In its 8 ½ years, the Cleveland Print Room has served as a hub for the photography community, bringing together everyone from high school students to some of the area’s veteran big-name shooters. Using the model the Zygote Press pioneered in the Cleveland area back in the 90s, CPR offers classes & workshops, a dark room for community use and a gallery that has displayed work of both local and internationally known photographers. It has encouraged photographers and those interested in photography to explore both digital and film, as well as antique processes.
The Cleveland Print Room was founded by Shari Wilkins, herself a photographer and daughter of a photographer father, whose work has been shown in the gallery. In 2017, artist/education/arts promoter Kerry Davis moved to Cleveland from his native rural Missouri to join CPR. Described as an “out loud” individual, Kerry brought his energy, sparkle, passion and expansive personality to town.
The Cleveland Print Room has now announced that Wilkins, who as been serving as CPR’s executive director, will share leadership with Davis. She will be known as the strategic director; his title is creative director.
“We originally pitched the idea to the board of directors as we looked at succession planning,” Wilkins explains. “Kerry and I have worked together closely since 2017 and it made sense to us to examine the possibility of co-leadership. With different skill sets that complement each other, we look forward to a thoughtful investigation of the possibilities.”
“Since its inception, CPR has been committed to finding ways to best support artists and community members who seek to experiment with their photographic practices,” they tell us. “Recently, the team has identified the need to expand the work of the organization. In doing so, it has been crucial to investigate and discover the kind of leadership required for this work in the future and, more importantly, right now. Through an extensive process with equity leadership and organizational consultant M. Carmen Lane of MC Lane Consulting, Davis and Wilkins have committed to leading the Cleveland Print Room in an equitable partnership.”
“I am most excited about exploring the possibilities ahead for CPR,” says Davis. “I believe very strongly in the value of a clear vision to guide beyond any perceived limitations or challenges. This is the natural evolution of a healthy working relationship. The value of two at the helm, for this moment in the life of CPR, is without question inestimable.”
Find out more about the Cleveland Print Room at clevelandprintroom.com.