Fri 12/13 @ 6pm
The best things happen in this town when our creative, industrious citizens and our community-conscious, local businesses come together to collaborate on something special for each other and the city as a whole. This weekend’s Dayglo2: Show Your Colors is a perfect example of this.
For the second time in a year, Cleveland’s own DayGlo Color Corporation has provided local artists with a full spectrum of their fluorescent paints – completely free of charge. This year’s event features approximately 50 local artists, making it one of the largest art events of the year.
Additionally, Tremont’s Doubting Thomas Gallery will be lit exclusively with ultraviolet (black) light, and a “People’s Choice” $500 prize will be awarded at the opening reception. Throughout the evening (6-10pm), visitors will be asked to vote for their favorite work. The artist with the most votes wins.
This show is curated for the second time by local artist John Saile. In a truly democratic decision, he offered paint to local artists on a first-come, first-served basis. The show features DT regulars, established regional artists and relatively unknown newcomers. (In the name of full disclosure, I’m one of the participating artists again this year.) With all the artists making new work for the show, no one is quite sure what to expect. However, Saile and gallery owner Dr. Theresa Boyd are confident that this show will be as successful, if not more so, than last year’s.
“When I studied under Peter Wells at Cleveland State University, Peter encouraged his students to explore an enormous variety of media,” explains Saile. “And so, I discovered DayGlo paint. Two years ago, Dr. Theresa gave me an opportunity to show my work. I had been painting with DayGlo for a while and decided to show my DayGlo pieces in a blacklight environment at Doubting Thomas.
“My show prompted Dr. Theresa to ask me to curate a group show that would encourage the prominent use of DayGlo flourescent colors,” he continues. “I turned to DayGlo Color Corporation for a significant donation of paint and made a call to artists for a December 2012 show. Now in the second year, fifty artists have created works that embrace the use of DayGlo paint.
“The gallery will display this work entirely in blacklight. Dr. Theresa is an amazing booster for the arts in our town. It is through her continuing generosity and encouragement that many artists in Cleveland have had the opportunity to display their work in a gallery setting.”
DayGlo isn’t a new media in art. The company dates back to the 1930s and the paint has roots in early Pop Art — thanks in large part to Andy Warhol’s commercial art background. DayGlo, Doubting Thomas, Saile and the participating artists have teamed up to create an event that celebrates the collaborative nature of Cleveland.
Collectively, we work pretty well together, and we all benefit when we do. This is an art exhibition for Cleveland, by Cleveland. Hopefully this serves as a model for more collaborations in the future between the community and its businesses.
The opening reception takes place during this month’s Tremont Art Walk. While you’re exploring Tremont, be sure to stop by Brandt Gallery to see Dana Depew’s Small Works – all priced at $100 or less, as well as the annual Brewhaha. See their website for a full lineup of the evening’s events. Don’t miss it!
Participating artists include John Arndt, Harriet Moore Ballard, Chelsie Barile, Ross Bochnek, Dr. Theresa Boyd, Barbara Brodnik, Judy Campbell, Anneli Curnock, Natalia Dale, Joan of Art (Deveney), Laureen Deveney, Kimberly Engle, Tony Funk, Michael Greenwald, Jacci Hammer, Nina Huryn, James Jenkins, Ava & Maria Lonneman, Michelangelo Lovelace, Shawn Mishak, Billy Naninger, Eric Ortiz, Dimitra Pasalis, Bob Peck, Melinda Plack, Sophie Poitevien, Jane Reynolds, John Saile, Gino Scarcelli, Roger Schwachenwald, Melissa Schwachenwald, Tony Serna, Jack Smiley, Carina Smith, Jim Sonnhalter, Kathy Sonnhalter, Rachel Strongoli, Gina Swor, Nancy Tomazic, Jeremy Tomkins, Nina Pico Train, Josh Usmani, Douglas Max Utter, Shepherd Weita, Tommy White, Bessie Young, Norbert Ziebold, Evie Zimmer and more!
[Images from last year’s DayGlo Show at Doubting Thomas. Artwork, from top, by Joan of Art, John Saile, Douglas Max Utter, and Omid Tavakoli]
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.