Brazilian artist will paint a huge mural over two connecting walls Downtown in August. By Ilona Westfall
From a massive “Greetings from Cleveland” postcard welcoming visitors to Ohio City to a ballerina dancing on a wall on East 4th Street, we’ve all seen the works of Graffiti HeArt splashed across the city. Since its formation in 2013, the nonprofit has commissioned 60 public murals from local and international graffiti artists.
The organization celebrates its 10th anniversary June 14-16 with a weekend full of events at its Superior Avenue gallery, including a blow-out bash with DJs, live art and an appearance by Philadelphia’s Cornbread, widely considered the first modern graffiti artist.
“To have these stars, these legends, come to Cleveland really puts Cleveland on the map when it comes to street art,” says Graffiti HeArt president and founder, Stamy Paul.
Events kick off Friday, June 14 with Up Close with Cornbread ($25), a discussion and Q&A with the artist, who gained notoriety for tagging a live elephant at the Philadelphia Zoo in 1971.
Saturday starts with a series of Graffiti HeArt Youth Stencil Art Workshops (free with advance registration) where kids ages 5–17 can use spray paint to create their own masterpieces to be displayed at the main event, the Graffiti HeArt 10-Year Celebration ($35–$100) later that night.
The celebration’s DJs, including locals Lee Majors and Cardio, will set the soundtrack while regional artists including Rich Cihlar, Bob Peck and Stina Aleah paint works that attendees can bid on in a silent auction during the event.
On Sunday, June 16, Cornbread joins the Street HeArt Tour, a guided tour of the city’s murals on board a luxury limo shuttle. “People can get a three-hour intimate experience and get to know Cornbread and hear his stories of the history of graffiti and so forth,” says Paul.
Proceeds from the silent auction will be used for scholarships to send underprivileged kids to art school (an integral part of the organization’s mission that has sent around 60 kids to college), as well as the culmination of their 10th-anniversary events: the city’s largest public mural.
Kobra, a Brazilian artist who is one of the top international names in street and mural art, will be painting a sprawling 12,000-square-foot mural downtown, on St. Clair Avenue in August.
“Graffiti HeArt will be bringing Kobra and his assistants to Cleveland in August to tackle this significant canvas over two connecting walls,” says Paul. “It will be the pinnacle mural of Cleveland and it’s gonna blow everyone away.”
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
