Welcome to Cleveland changes perceptions and wows visiting artists

North Shore Collinwood artist Michael Loderstedt gives Welcome to Cleveland participants a glimpse of his backyard garden.

Did you ever have a secret that you just couldn’t keep to yourself and wanted to tell everybody? Well, so do we! Some of you, of course, already know the secret – that our city and our neighborhood have a thriving arts scene and wonderful opportunities for artists. Now, thanks to the fun-filled Welcome to Cleveland Weekend, it’s not a secret anymore.

From August 1st through August 4th, ten attendees from Atlanta, Boston, New York and other locations around the nation had the chance to come together and celebrate what both North Shore Collinwood and Cleveland has to offer them … and all at a ridiculously low cost! Hotel accommodations, ground transportation and meals were included, along with opportunities to check out some of Cleveland’s most artist-friendly neighborhoods, including our own. To add to the experience, they were able to meet and network with a wide range of fellow creative spirits that lent their voices and insights about what makes our community such a great place.

The much anticipated event was co-hosted by Northeast Shores Development Corporation and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture and was designed for artists considering a move to Cleveland. Visitors enjoyed a three-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel inside of the historic Arcade downtown. Weekend highlights included guided tours of Cleveland’s premiere artist neighborhoods and institutions, behind-the-scenes access to some of Cleveland’s great cultural organizations, complimentary daytime and evening arts programming and tours of houses and storefronts that are being targeted for artist ownership. The annual Euclid Beach Blast also proved to be a big treat for Welcome to Cleveland attendees. The weekend concluded with a delicious brunch at the Beachland Ballroom where guests enjoyed great food, networked with local artists and shared their thoughts about their Cleveland experience.

The event seemed to be a big hit. By the end of the weekend, 9 of 10 participants were actively making plans to relocate to Cleveland, with 5 looking specifically at purchasing property in North Shore Collinwood. Jewelry artist Vincent Hawley summed up what a lot of participants felt – that the event created a great impression of the city and made pretty much everyone want to move here!

Visual artist Nathan Ehlers volunteers that, because of the event, “my entire outlook on the city of Cleveland had been transformed.”

“Previously I had no idea why anyone would live in Cleveland. When I pictured the city, it was a big empty space. I had no idea that 90% of what we saw on this weekend existed.”

He goes on to share that “after this weekend and seeing the investment and support for the Collinwood neighborhood, I'm certain we're going to go forward with buying a property and relocating there.”

Meanwhile, Atlanta-based artist Sherrie Hauser-Simmons offers one specific piece of advice about Welcome to Cleveland Weekend: “Keep offering it.”

Northeast Shores and the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture are continuously working every day to increase artists' access to space ownership, grants and loans ... and are making sure that artists get a chance to play a big role in neighborhood revitalization. Find out about all sorts of artist resources unique to the North Shore Collinwood neighborhood, including details about Welcome to Cleveland Weekend, by visiting www.welcometocollinwood.com.

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Volume 5, Issue 8, Posted 1:00 PM, 09.12.2013