Back in October we told you about the newly christened artist-in-residency program at The 9, Fred Geis' posh hotel/apartment complex downtown. In addition to Adega, the schmancy restaurant downstairs, and a host of other amenities including the Alex Theater, The 9 offered the showcase as a chance to give back to the Cleveland arts community while rounding out things for Johnny Manziel to do that didn't include drinking (we assume). Here's what The 9 had to say at the time:
“When we initially created the AIR program in association with the art gallery, we wanted to provide our guests and the local community with another answer to the question ‘Why The 9?’” explains Keith Halfman, Principal & Chief Operating Officer of Geis Hospitality Group. “Local art is an expression of the community, and Cleveland has a large pool of talent. Starting with Michelle, we look forward to the program and our resident artists helping establish The 9 as a destination in Cleveland.”Our own Josh Usmani, who covers the arts scene for Scene, was supposed to be the next artist-in-residence, with his work debuting in February. That's no longer happening, as The 9 canceled the program to instead use the space for other purposes.
Recently, the hotel announced local photographer Michelle Murphy as their first resident artist. Jessica Newell’s sky paintings and Herb Ascherman’s photography are the first Cleveland-based artists being exhibited in the nearby gallery space. Both the AIR program and the exhibiting artists will rotate every four months.
