Cleveland Scene | Josh Usmani  |  November 02, 2016

SPACES Will Host One Last Annual Benefit on Superior Viaduct Before Move

SPACES presented the work of more than 9,000 artists in its three locations: Playhouse Square (1978-1981), Warehouse District (1981-1990) and the Superior Viaduct (1990-2016). After 26 years, SPACES will move into the Van Rooy building early next year. Before their highly anticipated move to the new location in Hingetown early next year, the organization hosts its annual benefit, Great Expectations: WESTWARD HO!, from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at its current location (2220 Superior Viaduct) for the final time.

"SPACES remains one of the few organizations founded in the 1970s that continues to be artist-centered and is still thriving," explains Martha Loughridge, SPACES' Development Director. "Our move to Detroit Avenue, a more visible and accessible location, establishes SPACES as a home for the avant-garde well into the future. We are looking forward to our 40th anniversary in 2018 to provide a multi-faceted look at four decades of giving artists the freedom to experiment and create new work in Cleveland."

This year's benefit co-chairs are Pita Brooks, Catherine Butler, Jordan Davis, Hillary Lyon and Kristin Rogers. Great Expectations: Westward Ho! celebrates the organization's 38 years serving as a premier venue for experimental contemporary art, and honors Kathy and Dennis Barrie for their support of SPACES and work shaping the cultural landscape, both locally and across the country.

"We are delighted to honor Kathy and Dennis Barrie for the impact of their work in Cleveland and beyond," says Loughridge. "We appreciate their unique and innovative approach to cultural projects, museums, and creating dynamic audience experiences that have changed the cultural landscape from coast to coast. Their combined creative energies manifest through Barrie Projects, a unique cultural planning firm."

Kathy Barrie helped SPACES develop its organizational foundation early on as a board member from 1982 to 1985, and is currently director of the Putnam Collection at Case Western Reserve University. Dennis Barrie is the founding Executive Director of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and famously brought Robert Mapplethorpe's controversial photography exhibition to Cincinnati as Director of the Contemporary Art Center.

The event includes a silent auction and 12x12 section featuring works by more than 75 artists in total. All work in the 12x12 section is under 12 inches in any dimension and sold for $75 on a first come, first served basis.

"Many of the artists have been recognized for their work by awards from the Cleveland Arts Prize, Community Partnership for Arts & Culture (Creative Workforce Fellowship), the Ohio Arts Council and others," Loughridge adds.
VIP tickets are $150, and include 6:30 p.m. admission, an open bar until 8 p.m., preferred parking and more ($100 tax-deductible). General admission tickets are $50, and include 8 p.m. entry, cash bar, silent auction and more ($35 tax-deductible). Tickets to the Dance Party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. are $10. For more information, visit SPACES' website.

Click here for the original article.

Original Article