The building in which our studios are located just won ‘Best Re-use of an Industrial Building’ in the 2009 Cleveland Scene Best Of awards!
The former home of the Lake Erie Screw Corporation in Lakewood’s Bird Town was left empty when the company moved to Indiana. But building manager Ralph Lukich wasn’t going to let the concrete behemoth just sit there. Starting with printmaker Phyllis Fannin and a few other noted Cleveland artists, Lukich constructed artisan studios in the building and, in the process, built an active community of more than 20 people creating everything from custom cabinetry to messenger bags. The artists not only work there, they also invite visitors to frequent open houses, so you can see them in action.
In addition, Shannon Okey & Arabella Proffer, whose studio is on the second floor, won ‘Best Dynamic Duo’ in the same issue. The building has been getting quite a bit of attention lately; 3rd floor ceramics artist Gina DeSantis, who coordinates the open studios, got a mention for her classes in the Scene this summer.
