Cleveland Institute of Art Printmaking associate professor Maggie Denk-Leigh, right, works with student Noor Esakalli in CIA’s Printmaking studio. Photo by Jeff Forman / Cleveland Institute of Art. | |
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When Maggie Denk-Leigh approaches a project, she comes armed with curiosity. The 50-year-old printmaker and Cleveland Institute of Art professor delves in by asking questions and finding meaning both within herself and how it relates to the greater world.
Just as she would cut away layers in a relief carving to discover the image, she contemplates topics and questions until she peels away the message she wishes to impart to the viewer.
“You are visually articulating things that you have seen or want to see so that others can try to understand them better, and help them articulate what they are feeling or seeing in the world,” she says. “That’s the role of the artist.”
In this way, she’s able to bring subjects such as intimate acts of violence, environmental impact and veterans’ stories to the attention of those experiencing her art. Her work can be seen in the collection of the Heights Arts gallery in Cleveland Heights. She’ll also be in the 2024 Faculty Exhibition at the Cleveland Institute of Art, opening Aug. 29, and in a group show at the Fawick Art Gallery at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, opening Oct. 14.
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convergence-continuum
WHAT: Tweener Series” “Songs Without Words”
WHEN: Aug. 29-31
WHERE: Liminis Theater, 2438 Scranton Road, Cleveland
INFO: More info and tickets here
You may have heard of the great composer F. Mendelssohn. You may not have heard that there were two. Equally talented siblings, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, were each other’s chief supporters and best friends. But under the constraints of an unforgiving world, there was only room for one to be great. “Songs Without Words” – written and performed by Jennifer Vosters and directed by Michael Cotey at convergence-continuum – is the funny, tragic and heartfelt story of one artistic soul inhabiting two very different artists. Featuring a solo actor’s performance as both Fanny and Felix, “Songs Without Words” wrestles with enduring questions of gender and genius, family and fame, siblinghood and the power of art.
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Left: "do i make you nervous baby?" (2023) by Jazzee Rozier. Right: "Untitled" (2024) by Juniel Solis will be part of "Everywhere, All at Once," a group exhibition organized by James Schaffer. | |
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LGBT Community Center
WHAT: Two Cleveland Institute of Art student shows
WHEN: Opening reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30. On view through Sept. 27.
WHERE: LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, 6705 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
INFO: More info here and here.
Jazzee Rozier and James Schaffer, seniors in drawing and painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art, present their concurrent exhibitions at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Rozier’s debut solo show, “Sing About Lesbians, I’m Dying of Thirst,” features a series of works that demonstrate the modern-day Black lesbian and what it means to exist as one in its entirety – including notions of gender norms, identity, politics and sexual exploration. “Everywhere, All at Once,” a group exhibition organized by Schaffer, features pieces from more than 25 transgender artists. This expansive collection of work amplifies the voices of trans people and shows off a wide range of experiences, identities and perspectives.
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“Running On Sand.” Photo courtesy of Mandel JCC.
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Cleveland Jewish FilmFest
WHAT: Mandel Jewish Community Center’s Cleveland Jewish FilmFest
WHEN: Sept. 5-15
WHERE: Northeast Ohio theaters
INFO: More info, schedule and tickets here
The Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood presents the annual Cleveland Jewish FilmFest, which is celebrating its 18th year. The fest brings international Jewish and Jewish-themed cinema to Greater Cleveland to educate and entertain teen and adult audiences. The FilmFest will feature 27 films from nine countries over 11 days, showcasing a mixture of documentary, feature, comedy and short films. A television series and several films also will be available for streaming at home.
Opening night will be held at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, featuring a lighthearted drama, “Running on Sand.” The film was nominated for the Israeli Academy Award for Best Film. The evening will include a pre-movie, invite-only Insider Party and post-movie dessert reception. Films will also be screened at the Cedar Lee Theatre, Cinematheque at the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Maltz Museum.
Read more about the Cleveland Jewish FilmFest from the Cleveland Jewish News here.
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Cleveland Photo Fest
WHAT: Cleveland Photo Fest
WHEN: Opening from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 6, with live music performed by the New Sons of Erie at 7 p.m. On view through Sept. 29.
WHERE: Bostwick Design Art Initiative, 2731 Prospect Road, Cleveland
INFO: Free. More info and events here.
The Cleveland Photo Fest presents its fifth annual photography exhibition. It will include a black and white portrait exhibition of 60 Cuyahoga County mayors and civic officials, photographed by 30 local photographers. The fest will also include exhibitions of a “Cat Show" (national submissions), 40 women’s self portraits (local submissions), the fashion photography of Clevelander Arlene Pachasa, Canadian/Clevelander Daniel Hertel-Cournoyer’s unique “EXTRUSIONS,” Cleveland middle schoolers’ selfies and their pets, and the annual volunteers’ exhibitions.
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Dennis Savage “Guardian Series #1,” photographic print. Courtesy of Artists Archives. | |
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Artists Archives of the Western Reserve
WHAT: “The Beauty and Influence of Appalachia” exhibit
WHEN: Opening reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6. On view through Nov. 2.
WHERE: Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, 1834 E. 123rd St., Cleveland
INFO: More info here
The Artists Archives of the Western Reserve welcomes autumn with a survey exhibition of artists working in a variety of media from throughout the Appalachian Region. “The Beauty and Influence of Appalachia” is curated by artist Lisa Kenion for the Artists Archives. A campus-wide opening reception will be held on Sept. 6, in partnership with The Sculpture Center which will open two exhibitions: “Bun Stout: The Dream Continues” and “Billy Ritter: Record of Process & Modern Artifacts.” There will be a live music performance at AAWR during the opening reception, featuring Joe Thrift and Mark Olitsky.
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Cleveland Play House
WHAT: “Pride and Prejudice”
WHEN: Sept. 7-29
WHERE: Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
INFO: Tickets and info here
Jane Austen’s beloved work will be brought to life at Cleveland Play House this September. The outspoken and fiercely independent Elizabeth Bennet is determined to remain single, despite mounting pressure from her hovering and meddlesome mother. How will she be able to resist love in Regency-era society, even from the amusing, handsome and somewhat aggravating Mr. Darcy? This classic English love story is a hilarious modern romcom that celebrates the thrills of finding your perfectly imperfect match.
Read a profile of Madalyn Baker, who will perform in the ensemble of “Pride and Prejudice,” in the Fall 2024 stages issue of Canvas.
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Photo courtesy of Berea Arts Fest | |
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Berea Arts Fest
WHAT: Berea Arts Fest
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8
WHERE: Front Street in Berea
INFO: Free. More info here.
The 34th annual Berea Arts Fest is set to transform Front Street into a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. The event will feature over 150 artists and commercial booths, captivating live performances, engaging kids' activities and a diverse array of food trucks. From fine art to family-friendly activities, there's something to inspire every visitor.
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News from CanvasCLE.com and its partners | | |
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Broadway stars come home to help Stagecrafters celebrate 50 years
The celebration of Stagecrafters Youth Theatre’s 50th anniversary fundraiser on Aug. 19 at KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland was a “pinch me moment” for Adam Miller. The event co-chair and Stagecrafters alumni was not only “thrilled with the success of the event and support of the community,” but also that his four daughters and cousin, Stagecrafters Broadway alum Ben Fankhauser, were in the production, he told the Cleveland Jewish News ahead of the event, titled “Broadway Comes Home: Celebrating 50 Years of Stagecrafters.” Read more
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This public art is two murals by Meredith Hahn-Petrovic on the CLE Landscaping building at 1485 Warrensville Center Road in South Euclid.
Thank you, Meredith, for sharing your art with us!
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In every issue of this newsletter, we'll feature public artwork from somewhere in Northeast Ohio (or beyond!). Send us your photos of public art, and please include the artist, title and location. Reply or email editor@canvascle.com, and we'll send you a Canvas prize pack if we use your image in a Canvas newsletter. | |
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IN PRINT
Read the digital edition of the latest issue of Canvas
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Canvas is a periodical supplement to the Cleveland Jewish News and Akron Jewish News, and published by the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company. | | | | |
