The Cleveland Institute of Art’s “Lunch on Fridays” (LOF) provides a nexus point between the Institute’s internal  community and the general public. An ongoing series, LOF programming includes talks, performances, and other events  originating from CIA faculty, alums, visiting artists, and scholars. As a venue, it allows creative thinking and work to be  shared broadly. Jointly sponsored by CIA’s Liberal Arts and Foundation Departments, its events are  always free and  open to the public. Talks happen every Friday during the semester at 12:15pm in CIA’s Gund building—offering a  set  time and place where you can feed your head while munching on free pizza or your own brown bag lunch.

This year the Fall LOF schedule will have an international flavor. The series kicks off on Friday, September 7, with an  opportunity to hear a conversation between Brazilian Artist Henrique Oliveira and MOCA Cleveland’s Chief Curator  David Norr. A painter, sculptor and installation artist, Oliveira’s work will be featured as part of MOCA Cleveland’s  inaugural exhibition Inside Out and From the Ground Up, showcasing MOCA’s newly designed building. Oliveira has  made a name for himself creating works that expand the scope of painting beyond its traditional bounds. His large-scale  installations literally break through walls, expanding and bulging into the viewer’s space. Neither the wall nor even the  space can contain them. Other speakers on the LOF schedule include the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion artists  Guillermo Trejo from Mexico, (sponsored by Young Audiences); and Ivan Andres Lecaro Correa, of Chile (sponsored by  Zygote Press); the documentary photographer, Case faculty member and tech guru Jared Bendis with a report on his  recent trip to Turkey; Dresden, Germany artists-in-residence at Zygote Tina Wohlfarth and Heike Wadewitz; and South  African/ Canadian artist Belinda Haikes.

On October 12, Liz Maugans, cofounder and Managing Director of Zygote, will present on her life and career as an artist  and art advocate. A dynamic leader of Cleveland’s rich print and paper scene, Maugans has long been a pioneer in  establishing Cleveland-based residency programs as well as helping to create opportunities for local artists. This energy  and commitment to the community is balanced by her commitment to her own practice. In addition to her work with  Zygote, Maugans has built a reputation as a skilled and conceptually provocative artist in her own right.

In addition on Friday, November 9, former CIA faculty and Painting Program Chair, Julie Langsam, returns to Cleveland  to discuss her career and work. Currently teaching at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers, Langsam offers a unique  perspective on the Utopian ideals offered by the promise of Modernity.

The fall schedule runs from September 7 to November 30. Full details are available on CIA’s website, cia.edu.