In Memoriam #1: Frank Green

 

by Cindy Penter

I met Frank Green in Connie May’s modern dance class in 1975 when he first attended Kent State University. Even there and then Frank was very instrumental in making things happen. He and his partner at the time, Lynette Welnicki (now Morrow) invited me into their group of fellow artists, dancers, and musicians. We organized and performed multi media events all during our years at KSU, even putting on art benefits for Town Hall II where Frank worked as an outreach drug counselor to teenagers and for the WomanSpace shelter for abused women. Frank always had a political understanding and sense of conscience. He began his many forays into spoken word at this time with pieces such as Arraignment and Marco Polo. His work was always edgy. He took several film classes while at Kent, notably producing the short experimental film, The Dark. When he went to NYC after college he continued to grow as an artist, often performing at the Nuyorican Café while working in the city’s best bookstores. While in the city, he acquired and later courageously licked a drug problem.

After returning to Cleveland in 1989, he took up residence in Tremont and began a long involvement with Cleveland Public Theatre and the Cleveland Performance Art Festival (where he produced Five Letters from Jane Bowles… for voices, ropes, and chains; The Scarlet Letter (of which a copy is housed at the Museum of Modern Art’s Artist Books repository in NYC); and Science Gets Serious, an extravaganza performance piece about blind photographer, Ted Serious in which Frank played all of three roles. He also produced pieces with SPACES, Brandt Gallery, and Cleveland State University locally, among others, gave readings frequently at the Literary Café, and performed his work nationally and internationally at such places as at the Banff Center for the Arts, Vancouver Arts Centre, at Franklin Furnace in NY, etc.

He appeared as Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde in renowned experimental filmmaker, Richard Myers’ film Monstershow in 1996. While practicing his art in Northeast Ohio, Frank made his living as a community activist and developer and writing art reviews and criticism for the Free Times, the Scene, Northern Ohio Live, and the national publication, The Advocate. Frank traveled to Europe in the early 2000s with his partner, Kevin- he was especially enamored of Prague.

A longtime artist and AIDS activist on issues involving health and gay rights, Frank finally developed AIDS after living nearly 2 decades with HIV Aids-free. Although his memory diminished after surviving a bout with cancer but not the treatment, his spirit never succumbed. He remained active in the arts community both as a spectator and a participant to the end of his days. His many artist and community friends will not forget him. Frank died of a stroke while living at Shaker Gardens Assisted Living on Wednesday January 23. He is survived by his family of six (?) brothers and sisters, and his father, who lives in Parma.

 

by Cindy Penter, a friend

The family are planning a service, at the Unitarian Church West and an afternoon or evening memorial will be held at the Beachland – both to happen at the end of February or beginning of March, when brother Jason can get home.

There will be an exhibit of Frank Green materials at the next Tremont Art Walk Fri 2/8 at the Tremont West Development Corp where Frank once worked.

Also read the remembrance by Cindy Barber here.

Also read the remembrance by Jordan Davis here.


Cleveland, OH 44110

Cleveland, OH 44113

 

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2 Responses to “In Memoriam #1: Frank Green”

  1. Jeon Francis

    Dear Cindy P, Cindy B, Jordan and Thom (Mulready),

    Many thanks to each of you for your wonderful insight into the man, performance artist, activist, and friend to many, known as Frank Green.

    His colorful and exuberant personality was always a joy to be around and definitely added a special flavor to our arts community. May his spirit live on throughout Cleveland and continue to inspire & ignite the creative work of artists for years to come.

    Rest in peace Frank. With love and gratitude.

  2. Deborah Culmer

    Thank you, Cindy, I hope you get this note. I performed Arraignment and Marco Polo with Frank at Nuyorican Café. I have a photo of us performing it. If you wish to contact me, feel free. Frank, Amy Burt, and Julie (whose last name I’ve forgotten, composer and violist) hung out together for a couple of years 1982-83 in NYC.

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