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Mayor Justin M. Bibb today moved forward with legislation to authorize the removal of temporary barriers from Public Square and replace them with modern and removable bollards. The proposed legislation provides up to $1.5 million in funding from the capital budget for removal, repair and redesign work.  

“Public Square should be the people’s park but for too long, jersey barriers have got in the way. Today, my administration is taking the first step towards removing these barriers and restoring Public Square to its original intent – to serve as a meeting place in the heart of our city,” Mayor Bibb said.

The proposed legislation authorizes the removal of the jersey barriers and replacement with bollards that will ensure safety, enhance the City’s ability to open and close the square for public events and authorize the Group Plan Commission to enter into a contract to start the design and construction of the improvements.

“I applaud the Mayor for taking quick and decisive action to remove the jersey barriers from Public Square. These unnecessary and intrusive barriers have compromised the beauty and function of the people’s square. This legislation will ensure our Public Square thrives as a welcoming place for all Clevelanders for many years to come,” Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack said. 

The preliminary estimated cost of the project to replace the concrete barriers and repair the Superior crossing is approximately $3.0 million. In addition to funds previously set aside by the City, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will be considering an investment.  The Group Plan Commission will have an opportunity to evaluate cost effectiveness and pursue additional funding through private and philanthropic investments. 

The Group Plan Commission held the original contract for the design, construction and reconstruction of Public Square in 2015 and will be authorized to commence a redesign, upon City Council approval. 

The Group Plan Commission is the project team responsible for delivering the project on behalf of the City and consists of the original architects, engineers, contractors and project managers who understand the complexities of constructing permanent barriers, with knowledge of the significant underground existing infrastructure. Removal requires surgical precision to ensure utilities below the surface are not damaged.

”Group Plan Commission applauds Mayor Justin Bibb’s expedient introduction of legislation to improve the safety, security and aesthetics in Public Square by removing the jersey barriers in Superior Avenue and planters at the corner entryways into Public Square with an attractive, removable bollard system,” said Group Plan Commission Chairperson Tony Coyne. 

“Additionally, RTA’s commitment allows us to begin the process as soon as legislation is passed. We will connect with our funding partners in hopes of closing the gap, finishing the job we started, and making Superior what it was intended to be for the enjoyment of our community.”

Display of work by Black artists who embrace and challenge art history

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Currents and Constellations: Black Art in Focus  features nine thematic groupings of works by Black artists, five in the Julia and Larry Pollock Focus Gallery and four in the permanent collection galleries. The exhibition places Black American art and artists at the center of discussions about the relevance of art history to contemporary practice. Works from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) permanent collection and significant loans are presented in conversation, exploring the ways emerging and mid-career Black artists embrace and challenge art history. On display are works by Sanford Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Richard Hunt, Dawoud Bey, Lorna Simpson, Jack Whitten, Darius Steward, Kenturah Davis, Mario Moore and Torkwase Dyson, among others. Currents and Constellations, a free exhibition, is on view through June 26, 2022.

“Currents and Constellations features a series of thematic vignettes that emphasize how Black artists have drawn from conventional art historical narratives to generate new ones,” said William M. Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. “The exhibition creates conversations among contemporary art and historical objects in our encyclopedic collection, inviting visitors to bring their own interpretations to these multifaceted objects.”

In the exhibition, “currents and constellations” is used as a navigational phrase that helps visitors explore the meanings of complex artworks, especially those that engage histories suppressed or erased from conventional narratives. The phrase marks both direct art historical links, or currents, which represent connections supported by written or recorded archival research, and indirect connections, orconstellations, which represent what’s missing from an archive or account. Together, “currents and constellations” describes the interpretive potential of an artwork. The exhibition’s nine thematic groupingsilluminate some of the ways that Black artists address essential perspectives, questions and ideas.

“Through multiple, overlapping themes, visitors are encouraged to consider the vast network of relations borne of a single artwork, to experience the ways that Blackness, broadly speaking, may impact an artist’s process or content and to see challenging artworks as an invitation to delve more deeply,” said Key Jo Lee, director of academic affairs and associate curator of special projects.

The thematic groupings in the focus gallery include Black Cartographies, where each artwork uniquely maps Black experiences and histories; Turning Away and Turning Toward, both of which engage the history of portraiture; The Sacred Mundane, featuring works by artists who show how what they cherish might seem common or mundane; and Resistance in Black & White, where artists address different forms of oppression.

The four groupings in the permanent collection galleries generate new conversations with works in other parts of the CMA’s collection, including American painting and sculpture, Abstract Expressionism, German Expressionism and contemporary art.

Companion Publication

Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking is a companion publication written by Key Jo Lee, director of academic affairs and associate curator of special projects, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and PhD candidate, Yale University; Christina Sharpe, professor, Department of Humanities, York University, Toronto; Robin Coste Lewis, poet laureate of Los Angeles; and Erica Moiah James, assistant professor, art history, University of Miami.

The publication offers a new interpretive model drawing on four key works of Black art in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Each chapter is a case study for leading Black academics in different disciplines to challenge the limits of canonical art history rooted in social and racial inequality. The publication seeks to transform how art history is written, introduce readers to complex objects and theoretical frameworks, illuminate meanings and untold histories, open new entry points into Black art and publicize content on Black art acquired by the CMA. 

Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking is published by the CMA and distributed by Yale University Press. It will be available for purchase this summer online or at the Cleveland Museum of Art store for $45.

Complementary Programming

Write-In with Literary Cleveland: Writing Inspired by Black Art 

Saturday, March 26, noon–4 p.m.

Meet in the Ames Family Atrium

FREE; ticket required

Fuel your writing with inspiration from Black art. 

Explore the works in Currents and Constellations: Black Art in Focus through a variety of writing prompts and activities with Literary Cleveland. CMA curator Key Jo Lee will be on hand to answer questions.

Open Call: If you are interested in participating in “Represent: Writing Inspired by Black Art,” Literary Cleveland and the CMA are accepting submissions through April 11. Submit your writing here. 

Represent: Writing Inspired by Black Art

Friday, May 20, 7 p.m.

Gartner Auditorium

FREE; ticket required

Spend your evening at the CMA with Literary Cleveland, as writers share work that reflects on Black art and its expansive possibilities. 

Enjoy readings inspired by the key themes of and the works in Currents and Constellations: Black Art in Focus, which puts art from the CMA’s permanent collection in conversation with a vanguard of emerging and mid-career Black artists who explore the fundaments of art making, embracing and challenging art history. 

Open Call: If you are interested in participating, Literary Cleveland and the CMA are accepting submissions through April 11. Submit your writing here. 

For more information about and images for Currents and Constellations: Black Art in Focus, please view the press kit.

Currents and Constellations: Black Art in Focus is made possible with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

All exhibitions at the Cleveland Museum of Art are underwritten by the CMA Fund for Exhibitions. Generous annual support is provided by an anonymous supporter, Dick Blum* and Harriet Warm, Dr. Ben H. and Julia Brouhard, Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Chapman Jr., the Jeffery Wallace Ellis Trust in memory of Lloyd H. Ellis Jr., Leigh and Andy Fabens, Michael Frank in memory of Patricia Snyder, the Sam J. Frankino Foundation, Janice Hammond and Edward Hemmelgarn, Eva and Rudolf Linnebach, William S. and Margaret F. Lipscomb, Tim O’Brien and Breck Platner, Anne H. Weil, and the Womens Council of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

*Deceased

About the Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 63,000 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship and performing arts and is a leader in digital innovations. One of the top comprehensive art museums in the nation, recognized for its award-winning Open Access program and free of charge to all, the Cleveland Museum of Art is located in the University Circle neighborhood.

The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs and events, call 888-CMA-0033 or visit cma.org.

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HB 572 promotes volunteering as a poll worker

State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 572, bipartisan legislation to designate Jan. 25 as “National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.”

“Poll workers are essential to our democratic process, working on the front lines of our elections to safeguard our sacred right to vote for all Ohioans,” said Rep. Sweeney. “The bipartisan nature of this bill allows us to look past the divisive nature of today’s politics and come together to recruit the next generation of poll workers and strengthen the bedrock of our Republic.”

In the past, our nation’s poll workers have disproportionately been from older generations. Given that they are at a higher risk to COVID-19, Ohio has seen a significant decrease in poll worker participation. According to Healthy Elections, Ohio reported that for every poll worker that registered to work during the March 2020 primary, three poll workers were lost due to concerns over public health. Designating this day will promote participation in this important component of our election process. 

“I encourage everyone to take a turn participating in the Democratic process so they can see firsthand how elections work in Ohio,” said Rep. Ray.

Poll workers are a vital part of our elections, and the designation of National Poll Worker Recruitment Day emphasizes finding poll workers from all political backgrounds. 

HB 572 now awaits referral to a committee for consideration. 

By Tonya Sams, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

Unpaid debt can be a huge burden that creates a constant cycle of worry and fear. 

Do you know what to do if you are sued by a debt collector, if your car is repossessed, or if you are a victim of identity theft? Legal Aid has answers.

Car Repossession 

Your car can be repossessed by the lender if you fail to make a payment (also known as going into default). The lender can even take your car away without your knowledge – whether it is parked in your driveway, a parking lot, or on the street. 

One thing that a lender cannot do while repossessing your car is “breach the peace.” This means the lender cannot threaten or use physical force to retrieve the car or take your car from your closed garage without permission. If there is a breach of peace, you should call the police. Do not threaten or attempt to stop the repossession of your car. 

Any personal items in the car must be returned to you. It is important to call the lender to find out where to get your items, but beware – there may be a small storage fee from the lender. 

It is important to remember to write down the date in which your car was repossessed and save all notices that you receive from the lender. If the lender fails to notify you during the repossession process, makes a mistake, or gives you incorrect information, that can be used in your defense if you are sued.

The lender must notify you within five business days to explain why the car was repossessed and the steps you need to take to get it back. If you cannot pay to get the car back at that time, the lender must notify you if they are selling the car. You will usually receive a notice at least ten days before the sale of the car. Even if the car is sold for less than what you owed, the lender can take you to court for something called “deficiency.” 

Legal Aid can help if you have been sued to collect the deficiency

Legal Aid and the Cuyahoga County Court of Common have created a Consumer Debt Defense Program, which is a free program that helps people who are being sued because of an unpaid debt. 

For more information, call the Court Resource Center at (216) 443-8204 or email courtinfo@cuyahogacounty.us.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office can also help if you have any issues regarding the process in which your car was repossessed. You can file a complaint at its website, ohioattorneygeneral.gov. 

What happens if you are a victim of identity theft?

Legal Aid can also help if your personal information (such as your name, social security number, or credit card information) has been stolen. Stolen information can be used to make purchases, open new lines of credit, create new utility accounts, or receive medical care. It can also be used to steal tax refunds – and, the thief can use your name if arrested.

If you are a victim of identity theft:;

• Contact the companies that were affected and close accounts that were open in your name.
• Go to annualcreditreport.com to create a fraud alert through the credit bureaus and request a copy of your credit report.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to inform them of the theft. 
• Contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section.
• File a report with your local police department.
• Go to annualcreditreport.com to find out how to correct your credit report.
• Contact the credit bureaus to add a fraud alert or credit freeze.

It may be necessary to contact the Social Security Administration, a lawyer (to clear criminal charges in your name, if there are any), and/or debt collectors (so you will not have to pay debts that you are not responsible for). You may also have to get government-issued IDs replaced.

If you need help regarding debt, car possession or identity theft, call Legal Aid at (216) 687-1900 or seek help 24/7 at www.lasclev.org.  

Tonya Sams is the Development and Communications Assistant at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

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Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Chief Director of the Department of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Interim Police Chief Wayne Drummond announce that the City of Cleveland, Department of Public Safety, Division of Police has requested the assistance of the Cleveland Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation after an internal investigation revealed possible patterns of inappropriate conduct by members of the Cleveland Division of Police. The Cleveland Division of Police Internal Affairs Unit conducted an internal review of departmental reports, information, body worn camera footage and data and opened an investigation after that review indicated potential patterns of police use of force incidents, involving several detectives in the Division. The actions of the detectives’ direct supervisor at the time of the alleged incidents are also under review.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently reviewing information provided by Cleveland Police.

In an effort of full transparency, information will be released when appropriate while maintaining the integrity of this review and any possible proceedings. The officers who are the subjects of this review were assigned to an investigative unit and have been reassigned to administrative duty positions with no contact with the public during this time. 

“The City of Cleveland takes matters of alleged police misconduct seriously and expects officers to conduct their duties constitutionally and in accordance with the laws. The City of Cleveland, Division of Police will cooperate fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” said Interim Chief Drummond.

PRESS RELEASE

LORAIN- Horizon’s Lorain Community Center located within the Constellation-Lorain Community School was awarded a 5 Star Quality Rating under the State of Ohio’s Quality Child Care rating system known as “Step Up To Quality” under the direction of Heather LaMore, Center Director for Horizon’s Lorain Community Center.  A 5 Star rating is the highest rating under the rating program.  Horizon now has six Lorain County centers that are at a level 5 Star Step Up to Quality with the rest above a level 4 rating.  The base level for high quality in Ohio is 3 stars. 

Horizon formed a collaboration with Constellation-Lorain Community School back in 2019 to offer a preschool along with their currently after-school program within Lorain Community.  Horizon’s main goal for their preschool program is to provide 20 slots for children enrolling and provide them with a high-quality kindergarten readiness program. 

Horizon Education Centers has had a nine-year partnership with Constellation Schools through the 21st Century Learning Grant from the State of Ohio in which Horizon operates an after-school program at Lorain Community School already. Studies have shown that children who attend after-school programs benefit from: increased academic efforts, fewer emotional and behavioral problems, increased physical activity, and help create healthy learning habits. 

According to Horizon’s Executive Director Dave Smith, “Horizon’s strives to prove high-quality care and education for children 6 weeks of age to 12 years old.  We are proud to be one of Lorain’s top-rated programs.  All twelve of Horizon Education Centers are rated high quality under Ohio’s Step Up To Quality Rating System. This rating ensures that your child will experience:  qualified teachers, a proven curriculum, family engagement, developmental screenings, and electronic access to your child’s individual learning.”  

Horizon Education Centers is a leader in quality early care and education, preparing children and families for life since 1978.  Horizon is a mission-driven nonprofit making sure all families have access to high-quality programs regardless of income or where they live.  

Horizon Education Centers is in the build process of its thirteenth center, which is being built near the Detroit Shoreway, Cleveland.  Horizon hopes to open this new center which will serve children 18 months to 12 years in the fall of 2022.

Horizon offers toddler, preschool, and afterschool/summer camp programs Monday-Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.  For more information, call 440-779-1930 or www.HorizonOhio.org  

PRESS RELEASE

Citizens is partnering with EVERFI to raise awareness and provide educational opportunities focused on Black experiences as well as award eleven student scholarships. The Black History Month Challenge – a unique competition taking place throughout February – uses EVERFI’s African American History courses to help high school students better understand the Black experience through education that highlights Black perspectives, successes, and struggles.

The month-long challenge, created by social impact education innovator EVERFI, features four digital lessons and a capstone essay contest in which students will share a plan for maintaining a year-round conversation about Black history in their community. Eleven winners across Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, New York, and one national winner will each receive a $2,500 scholarship and a brand new Apple MacBook Pro, courtesy of Citizens Pay.

“Citizens is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive world for all,” said Jim Malz, Ohio President for Citizens. “We are proud to sponsor the Black History Month Challenge and hope it will elevate history as a lens to understand current events and encourage meaningful dialogue about race and social justice.”

The Black History Month Challenge is designed to inspire today’s students by sharing stories about the Black experience in America; empower students by amplifying Black perspectives across generations; elevate history as a lens to understand current events; and transform students’ perception of the world around them. Students will explore both historical and current events and learn about the many “firsts” that Black leaders have accomplished in the business and medical fields while also showcasing Black professionals who have blazed trails and made significant contributions to their respective sectors.

In addition to supporting the Black History Month Challenge, Citizens works with EVERFI to support schools and teachers in providing students with knowledge around financial empowerment, financing higher education, digital banking safety, and early literacy to help them succeed in and outside the classroom. 

To learn more about the Black History Month Challenge, visit www.citizensbank.com/EVERFI

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Wednesday, February 9, 2022 – Cleveland, OH – Mayor Justin M. Bibb today announced several key appointments to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Board and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) Board.

Cleveland residents and riders Lauren Welch and Jeffrey Sleasman are appointed as trustees to GCRTA Board and Marjorie Chambers is appointed to serve on the NEORSD Board.

Effective March 3, 2022 Ms. Welch will complete the final year of a three-year term that concludes on March 3, 2023.  Mr. Sleasman will begin a three-year term effective March 3, 2022 through March 3, 2025. Ms. Chambers will begin a five year term. 

“Today’s appointments reflect my administration’s commitment to elevating the lived experience of residents and a diversity of voices to key boards and commissions,” Mayor Bibb said. 

“Both Lauren and Jeff are residents and riders. They bring over 15 years’ experience in advocacy and the technology sector respectively and will play an important role in continuing to advocate for equitable public transit policies, funding and innovation,” Mayor Bibb stated. “Marjorie is a respected labor leader and will serve as a critical voice for workers and unions in the delivery of essential services.”

About the Board Appointees:

Jeffrey Sleasman is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boussole, a consumer goods startup and previously served as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Compass Biomedical. He lives Downtown with his family and is car-free. Jeff has been a dedicated transit rider for 30 years in four cities across two continents. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Strategy from Ohio State University.

Lauren Welch resides in the Edgewater neighborhood and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Communications at Say Yes Cleveland. She is the founder of Laurel Cadence, a marketing and advocacy firm and brings over 15 years of expertise in marketing, communications, and advocacy. She has used public transit since high school and continues to take transit regularly today. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University and is currently undertaking a Masters of Nonprofit from Case Western Reserve University. 

Marjorie Chambers is the Chairperson of the Northeast Ohio Community Action Program Council (NEO-CAP) and member of the United Auto Workers Union. She is a skilled tradesperson and has worked at General Motors for over 40 years. Marjorie is a two-time graduate of Cuyahoga Community College and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Labor Relations from Cleveland State University.

Cohort to assist Mayor Justin Bibb’s new administration

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The City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Foundation today announced a partnership that will place a cohort of the foundation’s 2022-23 Public Service Fellows at City Hall to assist with Mayor Justin M. Bibb’s administration.

“Cleveland has a pipeline of talent in our civic sector,” said Mayor Bibb. “We are excited to welcome the cohort of Public Service Fellows to the City and look forward to partnering with the Cleveland Foundation to create new pathways to engage young people in local government.”

Launched in 2016, the fellowship immerses talented, emerging leaders from across the country in the work of Cleveland’s public sector, providing them an opportunity to develop their skills, enhance their networks, and jump-start a career in public service while contributing to the day-to-day workings of the city’s government.

“With November’s election marking the first mayoral change since the inception of our Public Service Fellowship, we saw this as a unique opportunity for this group of rising leaders to work with the new administration,” saidRonn Richard, Cleveland Foundation president & CEO. “This is a wonderful chance for a cohort of recent college graduates to lend their skills and experiences, while having a marked impact in our city as they receive mentorship from the talented professionals at City Hall.”

The fellowships are 12-month, full-time paid placements that include a $40,000 salary with health benefits. To be eligible, candidates must be college graduates who have earned their undergraduate degrees between spring 2019 and spring 2022. A wide range of degrees and areas of study are welcomed.

The application period is open now through Monday, March 7, and offers will be extended by the end of April. To learn more or to apply, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/student-resources/fellowship/.

PRESS RELEASE

Mayor Justin M. Bibb today announced several key appointments to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Board and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) Board.

Cleveland residents and riders Lauren Welch and Jeffrey Sleasman are appointed as trustees to GCRTA Board and Marjorie Chambers is appointed to serve on the NEORSD Board.

Effective March 3, 2022 Ms. Welch will complete the final year of a three-year term that concludes on March 3, 2023.  Mr. Sleasman will begin a three-year term effective March 3, 2022 through March 3, 2025. Ms. Chambers will begin a five year term. 

“Today’s appointments reflect my administration’s commitment to elevating the lived experience of residents and a diversity of voices to key boards and commissions,” Mayor Bibb said. 

“Both Lauren and Jeff are residents and riders. They bring over 15 years’ experience in advocacy and the technology sector respectively and will play an important role in continuing to advocate for equitable public transit policies, funding and innovation,” Mayor Bibb stated. “Marjorie is a respected labor leader and will serve as a critical voice for workers and unions in the delivery of essential services.”

About the Board Appointees:

Jeffrey Sleasman is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boussole, a consumer goods startup and previously served as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Compass Biomedical. He lives Downtown with his family and is car-free. Jeff has been a dedicated transit rider for 30 years in four cities across two continents. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University and earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Strategy from Ohio State University.

Lauren Welch resides in the Edgewater neighborhood and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Communications at Say Yes Cleveland. She is the founder of Laurel Cadence, a marketing and advocacy firm and brings over 15 years of expertise in marketing, communications, and advocacy. She has used public transit since high school and continues to take transit regularly today. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University and is currently undertaking a Masters of Nonprofit from Case Western Reserve University. 

Marjorie Chambers is the Chairperson of the Northeast Ohio Community Action Program Council (NEO-CAP) and member of the United Auto Workers Union. She is a skilled tradesperson and has worked at General Motors for over 40 years. Marjorie is a two-time graduate of Cuyahoga Community College and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Labor Relations from Cleveland State University.

West Park is rife with talent! We were recently fortunate enough to learn a little more about Shiny Penny Studio Owner and Photographer Keli Schimelpfenig. Check out our Q&A below. If you’re getting married, graduating, or are looking for a professional photographer, keep this local name in mind!

Q: When did you start taking photographs and what were some of the first things you enjoyed taking photos of? 

My parents had a very good SLR Pentax that I would often snap photos on and I got my first camera at a very young age from my parents or my aunt. I think it was one of the very first versions of the Fisher Price cameras with actual film. I remember taking vacation photos and photos around the holidays since film and developing was expensive. Really just playing with framing and composition. But I think I have always been drawn to people in their environment. I think that’s why I love portrait work. People at play, work, in love, changing, staying the same.. .each with their own unique life story. 

Q: You started the idea for dad bods back in 2020 after a conversation about how bad the dating selfies of men can be… Have they improved, in your opinion, at all since? What are some tips you came up with after the shoot? Or maybe had beforehand? 

Oh lord no. Dating sites and profiles are generally a hellscape. But my advice would be to a.) angle the cell phone above you when you are taking a self portrait so you are not shooting up your nose b.) smile (you look like a serial killer if you don’t smile in any photos) and c.) consider hiring a pro for a couple of decent headshots. Most of us need a respectable profile photo for LinkedIn and other social media and they are tax deductible as a job search expense. 

Q: Are you planning on doing another dad bod calendar? 

YES! In fact my business partner Hannah and I have been brainstorming session ideas for the last few weeks and solidifying the concepts. When I did the calendar in 2020 it was a last minute “pandemic project” that I could execute safely outside. We skipped last year due to the USPS headache from year one, however, we have some really great ideas for concepts using more Cleveland landmarks for the 2023 calendar.  Some of our planned 2023 scenes include a Lake Erie Merman, Dad’s at a skatepark, a chef scene at a local restaurant, and so many other fun surprises. 

Q: Your calendar benefited Meals on Wheels. Do you plan on doing something similar to this (not dad bods) in the future? 

We are a very community-centric business and Hannah and I met performing in a community theater production.  We do a number of fundraisers every year as well as having non-profit rates and a number of pro-bono projects we do for various organizations. We also partner with other local small businesses for fundraising sessions or events. Our Santa sessions this year featured a local santa, local baker and a portion of the session fees were donated to two community theater spaces in the neighborhoods where the sessions happened. 

Q: Do you work with a lot of people in the neighborhood? 

 I do and that is constantly growing. I end up covering a lot of photo sessions of seniors at St. Joes, headshots for realtors at Lokal and Howard Hanna, and an ever growing list of families for sessions of all kinds and weddings. 

Q: How long have you lived in West Park? 

I moved here in 2017 and then bought my first home here in 2018 after deciding this was the neighborhood where I wanted to buy. 

Q: Do you take a lot of photos in West Park? Where are some of your favorite places to use? Or, maybe even favorites for those having their photo taken? (I thought I noticed one of the Bethany Lutheran Church on your site). 

Since most of our sessions happen outside, West Park often has a guest role in a lot of photo sessions. I will use Bethany English Lutheran Church for some sessions because I’m a member and sing in choir there most Sunday mornings. People just wave and smile rather than shooing us off of the property. (That has happened to me before! Once while I was taking anniversary photos for a couple outside of the church where they got married and we got quite the gruff “greeting” by the groundskeepers.) We can also be spotted down in the metroparks –  that is a visual playground we take full advantage of. Tyler Barn and the nearby pine trees are always a popular spot for family sessions in the fall. 

Q: Along the lines of the last question, do you shoot a lot of corporate branding sessions or weddings, etc. in West Park or the area? 

We have worked with a number of local couples for wedding day coverage. It’s fun because we know this area so well we can manage almost any scenario that may be thrown at us on a wedding day. Rain in the forecast? No problem, we know a cute bridge and path area with tons of fall foliage near a shelter large enough for your wedding party. That kind of thing. And our branding sessions are a growing part of our business and we are seeing more and more local realtors, small business owners, and we covered corporate headshots in the past couple of months for the entire Heartland Financial Services team on Aerospace Parkway. 

Q: Can you elaborate a little more on your corporate branding sessions and why a West Parker might be interested or how they might benefit from this? 

Branding photos quite simply are just a step beyond a profile/headshot photo. They feature you doing what you do to serve your customers. They are sneak peeks into the behind the scenes work at a business. I’m working on a session right now for a local artist who is launching a couple of lines for wholesale sticker distribution. Some of the photos will be of her at work creating her art, working on her ipad and laptop or on the phone with a client. A lot of those photos are use for social media posts, linked-In profile photos, and websites. As consumers are becoming more conscious of purchases, having a real face behind a product or service can really help establish who you are in the community. 

Q: Do you have tips for other photographers out there? 

 Always be shooting. Always be playing. Always be exploring.  Really it’s just like anything else – the more time you invest in something generally the better you become. As we grow and get bigger I find myself learning and picking up new skills at a faster rate simply because I am getting more practice. 

Q: What do you think are some of the most important qualities a photographer can have? Do you feel it’s important to make people feel at ease, comfortable, etc. 

My number one lesson to anyone who works with me is that our number one goal is to leave a session with our client feeling confident, relaxed and hopefully happy. This is more important than any of the photos you may have snapped, or camera settings, or any of the technical aspects. Getting a portrait taken can be really intimidating and the number one thing I hear before going into a session is “I hate having my photo taken.” So our first job is to make clients not hate the process. Why do people hate it? Probably because the results of having your husband or child snap photos of you at unflattering angles and in sweats is not all that great. So we set you up for success by providing flattering lighting, clothing advice and finding locations that are perfect for what you want to express visually. 

Q: What’s the best way for people to reach you?

Our website is shinypennystudios.com for anyone who wants to see more of what we do. You can also email me at keli@shinypennystudios.com or call at 216-338-9162. 

By Jerry Masek

The Bellaire-Puritas Development Corp. (BPDC) has several new projects that will benefit businesses, students and residents of Ward 16 in 2022.

 Bryan Gillooly, Executive Director since 2006, summarized the projects that keep BPDC busy.

Community development

    BPDC works closely with Ward 16 Councilman Brian Kazy to support and help developers working on physical investments. Main projects in 2022 are the redevelopment of the vacant Nathaniel Hawthorne School into housing, and breaking ground on a larger Rockport Library branch of the Cleveland Public Library.

    Councilman Kazy will discuss those projects in detail in March at his State of the Ward Meeting. Gillooly urges residents to attend.

    “We are excited about the impact of the new Rockport Library. Long-term, it could help attract investment to the Puritas-West 140 Street area,” Gillooly said.

Middle Neighborhood Initiative

    BPDC is very interested in plans the city is making for “middle neighborhoods.” The Middle Neighborhoods Initiative will create programs that help homeowners and businesses “close the gap” between the cost to build or renovate, and thefinancing needed to afford the renovation and improvements.

    “Residents will hear a lot more about this program later in the year,” Gillooly said. “It will be a major benefit to homeowners, and it can help Ward 16 promote the construction and renovation of middle-income housing.”

Youth Programs

    “Working through COVID,” he said, “brought opportunities to work with families that needed help beyond the youth programming we provided. In 2020 and 2021, we built partnerships to address more family needs, and we can continue to address those needs in 2022.”

    For example, BPDC is working with Say Yes Cleveland to serve 100 students at RG Jones Elementary with an expanded after-school program. This partnership helps both students and their families, he said.

    BPDC is the lead agency for the West Park MyCom. MyCom stands for “my commitment, my community.” It helps young people to advocate for themselves. BPDC will support and promote the program in schools throughout West Park. They are introducing a “resource closet” for schools to help students with their basic needs.

WorkForce Development

    Throughout the pandemic, after meeting more and more people in need, it also became clear that local job training programs were unable to fill their training classes.  BPDC is working in 2022 to connect families to existing opportunities in training.

Community Engagement

    BPDC, working with Neighborhood Family Practice, helps Ward 16 residents fight COVID. Using a hotline phonenumber, residents can obtain information, transportation to vaccinations and boosters, and access COVID testing.

    The West Park COVID Hotline is 216-230-9730.

Neighbor to Neighbor Cleveland

    As a part of this new program BPDC’s goal in 2022 is to survey, measure and reduce the digital divide, so more residents can fully utilize computer and internet resources.