Sun 1/26 @ 2pm
By Josh Usmani
There is a palpable sense of civic pride radiating from Northeast Ohio. While things certainly aren’t perfect, the hard work of passionate, talented and dedicated people and institutions across the region is clearly starting to pay off.
At the heart of our community is (and pretty much always has been) University Circle.
From landmark, world-class cultural institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Hall to new residents like Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as elite universities, medical facilities and so much more, this corner of the east side, located just miles from downtown Cleveland, is the long-established crown jewel of Cleveland. But how much do you really know about its history?
It has been said that we can’t see where we’re heading if we don’t know from where we came. In recent decades, Cleveland struggled to create a public identity. One could argue that we’re still collectively “discovering ourselves,” but it’s obvious that our history is a critical component in our future.
Still, many residents (both new transplants and natives) are relatively unfamiliar with our city’s history. Most people know the story starts with a guy named Moses Cleaveland…after that it gets a little fuzzy.
Well, that’s all about to change thanks to the efforts of Clevelanders Nina Gibans and Jesse Epstein. With Gibans’ background in education and Epstein’s work as a filmmaker, the two have been working on an educational and entertaining documentary on University Circle (and its residents) for over 5 years. Funds were generated through both traditional fundraising techniques and Kickstarter. The film has been screened at a number of local screenings to very positive reactions.
This Sunday afternoon, University Circle: Creating a Sense of Place will premiere on WVIZ PBS. To celebrate this premiere, some local businesses will be showing the film on their TVs. While the filmmakers encourage you to watch the premiere wherever/however you’re most comfortable, Dewey’s Coffee House and Gathering Place in Shaker Square will give you a free bag of popcorn if you watch it with them. This is a film about our community, so why not watch it with your neighbors?
“Since the intent of this 80 minute film is COMMUNITY info, anyone who has stepped a foot in the Circle, been to a WOW Wednesday, been to a class, listened to music there, paraded the circle there, [or have] been on the board or staff of an institution could be interested,” explains Nina Gibans. “Any individual, family or institution with a TV set should make popcorn, gather friends and turn it on — bars, restaurants, etc. One can even enjoy it solo. Whatever your inclination, wherever you are, enjoy this program on WVIZ. You won’t be disappointed.”
The film was designed as an educational tool for the area’s 13,000 highs school and college students, 37,000 institutional employees and 3,000,000+ annual visitors. The documentary is supplemented by 18 hours of archival material available for research at Cleveland State University’s Public History and Digital Humanities Institute, Teachable Moments, two video walking tours, special interviews with Peter B. Lewis, Robert Gries and John Nottingham and more.
The film is a comprehensive history of the land and people – starting with prehistoric glaciers shaping the landscape physically and leading up to today. Creating a Sense of Place is a gift to the city and its people. On Sunday, we have an opportunity to discover how we got here, reflect on where we are and work together to get where we’re going.
Sunday’s premiere offers an opportunity for Northeast Ohioans to share a transcendental experience. Don’t miss it!
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.