18th People's Art Show
main gallery: october 24 to december 5
opening reception: fri october 24, 5-8pm
The People’s Art Show is a Cleveland tradition unique in the entire world. The idea was started in 1983 by professor emeritus Dr. John Hunter, who came up with the concept of a populist exhibition free from elitist prejudices and restrictions. There would be no taste police — the ‘People’ themselves would decide what is exhibited.
The rules are simple: each person, regardless of background, may exhibit two works of any size, medium, or subject. This year, about 300 artists submitted 500 works, and several thousand visitors are expected.
Over its twenty-three year history, the People’s Art show has served thousands of diverse artists of all possible backgrounds and circumstances. Many successful artists exhibited here for the very first time, and many more were inspired to pursue careers in art.
From 1983 to 1993, the exhibition was an annual event. Increasingly, however, some artists began to explore the uncensored aspect of the exhibition by “pushing the envelope” of public taste and propriety. In 1994, after much media attention, intense public discourse, and a year-long self study, the Art Faculty converted the show to a biennial event allowing the exhibition to cool off between shows returning the event to its original roots – a forum for unrestricted expressions of personal taste and values!
As an exercise in esthetic democracy, the People’s Art Show has become part of our community. It has served as a battleground for ‘first amendment’ issues, as a forum for the role of art in contemporary society, and as an outlet for creativity at the grassroots level. In short, the People’s Art Show is more than an amateur art exhibition -- it is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and imagination!
Robert Thurmer
Art Gallery Director
Opening reception with live art performances: Friday, October 24, at 5-8pm. Other events TBA.
Drop-off dates: Friday and Saturday, October 10 and 11, from 10am-4pm.
Any person may exhibit 2 original works of art of any size in any medium. All entries are exhibited.
Pick-up dates: Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6, 10am-4pm.
Previous People's Art Shows online: 14 (2000) - 15 (2002) - 16 (2004) - 17 (2006)
