Shaker Heights, OH
July 29, 2026

Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is proud to announce the unveiling of Sidewalk
Stories, a new project in partnership with the Shaker Heights Public Library.
The inaugural exhibit features photography by local professional photographers
Herbert Ascherman, Caydie Heller, Rita Montlack, Yorel Warr, and Jordan
Alexander Wood. The exhibit is centered around a SHAC bear reading in
various Shaker Heights locations. The artwork will change a few times each
year. The exhibit is presented in front of the Bertram Woods branch library,
20600 Fayette Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44122. The exhibit is free and open
to the public. Photos of the exhibit can be viewed at SHAC’s website at
www.shakerartscouncil.org. Everyone is invited to explore the exhibit in person
or virtually.

Shaker Arts Council's Sidewalk Stories Exhibit is made possible in part by an
investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a
state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen

Shaker Heights, OH
June 22, 2026

On Thursday, July 30, 2026 the Shaker Arts Council presents An Evening of Poetry
with Donald King. This powerful poetry reading featuring Donald King, author of I
Never Rhymed for My Father, also includes performances by poets Vision and
Linnette E. Lawson. Monica Boone is the artistic director and Wulfgar Darkenwald,
Jr. is the accompanying bassist. King’s work reflects on identity, history, faith, and
the enduring spirit of the American experience. The event will be hosted at
Loganberry Books, 13015 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120. The event
begins at 6:30pm with refreshments followed by a 7:00pm performance. Admission
is free, but advance reservations are recommended due to limited seating. A
suggested donation of $10 supports the featured poets and SHAC’s community arts
programming. For advance ticket reservations and more information visit
www.shakerartscouncil.org.

Donald King is a poet and storyteller whose work is shaped by a life of resilience and
reflection. Raised in foster care after his father abandoned the family, King spent
much of his youth navigating hardship and uncertainty. His life changed when his
wife, Ellie, encouraged him to write and share poetry. That encouragement sparked a
lifelong passion for language and expression. Now in his eighties, King continues to
share poems drawn from his lived experiences—stories of struggle, perseverance,
and humanity that resonate deeply with audiences.

Shaker Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts series is supported in part by the residents of
Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Shaker Heights, OH
May 7, 2026

On Friday and Saturday, June 19 -20, 2026 the Shaker Arts Council and Ohio
Contemporary Ballet are pleased to announce a collaboration performance, Ballet
Under the Stars as a part of Heart of the Arts. The event will be held at the OCBallet
Center, located in the same building as The Dealership, 3558 Lee Rd, Shaker
Heights, OH 44120. The performance begins at 7:00pm with an optional free ballet
classes for youth ages 3-12 at 6:00pm. Bring lawn chairs to comfortably enjoy the
performance. The show will go on if it rains. This event is free and open to the
public. For ticket reservations and more information visit
www.shakerartscouncil.org.

Ohio Contemporary Ballet (formerly Verb Ballets) has proudly served Northeast
Ohio for nearly four decades. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the company brings bold,
inspiring performances to the stage while fostering community both locally and
globally through the transformative power of dance. The company remains dedicated
to pushing the boundaries of contemporary ballet, fostering innovation, and
celebrating the power of dance to connect and inspire. Under the leadership of Dr.
Margaret Carlson, former principal dancer for the original Cleveland Ballet, and
Richard Dickinson, MFA, former Ohio Ballet dancer, OCBallet has earned
recognition as a premier dance company in the region.

Shaker Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts series is supported in part by the residents of
Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Shaker Heights, OH
April 9, 2026

The Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is pleased to announce Heart of the Arts, a new
performance series. Through poetry, music, and dance this series brings creative
expression to venues across Shaker Heights.

On Friday, May 22, 2026 the Shaker Arts Council will present Von James
Xperience: An Evening of Soulful Music. Enjoy powerful vocals and soulful music
from jazz and gospel to R &B, featuring vocalist Von James and the band, the Von
James Xperience. The performance will be held at the Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights OH 44122.
Advance tickets are $15 and at-the-door tickets are $20. Tickets include light
refreshments. The performance begins at 7:00pm followed by a Q & A and meet and
greet with the artists. For ticket reservations and more information visit
www.shakerartscouncil.org.

Von James is a Cleveland-based vocalist and actress known for her powerful blend
of jazz, gospel, and soul. She studied opera and jazz at Cleveland State University
and has performed with numerous bands and artists throughout Northeast Ohio and
beyond. Her career highlights include performing at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony under the musical direction of Paul Shaffer and opening for
national recording artists including Kem, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Dave Hollister,
and Shirley Murdock. She has also performed at the Tri-C Jazz Festival, Cain Park’s
Multi Music Jazz Festival, and the House of Blues Gospel Brunch.

Shaker Arts Council’s Heart of the Arts series is supported in part by the residents of
Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Shaker Heights, OH
March 27, 2026
The Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is pleased to announce Trail Tales, a new project
in partnership with the Shaker Heights Public Library. Planned to open in June, this
exhibit will be the first of an ongoing series of Trail Tales; the artwork will change
two-to-three times each year. Artwork will be presented as a series of images
arranged sequentially in front of the Bertram Woods branch library for the public to
enjoy. SHAC is sponsoring an art competition for the images to be displayed. The
inaugural project will feature photography and will celebrate Shaker Reads, the
Library’s annual summer reading program.

For this first show, SHAC is looking for photographers 18 years or older who live or
work in Shaker Heights. Applicants who reside in the Shaker Heights School
District or are a member of the Shaker Arts Council also are eligible. Applications
must be submitted no later than Friday 10 April at 5pm. For more information and to
download the call and application, visit www.shakerartscouncil.org

Shaker Arts Council’s Trail Tales is made possible in part by an investment of public funds
from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports
quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and
economically.

Shaker Heights, OH
November 10, 2025
Shaker Arts Council and Craft Kindship present a Holiday Art Market on
Saturday, December 13, 2025. This one-day pop-up is an opportunity to shop
for the holidays while supporting local and emerging artists of the Cleveland
Institute of Art students and alumni. The holiday Art Market will be held from
Noon - 9pm at the Van Aken District Market Hall – Next to Craft Collective,
3441 Tuttle Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122. Selections will include glass,
ceramics, jewelry, and other crafts and will start prior to Van Aken District’s
Chill and Toast. The event will include live metal working demos, and a kids
craft station. Bring the whole family for this fun shopping experience with
gifts for every age and price range. 20% of the proceeds will support the
Shaker Arts Council. For more information visit www.shakerartscouncil.org

Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is a volunteer nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich
the cultural fabric of Shaker Heights by establishing the arts as a vibrant and integral part of
the community. Our purpose is best described as "building the community through the arts
and building the arts through the community., SHAC also presents Shaker visual and
performing artists in events throughout the year.

Craft Kinship is a collective of artists based in Cleveland, all having originated from the
Cleveland Institute of Art. We value the hand-made, the high craft, and the fellowship of
makers. Our mission is to uplift craft artists, help facilitate their

gShaker Arts Council (SHAC) is proud to announce the unveiling of nine newly wrapped utility boxes. The designs are by local professional artists and one is the senior project of Shaker Heights High School’s recent graduate Brianna Hill.  This box, sponsored by the Shaker Heights High School PTO, can be viewed at the corner of Warrington and South Woodland Roads.
 
This year’s participating professional artists and their box locations are: 
Renee Parker Boyle, South Woodland and Attleboro Roads and also Shaker Square
Katie Clark, South Woodland Road and Courtland Boulevard
Sandra Graubard, Shaker Heights Fire Station on Chagrin
Sheila Reingold, North Moreland and Larchmere Boulevards
Nancy Schwartz-Katz, North Moreland Boulevard and Fairhill Road
Pam Spremulli, Lynnfield Road and Chagrin Boulevard
Michael Wagner, Kemper and Fairhill Roads
 
To celebrate these works of art, an unveiling reception will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 11 am – noon at the SW corner at Shaker Square in Cleveland.  A map of the location of the boxes ranging from figurative to abstract will be available.  Attendees are invited to meet the artists at the reception and the community-voted favorite design will be announced. The event is free and open to the public. 
 
Photos of the boxes can be viewed at SHAC’s Shaker Heights Public Art Tour. Blue Line and Green Line Tours can be accessed by computer or mobile device at shakerartscouncil.org. Everyone is invited to explore the tours in person or virtually.

 haker Arts Council’s Painting the Town is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Shaker Arts Council has received $70,814 from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture since 2009.
 
Shaker Arts Council’s Painting the Town Art Competition for Utility Box Designs is supported in part by the Flagstar Foundation.
 

Box designs were printed and installed by Diamond Signs & Graphics.

Shaker Heights, OH
 July 24, 2025
 
The Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is pleased to announce a new initiative: The Shaker Art Circle, a community of artists and creatives who gather regularly to draw, sketch, and paint in inspiring locations around Shaker Heights. This welcoming group is open to artists of all experience levels — from curious beginners to seasoned professionals.  Starting August 5, 2025, the circle will meet the first and third Tuesday of every month until the holiday season.  The inaugural gatherings will be held at 5:30 to 7:00 pm at The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120.   These events are free and open to adults 18 years or older.  For more information and to register, visit www.shakerartscouncil.org.
 

Shaker Heights, OH
January 24, 2025
 
Building on the success of nine years of traffic utility box projects, the Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is pleased to announce this year’s project: Painting the Town.  SHAC is sponsoring a juried art competition for the design of utility boxes located in Shaker Heights.
 
SHAC is looking for artists 21 years or older who live or work in Shaker Heights.  Applicants who reside in the Shaker Heights School District or are a member of the Shaker Arts Council also are eligible.  Designs and applications must be submitted no later than Friday 21 March at 5pm.  For more information and to download the call, application and template, visit www.shakerartscouncil.org.
 
Shaker Arts Council’s Painting the Town is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Shaker Arts Council has received $70,814 from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture since 2009.
 
Shaker Arts Council’s Painting the Town Art Competition for Utility Box Designs is supported in part by the Flagstar Foundation.
 

Shaker Heights, OH
September 4, 2024

Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is proud to announce the unveiling of five newly wrapped utility boxes. The designs are by local professional artists.
 
This year’s participating artists and their box locations are:
Kimberly Dailey, Shaker Square
Sheila Reingold, West Park Blvd and Shaker Blvd
Georgio Sabino III, South Park and Shaker Blvds  This box is interactive and features augmented reality when you scan the attached QR code.
Erinn Sneed, Van Aken Blvd and South Woodland Rd
Tanya Tate, Lee Rd and Parkland Drive
 
To celebrate these works of art, an unavailing reception will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 11 am – noon at the SE corner at Shaker Square in Cleveland.  A map of the location of the boxes ranging from whimsical to the abstract will be available.  Attendees are invited to meet the artists at the reception and the community-voted favorite design will be announced. The event is free and open to the public. 
 
Photos of the boxes can be viewed at SHAC’s Shaker Heights Public Art Tour. Blue Line and Green Line Tours can be accessed by computer or mobile device at shakerartscouncil.org. Everyone is invited to explore the tours in person or virtually.
 
Shaker Arts Council’s Painting the Town is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.  Shaker Arts Council has received 67,404 from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture since 2009.
 
Box designs were printed and installed by Diamond Signs & Graphics.