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After a disrupted and rootless youth that resulted in his being put on a chain gang for illegally riding freight trains, an experience that gave him "a sudden and harsh maturing," muralist Elmer Brown came to Cleveland in 1929. He associated with Karamu House, working as an actor and stage designer, and was awarded a scholarship for professional training to hone his natural artistic talent. Brown, a painter and printmaker, exhibited in the annual May Shows at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and in New York City and Philadelphia with the group Karamu Artists.
His work for the WPA included stage scenery, ceramic sculpture, graphic arts, and these murals. Brown was assisted in their execution by art student apprentices supported by another depression-era program, the National Youth Administration. Brown taught art in Cleveland for several years. In 1953 he was hired by American Greetings Corporation where he was the first African-American illustrator on the staff, and where he worked until his death in 1971. |
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In 2005, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) began to demolish Valleyview in order to build a new housing project. The ICA was hired to remove the two murals from the walls of the Community Center. After a protective layer of facing tissue was applied, the murals were rolled on large-diameter tubes and stored until ICA began the conservation treatment in 2008.
Among the many steps of the year-long treatment was the recreation of the pinnacle of the Terminal Tower in the right-hand mural. This area had been cut out to accommodate a ceiling beam when the mural was originally installed at Valleyview, but a period image of the mural showed how the missing piece had looked. The murals were lined with canvas and edged with grommets for hanging. Thanks to a long-term agreement between CMHA and Cleveland State University, the murals are now displayed in the beautiful new Student Center on Euclid Avenue, while slightly smaller reproductions of them have been placed in CMHA's new housing project, Tremont Pointe. |
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All ICA members and friends are cordially invited to join Cuyahoga County Executve Edward Fitzgerald, as well as other civic leaders and ICA conservators, for a reception celebrating the completion of this important project!
Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Time: 6:00PM to 7:30PM (program at 6:30PM) Location: Cleveland State University Student Center Ballroom, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115 Hors d'oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine will be served. Please RSVP by April 18, 2011 to Matt Jurns at [email protected] or 216.658.8700. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Cleveland Foundation, City Architecture, Marous Brothers Construction, and VIP Restoration. Thank you! |
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Nicole M. Hayes, Director of Education and External Relations
Intermuseum Conservation Association
p: 216-658-8700 f: 216-658-8709
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