VIDEO: Come One, Come All to The Greatest Show on Earth!
A Sneak Peek into this “Circus” @ doubting thomas Gallery
Come big, come small, come one and all, “better than any mall!” The “Circus” has arrived at doubting thomas Gallery in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. This circus-themed, interactive art show will have audiences feeling as though they stepped right under the tent to see the grand and spectacular circus unfolding in front of them. During the opening night festivities, Fri 10/14 from 6 to 9PM, there will be live entertainment and music, artwork that the public can touch and play with, and everyone is invited to dress up in their circus best. Mascot doll, Laughing Sally, will be “leading” the parade on her blue elephant to kick off the show.
Laureen Deveney, curator and Ringleader of this “Circus,” has invited artists young and old to share their work at the doubting thomas. Some of these will include Cleveland’s Patsy Kline and her Ü Hall Gallery, Kathleen Sonnhalter’s installation of an inverted circus, the Watercolorist Burt Dennis, Yvonne Bakale’s “Circus Act” (pictured), Nerves of Steel, Show Girl outfits by “Stephanie’s Elegant Touch,” and plenty more. There will also be souvenirs created by Diane Collins and Maria Winiarski for purchase, as well as treats for the kids including cotton candy and animal balloons. Most of the artists will be at the gallery on opening night for the public to meet.
The mastermind behind this “Greatest Show,” Laureen Deveney was inspired by none other than animal crackers. Ever since she was a young child, she was intrigued by art, but she finally got her foot in the door in 1997 when she worked on Parade the Circle at the Cleveland Museum of Art. She has a BA in Studio Art from Cleveland State University, and a degree in Art Education. Since 2000, Laureen has curated some of her own gallery shows at doubting thomas Gallery. These include her “Walk across America,” where dirt was collected from each state and formed into a recognizable U.S.A. map for people to literally walk across, “Katrina”- art fashioned to make one feel as if they are submerged with floating plastic around them, and her “Garage Sale” where community members were invited to create art out of their findings in her garage and put it on display at the gallery.
Her inspiration for “The Circus” came from the Barnum’s animal cracker box. The idea of holding a circus in your hands, and the story behind how that circus came to be had always intrigued her. The history of the circus fascinated Laureen, especially the sideshows, or “freak shows,” as they were known. She has wanted to bring the circus to life in art for some time now and finally seized the opportunity to put on this “Greatest Show on Earth!” opening Fri 10/14 from 6 – 11PM at doubting thomas Gallery at 856 Jefferson Ave in Tremont.
This big top show opens during the Tremont ArtWalk, an evening of walking the neighborhood and enjoying the many different art galleries and restaurants in this happening neighborhood. So, come and make a night of it.
Click here to view the exclusive video.
Don’t miss the live entertainment during the opening night reception on Fri 10/14 from 6-11PM at doubting thomas Gallery, 856 Jefferson St in Cleveland. Regular gallery hours are Fri & Sat night from 5-9PM, through Sat 10/29 or by appointment. For more information on the Tremont ArtWalk, visit TremontArtWalk.org. For more information on The “Circus” @ doubting thomas Gallery, please contact Laureen Deveney at 216-731-1813 or by email at edmonia@hotmail.com.
Sarah Burdette is currently a student at the University of Akron majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Business. She is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Society of Leadership and Success, where she hopes to utilize the guidance given to build a better future. She grew up and resides in Cuyahoga Falls.