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NEWS Past Projects Lakewood is Art (LIA) is a nonprofit organization with volunteers dedicated to creating and fostering a dynamic local arts and culture environment in the City of Lakewood through partnerships, by providing funding, advocacy, creative and support services to Lakewood’s art organizations, artists, galleries and any other groups interested in promoting and supporting a collaborative arts community in Lakewood. 100% of all proceeds have gone directly to the organization we have benefited. Sip into the Holidays Friends of the Lakewood Commission on Aging teamed up with Artwood, aka Lakewood is Art, for the Third Annual Sip Into the Holidays Benefit at Local Girl Gallery on Saturday, December 5th. The purpose of the benefit was to raise funds and awareness for the many programs the Lakewood Division of Aging provides senior citizens in the community. The evening was highlighted by an auction of hand painted wine, martini, and champagne glasses. Sponsors this year included Kendall Jarrell of Nationwide Insurance of Lakewood, the Mars Bar, Massimo da Milano, Bob Vaughn-Barefoot Cellars and Tony Eadeh of Friendly Mini Mart. Proceeds: $1,500 - $2,500 annually Save Room for Dessert Lakewood is Art and Family Haven organized the First Annual “Save Room for Dessert” Fundraiser held at Local Girl Gallery, Lakewood on Valentine’s Day-Saturday, February 14, 2009. The evening was highlighted by an auction of hand painted dessert dishes designed by local artists and a dessert tasting soirée of hand sculpted delicious works of art by local pastry chefs, restaurants and bakeries. Proceeds benefited Family Haven, a non-profit organization providing services to people with developmental disabilities in Bay Village, Westlake, Lakewood and Strongsville. Family Haven is committed to enriching the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities through education, empowerment and community inclusion. The main objective of Fontbonne Home is to provide a loving, home-like atmosphere where adults with developmental disabilities can maximize their potential in the least restrictive environment. They are dedicated to the principal of enabling residents to live as typical and dignified lives as possible within the limitations of their disabilities. They should have access to all general community services that they can use in common with others. In addition, an effort is made to sensitize the public to the many attributes of persons with developmental disabilities. The residents of Family Haven also provided their own hand-painted dishes along with other local artists auctioned at the event. “We are thrilled about the collaboration between Local Girl Gallery and LIA not only in their support of our organization; but providing a vehicle for the residents of Family Haven to express themselves creatively. It perfectly aligns with our mission. ” Executive Director, Rachel Sielski. “The proceeds from this fundraiser will contribute greatly to the numerous programs offered to Westside communities by Family Haven” Assistant Executive Director, Mireille Kious, Sponsors included Lakewood is Art; Family Haven Board staff and resident artists; Linda Goik-owner of Local Girl Gallery; Massimo da Milanos, Lakewood Observer and celebrity auctioneer, Tim Clemens, from CCBMRDD. 2010 event is currently being planned. Proceeds: $2,000 Junk2Funk Charity Event The Junk2Funk Charity Auction hosted by Local Girl Gallery, GreenSmart Gifts, EcoLakewood and business and artists advocates, Lakewood is Art, benefited North Coast Health Ministry while touting the four R’s of life: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect during the City’s month long Earth Day celebration in April. Local Girl Gallery, Lakewood, was a fashion diva’s mecca on Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 7pm-10pm, during another of the City’s Green smART projects when designers auctioned off “new” chic sustainable fashions. For the Auction, Northeast Ohio fashion designers were asked to design one-of-a-kind fashions, anything from clothes to jewelry all made by recycled materials for the Auction. Respect and support for those without health insurance were sewn into each design, as every designer chose their supplies from discarded materials. The gorgeous pieces had their beginnings as discarded materials, but were transformed into elegant gowns, fun cocktail dresses, unique evening wraps and funky jewelry that anyone would be thrilled to own and wear. “Not only is our community leading the green movement but also it is incredibly rich in design talent and creative thinking. This exciting event sheds light on some serious topics in a very fun way,” Linda Goik owner of Local Girl Gallery The Gala Evening featured a “green” cocktail reception with wine provided by French Rabbit in eco-friendly packaging (for every four wines sold, one tree was planted), hors d’oeuvres from local green restaurants, compostable plates and cutlery; and organic, fair trade coffee from Family Haven-a local non-profit offering support for people with disabilities. For over 20 years, North Coast Health Ministry (NCHM) has been providing healthcare to uninsured people living on the west side. A faith-based free clinic, they are a bridge to better health for over 2,000 individuals who have no other place to go. With the support of dozens of volunteer physicians and nurses, as well as clerical volunteers, NCHM is able to provide primary health care, specialty referrals, prescription assistance, and health education to low-income individuals and families. Each year, the demand for their services grows. In addition to their medical role in the community, they work to make the population at large more aware of the problem facing our area’s residents living with no medical insurance. Their patients could be anyone, given certain circumstances. Proceeds: $1,500 Madison Avenue ArtWalks As our first project, Lakewood is Art teamed up with the Madison Avenue Merchants Association to form the first Madison Avenue ArtWalk in the fall of ’07. Seven additional ArtWalks have been enjoyed, through ’09, since the inception of event. Concept was to draw more foot traffic to Madison Avenue Merchants while highlighting the work of local artists. Every location on Madison, whether arts based or not, could host an artist for the event. Additional arts and cultural entertainment was added to sidewalks, empty parking lots etc.: bands, solo musicians, belly dancers, and poets. Participation included 35 to 48 merchants participating in each ArtWalk. This event was free for merchants to participate, including printing flyers, postcards and posters, which Lakewood is Art underwrote. Lakewood is Art also handled publicity of event. The Lakewood Observer was generous with “in-kind” donations of large advertisements to launch event and subsequently handed out issues, at walk, with ArtWalk maps. 2009 Band2gether: One World Music Series The first Band2gether ’08 concert series was created and developed by Lakewood is Art to highlight the extraordinary talent of middle and high school students; give a free venue to students during summer as well as bring our community into downtown Lakewood for live entertainment. Lakewood is Art collaborated with LakewoodAlive for funding and promotion as well as Vance Music Studios for their invaluable support. Lakewood is Art created One World Music in ’08 and added it to the program in ’09. Fourteen youth rock bands and four world bands, including a Latin Band, Irish Band, Reggae and Middle Eastern music entertained the community in Sinagra Park on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. in July and August ‘09. Audience members joined in the community exuberance of the shared musical experience. The series was free and open to the public. The concert series was made possible through generous funding from Lakewood Hospital, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and Lakewood-Rocky River Rotary plus support from the City of Lakewood, and the Beck Center. Lakewood Is Art also worked with West Shore students creating a curriculum with their teacher to give students a hands-on project to learn about marketing and promotion in the entertainment industry. And the students did a fantastic job!! Budget: $ 5,000 – $10,000 Lakewood Car Kulture Show Since 2003, the show has been displaying over 100 pre-1972 hot rods, custom, antique and classic cars, vintage motorcycles, scooters, bobbers and choppers on the second Saturday in August. Event features live rockabilly music, food, vendors and a 50/50 raffle. Attendance is estimated at over 15,000 people throughout the day. Madison Avenue, Lakewood is closed down for a six-block stretch starting at 13221 Madison Avenue including (but is not limited to) bars, restaurants, the throwback bowling alley Mahall’s and an alternative/punk/goth clothing and accessory store Chain Link Addiction. Sponsors include Lakewood is Art, City of Lakewood, Chain Link Addiction, Jak Prints, Lakewood Door and Window Company, LowBrow Customs, Faction Press, Nationwide Insurance of Lakewood, Vance Music Studios. Art of Recycling Green Smart Gifts, Local Girl Gallery, and Lakewood is Art (LIA) developed The Art of Recycling, A “green smART” community project We commissioned artwork for “The Art of Recycling” Recycle Bin Project. A total of eight artists or groups of artists were selected to create artwork on 55-gallon recycle receptacles to be displayed throughout Lakewood. The unveiling for these eight artistically designed recycle bins took place on the steps of Lakewood Library on April 25th as part of Lakewood’s Earth Day celebration. The bins were on display the Library steps for several weeks, and are now been placed in various locations along Detroit and Madison Avenues. Each recycle bin has been placed next to, or very near, an existing trash bin. Local companies sponsored bins allowing the selected artists’ designs to receive a $150 stipend to cover the costs of materials and time. The Erie Screw Factory unselfishly donated space for artists to work on their bins, over the course of eight weeks. The Recycle bins have beautified Lakewood with art and also resulted in additional rentals at Erie Screw by participating artists. |