Midsummer Third Fridays Event at 78th Street Studios Features Many New Openings

As the summer heats up, so does the schedule for Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios. From 5 to 9 p.m. this Friday, drop in to see dozens of artist studios and galleries, many of which are hosting receptions for new or continuing exhibitions.

For example, E11even 2 (Suite 112) hosts an opening reception for Lucky Charms, a themed group show featuring the work of accomplished local artists Andy Dreamingwolf, Randy Maxin and E11even 2 co-founder R!ch Cihlar. Lucky Charms remains on view through Aug. 23.

“After multiple discussions with Randy and Andy, we all have different interpretations of ‘luck’ or ‘lucky charms,’ which I'm fascinated with,” explains Cihlar. “So all of our works will relate to different avenues of lucky charms, but they're all different in the sense of approach. That's what I love about working with other artists. Not to mention I'm a big fan of both Randy and Andy's work. To work with friends and high-end artists really drives the end result for an exhibition, and brings a sense of luck to the whole event. I'm lucky to work with pioneer artists like Randy and Andy. It'll be a moment in time I remember forever.”

Gallery + (Suite 109) hosts a very special exhibition of work by legendary local cartoonist Gary Dumm, who collaborated on many issues of American Splendor with the late Harvey Pekar. In fact, Dumm has been creating comics for more than 45 years. Gallery + will be showcasing both published and unpublished work.

Additionally, prints, books and comics will be available. Big fans of their hometown, Dumm and his wife Laura (a talented painter herself) collaborated on “A Love Letter to Cleveland” mural on the Orange Blossom Press building (1935 W. 25th St.) in 2013.

ZAINA Gallery (Suite 108) presents Ryan Rennie’s Arti(fice)fact. Rennie is currently an MFA candidate at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, scheduled to graduate next year. The exhibition features a collection of appropriated everyday objects from souvenir shops, online stores, truck stops and Walmarts. Like Duchamp’s groundbreaking Readymades, Arti(fice)fact re-contextualizes these objects into a formal setting, encouraging viewers to re-evaluate their familiarity with these objects. Arti(fice)fact remains on view through August 19.

On the second floor, HEDGE Gallery (Suite 200) hosts an opening reception for its latest group show. Face Value includes the work of local painters: John W. Carlson, Sarah Curry, Brian Mouhlas and Douglas Max Utter. Face Value is on view through Sept. 23.

“The works in this exhibit investigate and document life stories,” explains HEDGE Gallery director Hilary Gent. “Most of the paintings and drawings are based on events that the artists have witnessed; some personal and historical, others voyeuristic experiences. A variety of painting styles, fluxing between abstraction and representation, create a journalistic approach to human life in the past and present day. The characters in the paintings represent the artists’ approach to communicating personalities, emotion, and often painful reality. Viewers are invited to become investigators, challenged to make sense of the connection between suggestion and significance in the artists’ bodies of work.”

Don’t forget to check out the lower level. Downstairs, ARTneo (Suite 016) debuts new work by established Cleveland-based artists Jason K. Milburn and Leila Voss. Locus of Transition was awarded to Milburn and Voss after they placed second and third in ARTneo’s juried exhibition in 2015. First place winner Andy Dreamingwolf is scheduled for a solo show next year. The show features Milburn’s combination of drawing, printmaking, collage and cut-outs, as well as drawings and sculptures by Voss.

“The theme of change in Locus of Transition came about coincidentally as Jason K. Milburn and Laila Voss started working on pieces for the exhibition,” elaborates Christopher Richards, curator and collections manager at ARTneo. “Milburn's work focuses on the transitions of family roles, while Voss explores industrial production and energy conservation.”

You’ll have to enter FORUM Artspace through a separate entrance on the side of the building near the W. 78th Street end of the parking lot, but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it – just look for the barbeque. For the seventh time, FORUM hosts its Bazaarbeque. Part group art show, part potluck, Bazaarbeque features dozens of artists showcasing their work salon-style, with work filling the walls throughout the gallery. Each artist is encouraged to bring something for the barbeque, and food is available throughout the evening. Whether you bring something or not, everyone is welcome to stop by, check out the show and grab some food. FORUM hosts a closing reception next Third Friday, Aug. 19.

In addition to these opening receptions, several galleries host receptions for continuing and closing exhibitions. Tregoning & Company’s (Suite 101) A Thrilling Act, a retrospective of the late Anthony Eterovich remains on view through July. Cleveland West Arts League (CWAL, Suite 110) closes Azadeh Hussaini and James VandenBoom’s Migrant Elements. Troy Gua’s second Pop Hybrids closes on July 23. Don’t miss it at Kenneth Paul Lesko Gallery (Suite 212). Popeye Gallery has extended the Rust Belt Monster Collective’s first large-scale exhibition of murals through July at Survival Kit (Suite 303). As most galleries begin to close their doors at 9 p.m., Survival Kit co-founder Brian Straw presents live music in the gallery by Mourning [A] BLKstar, followed by Chamba Music.

There’s plenty more to see throughout the building. As always, everything is free and open to the public.

(78th Street Studios) 1300 W. 78th St., 330-819-7280, 78thstreetstudios.com