Founded during America’s westward push in the late eighteenth century, Cleveland has traced the classic trajectory of American cities. A trading outpost, Cleveland ascended during the Industrial Revolution, playing host to John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company, and General Electric’s Nela Park. The city’s rise was epitomized by development of the 52-story Terminal Tower—for decades, the tallest building anywhere outside New York.

But slowing industrial growth triggered decline, and in 1969, a burning oil slick on the Cuyahoga River providing a less vibrant symbol that would indelibly mark the city. Worthington Yards is a living lesson in Cleveland’s rise, decline and reawakening today. Founded to equip workers constructing the Ohio and Erie Canal, the George Worthington Company grew to supply 1,500 hardware stores. The company’s eventual decline paved the way for the redevelopment of its headquarters into a vibrant apartment building and our own YARDS Project Space, together offering the perfect 360-degree view of a creative vision that is also shaping Cleveland. There is no better space in the city to take in these views and vistas than from our own (FRONT) yard.

Tim Callaghan, Hilary Gent, Sarah Paul and Darius Steward each apply a keen power of observation to reveal the authentic people, places and neighborhoods that comprise Cleveland. As FRONT International (and the CAN Triennial) takes shape this summer around the theme “An American City,” these Cleveland-based artists capture through their own street-level lens, a familiarity, pride, humor and perspective, the essence of what is essentially Cleveland.

Each of these artists contributes to the Cleveland arts community and supports future generations of artists as full-time teachers, professors, community-engaged artists and advocates, while remaining fiercely dedicated to their own studio practices. Cleveland Front and Seen profiles their collective response and reaction to this American City with a BE HERE NOW attitude, shared during one of the most exciting cultural times our city has ever SEEN.

 

CLEVELAND FRONT AND SEEN: TIMOTHY CALLAGHAN, HILARY GENT & DARIUS STEWARD, WITH FILMS OF LITTLE MISS CLEVELAND BY SARAH PAUL | JUNE 28 –AUGUST 31

Reception 6–9PM Thursday, June 28

ART BAR | 6–8 PM JULY 19

Discussion with Tim Callaghan, Hilary Gent, Sarah Paul & Darius Steward

SUMMER IN THE YARD: PLEIN AIR PARTY | NOON–3PM SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Artists draw and paint LIVE in the yard. Join Hilary Gent, Darius Steward, Jamie Morse, Dawn Tekler, Eileen Dorsey, Sarah Curry, David King and other fantastic Cleveland plein air artists creating work from the views and vistas of Worthington Yards. Sangrias, and hotdogs on the grill.

YARDS Project Space

725 Johnson Court

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

yardsproject.com