A new type of canvas is coming to Cleveland!  Inspired by a similar project in Columbus, Rooms to Let: Cleveland  (RTL) will create a temporary art exhibition using vacant homes as a truly interpretational, opportune art medium. 

The curators, Westleigh Harper and Michael Horton of MAKER design studio (makeroffice.com), Barbara Bachtell, Director of Broadway School of Music & the Arts (broadwayschool.org)  and visual artist,  Scott Pickering, (scottpickering.carbonmade.com, a graphic designer and multimedia artist (all living or working in Slavic Village) will select artists interested in creating transformations of spaces in abandoned and foreclosed homes. 

One of three Slavic Village houses slated for re-interpretation as part of SVDC’s Rooms To Let

Led by Slavic Village Development (slavicvillage.org)  in conjunction with Rooms to Let: Columbus roomstolettemporaryartspace.com) and Zygote Press (zygotepress.org),Rooms to Let: Cleveland promises to activate and reframe the conversation from emptiness and dormancy to new propositions for engagement and expression. The event will be held on May 17^th with a day-long neighborhood block party and street tour, free and open to the public.  The project will include interactive activities for all ages, live music and porch concerts throughout the day. This project is supported by a Cuyahoga Arts and Culture project support grant.

Given the larger context of Slavic Village’s unique history and the national attention received in the wake of the American foreclosure crisis, Rooms to Let: Cleveland creates an opportunity to see one of Cleveland’s most historic neighborhoods in new light. Rooms to Let inverts those icons often associated with neighborhood blight or despair into new experiential propositions of witness, resiliency, and contemplation. 

For more RTL information or interest in participating, visit roomstoletcle.org, or contact Ben Campbell of Slavic Village Development by calling 216.429.1182, ext. 105, or email ben@slavicvillage.org.