THE
FIRST CLEVELAND BIENNIAL JURIED EXHIBITION
November
2 to December 15, 2001
juror's statement preamble and procedures main page
D i r e c t o r ' s S t a t e m e n t
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The concept for the Cleveland Biennial developed from discussions among members of the Cleveland State University Art Faculty regarding the need for a juried exhibition that would provide a professional forum for the many talented artists of the region – an exhibition that would be both a showcase for established artists and an opportunity for emerging ones, a function of the former May Show of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Biennial cannot replace the May Show, but it pays tribute to it -- if not in scope, tradition, and resources, then in spirit and intent. For the Cleveland Biennial, media will alternate in cycles. This first exhibition is dedicated to Painting and Sculpture; Photography/Digital Imaging and New Genres will be the focus in 2003; Crafts and Works on Paper will be shown in 2005. We believe that the biennial nature of this show together with the rotation of media will avoid redundancy and audience boredom -- one of the typical problems of annual regional juried exhibitions. As with all new ideas, this one will need refining and revision, but our hope is that by offering this exhibition opportunity to the artists of the Western Reserve, Cleveland State University will make a positive contribution to the cultural landscape of Northeast Ohio for both artists and audiences. It will also serve as an important counterweight to the non-juried all-media People's Art Show, long on our schedule. Robert Thurmer, Art Gallery Director |