The Lake Erie Building in Lakewood has always been a productive center, in its earliest incarnations as Templar Motors Company and for the past decade as the Screw Factory Artists' Studios. Across multiple floors, through a maze of corridors and expansive spaces, dozens of artists' studios have rechristened the deceptively utilitarian architectural relic into a fertile epicenter of regional creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. In many ways, it's a microcosm of the arts and culture revolution that continues to define the development of Cleveland neighborhoods and attract national attention. It takes center stage at the Screw Factory Artists Spring Open Studio on May 7, from 1 pm to 7 pm.
"When I first started organizing the open studios, we only had 10 artists participating and maybe 15 in the building total," says ceramic artist and designer Gina DeSantis (pictured below). "With each event word has spread, and with each new artist they bring with them their patrons.
"Lakewood and its organizations such as stArt Neo, Coffee for a Cause and Friends of Madison Park have helped us with spreading the word about our events. We are fortunate to be in a supportive and open-minded community that appreciates the arts." That community brought crowds of more than 3,000 to each of the Factory's three open studio events during the year, including the first Saturdays in May and November, and the partnership with the Cleveland Handmade Last Minute Market during the last Saturday before Christmas.
The Spring Open Studio will showcase 20 resident artists and 15 visiting artists. The visiting artists are invited by the resident artists to participate. "I think it's great to give customers an insight into the process of making art and not just the final product," says DeSantis. "A gallery can be daunting and intimidating for those who are not part of the 'scene;' I think open studios create a relaxed environment. They also give the artist a change to interact one-on-one with their customers and meet the faces who appreciate their art." The works on exhibit and for sale will include glass, ceramics, painting, fiber arts, jewelry, mixed media collage, sculpture and printmaking. The team from Umami Moto food truck will be on site catering to the art appreciating masses. "The Fall open studio was a huge event for us. We made a lot of friends; and the art community, with its many events, has been one of our greatest supporters," says Umami Moto co-founder Jae Stulock. "That is why we make it a point to go to these events, we like to reciprocate our support." The truck's pad Thai was the biggest seller at the last event, and the large crowds helped Umami Moto sellout of food. Those visitors get a unique experience.
"Visiting the Open Studio at the Screw Factory gives people a chance to see resident and visiting artists and their current work," says jewelry designer Kathryn Patton. "But the range of people I include in the term 'artist' includes the painters, the photographers, the ceramicists, the jewelers, the printmakers, the sewers, the recyclers, the woodworkers, the glass artists, the man who restores the antique cars that were built in the Screw Factory at the turn of the century, the man who restores vintage motorcycles, the soapmakers, the people who make gigantic inflatables on the second floor, and the building's maintenance crew and manager who lovingly find new ways to renovate and re-use the 100 year old factory, filling it with life."
