Opening Fri 3/15 @ 6pm
Closing Fri 4/19 @ 6pm
By Josh Usmani
Typically, viewers experience art after it’s created.
But 6 in Studio is different. This exhibition, opening Fri 3/15 at the Cleveland West Art League (CWAL) as part of 78th Street Studios’ monthly Third Friday event, allows visitors to witness each artist’s individual creative process. But not only that — it also allows the artists to work in a creative, collaborative atmosphere.
This unique, 2nd annual exhibition is curated by Cleveland State University’s Gallery Director Robert Thurmer. For this exhibition, Thurmer selected six artists to share the gallery for a month as a common workspace. This year’s six artists are Mallorie Freeman, Stephanie Maniaci, Eileen Matias, Debra Purcell, Thom Rossino and Stephanie Streeter.
Each artist will meet every Sunday afternoon from 12-5pm at CWAL to work in this communal studio. This Friday is an open studio night for the public to experience this creative environment as the artists get started.
On Fri 4/19 the public is invited back to experience a DIY exhibition of all work created during the month at CWAL. The show will be organized by the artists themselves with professional insight from Thurmer.
Robert Thurmer praised all the entries. He said his selection process was about more than selecting the six most talented artists.
“All of the work was worthy,” says Turmur. “CWAL and I wanted to create a studio dynamic. Without personally knowing the artists, their personality only came through in the work. I was concerned with productivity; not just aesthetics, but how does the work get produced. I looked for similarities and contrasts to juxtapose. Who would benefit from working with whom?”
With over 30 years of professional experience, Robert Thurmer is one of the most valuable assets to Cleveland’s art community. He has been the Gallery Director at CSU since 1990 where he has nurtured the young careers of many aspiring artists and museum professionals. He also serves on boards and committees at the Sculpture Center and Arts Collinwood.
Just this past year, he had a solo exhibition at Arts Collinwood, participated in CSU’s faculty exhibition at their new gallery at 1307 Euclid Ave. and curated an exhibition at Ingenuity Fest. He teaches Museum Studies, Drawing and Introduction to Two-Dimensional design at CSU. He is a resource, a well of knowledge, for young artists and museum professionals.
This unique experience allows the audience to interact with artists during the creative process. The exhibition will truly be unlike any other exhibition you’ll see in Cleveland. Don’t miss it!
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact cwartleague@gmail.com. Show runs 3/15 – 4/19/2013. Opening reception Fri 3/15 @ 6pm. Closing reception Fri 4/19 @ 6pm.
http://ClevelandWestArtLeague.com
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.