Thu 6/2 @ 6:30PM
If over-thought conceptual art with wordy wall cards full of art jargon is on your last nerve, exploring the world of so-called “outsider art” could be an antidote. Produced by individuals who probably couldn’t even name in art school, let alone attended one, it’s the province of people producing untrained work to express a strong worldview, often guided by spiritual beliefs or even mental illness. Many of these artists have become widely exhibited and much collected.
Cleveland has its own such outsider legend in the Rev. Albert Wagner (1924-2006). He moved to Cleveland from Arkansas in 1941 and began painting in 1974 at the age of 50 after having a revelation. A highly prolific artist known for endlessly revising his work, sometimes even after he sold a piece, he worked in obscurity in East Cleveland until he was “discovered” by local art enthusiasts in the 90s, who helped make him known to a national audience. He landed write-ups in publications such as the New York Times and the Chicago Reader.
Following his death, there were plans to make his former home & studio in East Cleveland into a museum and tribute to his work. But the home decayed during the pandemic and was eventually condemned by the city. So museum co-founder, Wagner’s daughter Bonita Wagner Johnson, and gallerist/arts administrator Alenka Banco Glazen, started looking at alternative plans. And now they’ve found one and are moving ahead.
The museum will be located in a 4,300 square foot commercial building on Aspinall Avenue near east 152nd street in Collinwood, owned by Alenka and her husband Alan Glazen.
“I asked my husband, Alan Glazen if we want to have an impact now or after we are gone?,” she says. “I just blurted out that we should donate our building to the museum. It has new electric, heating, cooling, security system and roof. It’s turn-key!”
The property includes room for a parking lot, additions and a garage that can be converted into another gallery space to feature the work of other self-taught artists. Plans include executive offices, storage, a coffee shop, a museum gift shop and outdoor sculpture. The Glazens will also be leading a fundraising campaign for an endowment fund.
Currently, the projected opening date is September 1, 2023, the anniversary of Wagner’s death. To learn more about Wagner and the Wagner Museum project go to wagnermuseum.org.
You can also come to the Beachland Ballroom on Thu 6/2 @ 6:30pm for a free screening of the 2008 movie, One Bad Cat: The Albert Wagner Story. Registration is required, and donations are appreciated!
