The Cleveland Institute of Art is extraordinarily important to Northeast Ohio and the world for the great artists and designers educated there, and for the great artists and designers who are the educators, and staff. Each year, the work of the diverse CIA faculty is showcased in an exhibition not to be missed... the reception for 2007 was last Friday, December 7, and a great event, as always... perhaps the last ever in the historic Gund Building Reinberger Gallery space, as the CIA moves in total to Euclid Avenue.

Having followed this show and so these CIA artists my entire life, this is one of my benchmarks of the health of the region. As far as quality at CIA goes, we are first class. I can't acknowledge all the great work and artists in this show - all deserve recognition and praise - but I do notice in my photos from the opening that my camera was drawn to Barbera Stanczak, and her work, so she is featured prominently here... for good reason (shown on right, below).

Barbara and her husband, Julian, are but two of the globally important artists who choose to make Northeast Ohio their homes, because the CIA is here. Julian is one of the few artists who are the Op Art Movement (and he and Op are very big, around the world, right now and forever), and Barbara is one of the finest sculptors and art instructors alive (I took a design class from her, many years ago). Her work in this faculty show includes the stone carvings shown in the first photo above and the assemblage below, showing her remarkable range (see more of her work, featured in a previous REALNEO write-up here).

I can't attend a show at the CIA without reflecting on how fortunate we are to have the work coming out of this institution available for purchase at very low cost, in our home town. One day this realization will catch on with folks around NEO, or be important to new folks who move here, as it is possible to assemble a very sweet art collection in NEO with any budget, and the work at the top of the market is still an amazing value. Our regional businesses know this, as they snap up CIA designers' services, but CIA arts patrons remain a rare breed.

As one suggestion for how each of us may help the Northeast Ohio environment and economy, and area arts and culture, while making places here more artistic, REALNEO encourage buying local, and buying art. As the consumers among us prowl NEO for stuff to give people, how about looking to the CIA faculty, students, and graduates as sources for the perfect presents. One place to start looking is at the CIA Faculty show, but only until December 21st.