Plain Press

  • 2024 St. Patrick’s Day parade (photos)

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, March 17, 2024; St. Colman Church, 2057 W. 65th Street: Girls from the West Side Irish American Club emerge from the church after mass, ready to go downtown to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Sunday, March 17, 2024; St. Colman Church, 2057 W. 65th…

    plainpress

  • More chaos and unanswered questions at CAC Board meeting

    by Bruce Checefsky             (Plain Press March 2024) The dysfunction and chaos continued at the most recent board meeting of the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), the organization tasked with collecting the cigarette tax and distributing funding to arts organizations and artists. Having alienated the very arts community they are required to support, the CAC’s…

    plainpress

  • Questions remain about Assembly for the Arts funding

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press February 2024) Jeremy Johnson was hired as president and chief executive officer of Assembly for the Arts in 2021. Formerly executive director of Newark Arts, he grew up in the Hough and Glenville neighborhoods and attended University School on a scholarship before heading to college. His hiring was considered…

    plainpress

  • Dance Evert, CMSD debut innovative arts program

    PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERT EDUCATION Students demonstrate triangles, and are perfecting their polygons using stretchy body bands, during “Geometry in Motion” Program. by Jennifer Morrison-Garza      (Plain Press February 2024)Tom Evert of DANCE EVERT and Evert Education is partnering with Cleveland Municipal School District’s Clara E. Westropp School of the Arts, through an Artist in…

    plainpress

  • Ward 13 Councilman Kris Harsh and the Greater Cleveland Film Commission

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press February 2024) Cleveland City Councilman Kris Harsh, representing Ward 13, which includes Old Brooklyn, hosts a community meeting on the second Wednesday of every month. January was his 24th consecutive ward meeting. Harsh regularly invites guests to talk about current events in Cleveland and information on the various city…

    plainpress

  • Embattled Cuyahoga Arts and Culture’s board meeting triggers increased criticism from artists

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press January 2024) An embattled Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC) Board met for the last time in 2023 to approve 2024 grants to artists and review staff salaries. The chaotic meeting set off increased criticism from artists and members of the public in attendance and prompted an apology of sorts…

    plainpress

  • Chaotic Cuyahoga Arts and Culture board meeting sheds little light on its operations

    by Bruce Checefsky      (Plain Press December 2023) Chaos broke out during the quarterly board meeting of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) on Wednesday, November 15, taking place at the Cleveland Public Library downtown.      At the beginning of the meeting, three speakers gave presentations of support for CAC during public comments. Dobama Theatre Artistic…

    plainpress

  • New mural completed near the Lorain Ave. exit of I-90

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Thursday, October 12, 2023; 8004 Lorain Avenue: This Destination Cleveland Mural by artist Lisa Quine of Hudson, Ohio is across Lorain Avenue from the westbound I-90 Lorain Avenue exit. The mural says, “The Land where anything is possible.” Northwest Neighbors offers thanks to the building’s owners and Destination Cleveland for accepting…

    plainpress

  • Mural at St. Paul’s honors community members for their efforts to build a caring community

    PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN Saturday, August 26, 2023; Neighborhood Mural Dedication, St. Paul’s Community Church, 4427 Franklin Boulevard: The neighborhood mural honors peacemakers and prophets that have contributed to the community. Molly Carreon, one of those pictured in the mural, spoke of the example her parents set for her and how she became involved in…

    plainpress

  • Living the good life with Chuck Delpapa

    PHOTO BY ERIK AULT Friday, September 22, 2023; Artist Charles “Chuck” Delpapa displaying art in his studio at the Tin Shop Gallery in Ohio City; Chuck paints in the basement of his historic Ohio City home, where he lives with his wife Bea. The pair, with their son Tim, regularly host friends and family for…

    plainpress