Expect to hear a lot more from Graffit HeArt, the Cleveland-based nonprofit, that provides opportunities for street-style artists, in coming months and years.
Founded by Stamy Paul more than ten years ago, based on her passion for the art, the organization has made quite an impact in 13 years, despite Stamy serving as its president and driving force while working a day job that was partially out of town. Despite that, the all-volunteer organization acquired a building at the corner of Superior and East 49th (you can’t miss it; it’s rainbow painted) that includes a gallery space, held events, awarded scholarship, connected artists with paying work, and brought some of the legends of graffiti and mural art to northeast Ohio to share their skills.
Now Stamy is retired, and the organization has hired its first fulltime staff member, Valerie Schumacher, as its deputy director and director of creative programs. Shumacher has 20 years of experience in the arts and cultural sector with Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) and Assembly for the Arts. And she’s already been around Graffiti HeArt for the last year as a consultant, helping to activate the space more, access more funding opportunities and develop the organization’s strategic plan for its future. In the last year, it’s held more events and gallery shows, and started to do monthly art-making get-togethers, and it has plans in the works for a lot more activities. Stay in touch with them HERE.