Last month, we explored the eastern portion of the Colonial Marketplace in downtown Cleveland and boy did that make me hungry!! This month it is time to expand our cultural horizons and explore the western half of the Marketplace.
The main tenants in this portion of the arcade are the ArtMetro gallery, Corlette Baylock’s Dots to Nuts Gallery and the Bancroft Gallery (a custom framing shop).
You may be familiar with the ArtMetro gallery from its previous location at the Powerhouse. ArtMetro, currently Cleveland’s largest commercial gallery, is devoted to fine and functional art by regional artists.
ArtMetro is open from 12:00 - 4:00 on Mondays and Saturdays and 11:00 - 5:00 Tuesday through Friday. Call ArtMetro for a listing of current shows at (216)696-1942. ArtMetro has also launched the newly created ARTcade Project. The ARTcade project is an effort to create a mini-art district within the Arcade and has spearheaded the opening of four new exhibit spaces: BUZZ Gallery, directed by Bridget Ginley and Colin Toke; Gallery U, a space for individuals and university affiliated students; an installation space currently run by GROOP, a collaborative of Cleveland artists Michael Moritz, Jeremy Jenkins and Abe Olvido; and an exhibit space for photographer Thom Sivo. With the support of their landlord, the ARTcade project is providing display space for community art groups and is coordinating gallery walks and performance events as well as ARTcade Thursdays with lunchtime music and special events. For more information contact them at 216-696-1942 or via email at TheARTcadeProject@yahoo.com.
Can you imagine using half of a pistachio shell as the medium for your artwork? Well, that is exactly what local artist Corlette “The Nutman” Baylock does. Corlette’s Dots to Nuts gallery has been a fixture in the arcade for years. Corlette’s work is fun and whimsical and will make your little ones laugh. Corlette loves children and will frequently personalize a pistachio nut for kids. How about a toilet seat or chair covered with “nuts”? Corlette has a wide variety of artwork and drawings to choose from in his gallery and will also custom design pieces for any occasion. My thoughtful husband (fiancé at the time) gave me a “Prenutial Agreement” piece just prior to our wedding. It is hilarious. Corlette’s artwork also includes many lower price items including jewelry, ties, bookmarks, and magnets. If you have never met Corlette, stop by his Dots to Nuts Gallery. His hours vary so call ahead at 216-771-NUTS. His creative artwork can also be viewed at their web site.
Enjoy your tour of the Colonial Marketplace. It’s fully enclosed, so it’s great to visit on a rainy or overcast day!