here is the latest.... Please click the link and go to the Flikr site. I cannot post photos here anymore. Thanks! http://www.flickr.com/photos/50585068@N07/5100354169/#in/pool-1416290@N20/
October 24, 201014 yr How large is the 'large replica' of Goddess of Speed? That should look very cool in Halles.
October 24, 201014 yr About 6 or 7 feet long by about 6 feet tall.. May have another one there too. And there will also be a 14'X20' mosaic Mona Lisa.....made up of several individual paintings.
November 9, 201014 yr The large "Goddess of Speed" is in Halle's storefront windows. And the flags with the script "H" are all back on the poles. I must say Halle's looks very good now especially at night.
November 18, 201014 yr A new window display coming to downtown! For Immediate Release Susan Jacobs/Director Community Artworks 3083 Fallehn Dr. Cortland, OH 44410 330-637-3370 [email protected] Mosaic Masterpiece There’s a new lady in town! Originally created in Cortland, OH the Mona Lisa Mosaic Masterpiece has now landed in Cleveland. You’ll find her in a display window of the Halle Building. Over 80 artists ranging form age 18 to age 88 donated their talent, and worked for months, independently on 2’ square canvases to create one beautiful 14’x 20’ mosaic mural of the ‘Mona Lisa’. Each of the 70 canvases represents a personal artist’s view of the community. The ‘Mosaic Masterpiece’ is a reality – proof that individuals have a desire to take positive actions to enhance their community. Information and photos of the opening as well as posters of the masterpiece are available through our website: www.communityartworks.com. YouTube ‘The Mona Lisa Mosaic Masterpiece’ Community Artworks began with an interest to promote our local treasures and bring positive attention to our community through local artists. The Community Artworks has been established under the auspices of the Trumbull County Community Foundation an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern OH. This foundation is a 501©(3) charitable organization that has been operating since 1981. Sincerely, Sue Jacobs
November 23, 201014 yr ^ That one is just about finished. We will also have one done at the Green's space in the Park Building just in time for Winterfest. We look to get some photos posted soon. Cleveland Storefront Art--Improving the look of downtown one window at a time!
December 8, 201014 yr Well, eventhough few at this forum seem to have much of an interest in this obvious and ongoing example of improving downtown vacant storefronts... I will still keep those who are interested informed. :-) Latest completions of cleaning facades/windows and adding a bit of color are The New York Spaghetti House, the "Green's" space at The Park Building---both decorated with a bit of color and art...Nothing spectacular but always an improvement over the former conditions. Also, one will be lit at night soon, (Park Building) and one will have more substance added (NYSH). Additionally, we have completed two windows as talked about above at the Halle Building with more to add, The Mona Lisa and The Goddess Of Speed! You can view photos at our Flickr site. Information about art and the artists can be obtained from the window sites or through our Flickr site. We will be adding the Halle photos soon. On a side note, if we have borrowed any photos from any UO'er and did not credit you for them, please let us know. All should be credited. I want to note that completed spaces are great examples of what kind of basic and simple things Cleveland can do to make noticeable improvements visually, even in tough times. While we often strive for the well meaning and well founded grandiose and wait for the super hero to come in and save the city for us, the smallest things get neglected and we may sometimes forget about what we can do as individuals to make differences. This is where we can all step up, be our own "super hero" to make small differences that in the bigger picture, make a big one collectively! I hope that completed spaces can serve as an example for exuding better storefront basic maintenance and the kind of civic pride that at least "keeps the front porch clean", even in bad times, so to speak! Thanks to Joan Smith for her ongoing ambition in being dedicated to this project which is gaining interest and popularity.Thanks to all cooperating properties as well for their help, and to DCA! Hope you appreciate what we're doing as volunteers stepping up. Here is the Flickr page for Cleveland Storefront Art window makeovers. http://www.flickr.com/groups/clevelandstorefrontart/ Regards, R. Carillio Cleveland Storefront Art
December 8, 201014 yr ^"Well, eventhough few at this forum seem to have much of an interest in this obvious and ongoing example of improving downtown vacant storefronts... I will still keep those who are interested informed." When you start out what is ultimately a positive and informative post with a sentence like that, it really doesn't make me want to keep reading. Just because not everyone has posted how great it is, although many have, doesn't mean that it's not appreciated. Your efforts are laudable; the shades of self-pity are not.
December 9, 201014 yr EC, I appreciate and like being kept up to date on these projects. Perhaps you should gauge interest by the amount of views, not the responses. I always read your updates. Thanks
December 9, 201014 yr ^"Well, eventhough few at this forum seem to have much of an interest in this obvious and ongoing example of improving downtown vacant storefronts... I will still keep those who are interested informed." When you start out what is ultimately a positive and informative post with a sentence like that, it really doesn't make me want to keep reading. Just because not everyone has posted how great it is, although many have, doesn't mean that it's not appreciated. Your efforts are laudable; the shades of self-pity are not. Oh for goodness sakes alive....I am not self pitying! I was merely stating a fact that the interest is small, or at least seems to have been lately.... on the forum regarding this project. I can post posts that are not at all personal attacks on anyone....decorate them with all the smileys in the world and STILL, someone has to remark like this! :roll: (sigh) Funny though, how that tiny inane comment gets an immediate response..... and the project update itself does not. That is just amusing! :laugh: And HTS121... Thank you for the good comment and keeping things on topic. We appreciate that.
December 9, 201014 yr ^If you actually read the post, I remarked that your efforts are appreciated and laudable. If you consider that inane, then I guess there is no pleasing you! :-) And there were no smileys.
December 10, 201014 yr EC - I haven't lost interest, I'm just not not available to help during business hours, which is all that you seem to be able to get lately :(.
December 10, 201014 yr ^If you actually read the post, I remarked that your efforts are appreciated and laudable. If you consider that inane, then I guess there is no pleasing you! :-) And there were no smileys. Its all good. Please let's not use this thread (on items associated with this project) to argue or do the tip for tap thing. That was not my intent or the project's purpose. Anyone working with Cleveland Storefront Art who may post here, be it Joan or myself or another who may take a photo....simply post on here to report on what is being done and actually getting done. Granted, sometimes my reports are lengthy probably due to the enthusiasm I have for this project and what it can do, but not an invitation to seed the thread way off topic. I cannot avoid, 100% of the time, an instance where someone will not take what I have said in an incorrect manner.... as that seems to be the nature of such forums where the interaction of real person to person contact and inflection, lacks. Time spent on that could much better be spent if we can have volunteers step forward as we can assign plenty of tasks that need to be done. You or others who have an interest are welcome to join us if you can and are close enough to do so. Regards, R. Carillio Cleveland Storefront Art Thanks, and now back on topic of our regularly scheduled programming. ^ Oh, and thanks Doc. I know what a great help you have been. You were one of the ones who was essential in getting this off the ground. We can still use your fantastic cleaning efforts and may be able to get you in at more workable hours. Thank you for your support. We will contact you with opportunities.
December 19, 201014 yr That looks great. I'm glad this project is still going on, and I'd love to help out again as soon as my schedule opens up.
December 24, 201014 yr We will be needing some cleaning soon. I will keep the news posted on that. The Mona Lisa photo looks good...Thanks for that. Most of the photos of the project will be available on Flickr. The link is provided above. If anyone wants to take photos of any windows and post, like the one above, that is appreciated as well. We tried to get the windows done on E. 6th in the PNC space, however, we were informed from their HQ that they had intended on not occupying that space anymore. Sorry that cannot be a go for now, but it surely would have livened up a rather void space. :-(
December 29, 201014 yr Hello Out There, I've been working on our flickr group. So if you click on photos there's more info and "sets" of photos. We've got those great guys from Glass Bubble Project and more artists like Phyllis Bako and Carol Medhurst. I even did the New York Spaghetti House myself around Thanksgiving, alas the papers are already falling off from the cold and I must figure out a way to re-attach - ugh - but not this week. http://www.flickr.com/groups/clevelandstorefrontart/ I added some interesting photos under Hero Tomorrow's set when we installed it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50585068@N07/sets/72157625575227345/with/5055091167/ We'll be back in the swing mid-January. My partner Robert Carillio and I thank you for your continued support and interest. I understand that everyone is doing the best they can at the time. Let's enter 2011 with our chin held high and a helping hand to others. It makes you feel good. Happy New Year Joan Smith Cleveland Storefront Art Loving Cleveland One Storefront At A Time
January 13, 201114 yr :clap: Window dressing: Cleveland storefront art aims to brighten up landscape one window at a time Erin O'Brien Thursday, January 13, 2011 Arts and Culture, Philanthropy Civic booster Robert Carillio is quick to silence locals who denigrate his fair city, but walking down Prospect or Euclid Avenue can be a dismal trek for even the most devoted Clevelander. And nowhere is the evidence of the region's economic hits to the chin stronger than along these historic thoroughfares. Pedestrians hunker into their overcoats against the driving January wind, passing a glum parade of signs quietly announcing "Available" and "For Lease." They pay little attention to the dingy windows and murky interiors, the white shoe polish and plywood facings. That may be how this movie begins, but Robert Carillio and Joan Smith aim to change how it ends. They are the dynamic duo behind Cleveland Storefront Art, a small but mighty collaborative that has already begun rewriting the script. By filling the windows of vacant downtown storefronts with works of visual art, the pair is crafting a brighter landscape. Smith, who had left a job last spring, was looking to "do something positive." She soon found herself stepping into the role of Storefront co-founder Vicky Poole, who dropped out of the project to tend other obligations. Considering Smith's personal pet peeve was empty storefronts, it was an ideal fit to say the least. http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/storefrontart011311.aspx
January 14, 201114 yr Murray Hill, thank you for posting the Freshwater article. They really make an effort to put a positive spin on everything, I've enjoyed reading their weekly for months. I'd also like to include this link: Ted Sikora compiled the newscasts from the Hero Tomorrow/Apama installation. Nitey-nite, Joan
January 25, 201114 yr :wave: More to share: http://erin-obrien.blogspot.com/2011/01/window-dressing.html http://altohio.com/clevelands-own-superhero.htm
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