The May Show: The Museum, The Community, & The Story of Art in Cleveland

The May Show. If you are a creative type in Cleveland, you’ve heard it mentioned, and likely in the same breath as some choice words concerning its removal. Hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art, the annual juried show served as a who’s who of regional artists for nearly 75 years until it was retired in 1993 due to mounting expense and the reallocation of resources towards national-level exhibitions.

Its cancellation sparked debates of revival for decades, but whether you miss it, love it, or hate it, the May Show played a huge role in the development of art in Cleveland. On May 12th, join the Artists Archives for The May Show: The Museum, The Community, & The Story of Art in Cleveland, a virtual panel discussion which examines the role of major museums in relation to the creative communities which surround them.

Moderated by Michael Gill, Executive Director of the Collective Arts Network (CAN), the program features Henry Adams (Case Western Reserve University), Key Jo Lee (Cleveland Museum of Art), and Steven Litt (The Plain Dealer). Spanning the worlds of academia, museums, and critical review, each panelist brings unique expertise and perspective to the conversation. Steven Litt, Art and Architecture Critic for Cleveland’s Plain Dealer since 1991, will share his intimate knowledge of the contemporary art scene both before and after the Show’s removal. Key Jo Lee, Director of Academic Affairs and Associate Curator of Special Projects at the Cleveland Museum of Art, is a transplant to the city, and self-described “new kid in town who has never experienced the May Show.” Lee will offer a fresh outlook and speak to an “alternate vision” of engagement which is “not driven by direct commodification.” Professor of Art History at Case Western, Henry Adams, has written extensively concerning early 20th century art in Cleveland and will contribute a solid historical framework, in addition to championing the Show’s return.

The discussion, however, will move far beyond the question of the Show’s revival. As moderator Michael Gill explains, “I want to create the next generation of May Show discussion…one which doesn’t just rehash conversations which have been had for decades but instead examines the relationship between the museum and the community, and imagines new possibilities of engagement.”

The May Show: The Museum, The Community, & The Story of Art in Cleveland is free and open to the public on the Zoom meeting platform. An audience Q & A will follow the discussion. To attend, please register here

Please note: this webinar is limited to 100 attendees. If capacity is reached, Zoom will give you the option to join the program via Facebook Live. Simply follow the prompts to view the presentation. If you would like to participate in the webinar directly on Zoom, we recommend logging on as close to 7pm as possible. The event will also be recorded and available on artistsarchives.org within the week.

Image Credit: May Show – Jewelry Craft Case, 1956, Negative # 36136, Cleveland Museum of Art Archives