Tremont Vanguards

The transformation of Tremont has been swift and profound. Where once shuttered homes and dilapidated store fronts clung to life, now art galleries, chic restaurants, and luxury apartments crowd the narrow streets.  But before there were high-rises, there were artists – a bold creative class who saw the potential in the aging west side neighborhood.

On Wednesday, June 15th, the Artists Archives will host Tremont Vanguards, a virtual program which examines the role of the artists and innovators who transformed the crumbling Tremont neighborhood into the thriving creative community of today. Led by Mindy Tousley, former co-director of City Artists at Work, the moderated conversation will include Dr. Theresa Boyd, owner of Doubting Thomas Gallery, and foundational Tremont artists Jeff Chiplis, Terry Durst, and Angelica Pozo.

As artist Terry Durst describes, “I moved to Tremont in 1989…It was an old, rough neighborhood with buildings and streets textured much like the work I was already making, kind of decrepit. Jean Brandt was the first person I know of who opened her law office as a gallery and actually publicized the shows. I had the first show at her space and that was in 1990… Over this time many more galleries popped up and the Art Walk was created,” which still attracts throngs of visitors to this day.

During the 90s, Tremont became a creative laboratory where many members of Cleveland’s experimental art scene cut their teeth. Among their ranks were Steven B. Smith & Mother Dwarf, Jeff Chiplis, Terry Durst, Bruce Edwards, Frank Green, Dave Madigan, Mikel Mahoney, Jee Sun Park, Angelica Pozo, Tony Serna, Dan Tranberg, Douglas Max Utter, Laila Voss, Beth Wolfe, and later Dana Depew.

This 45-minute conversation will explore their artistic contributions and trace the area’s meteoric rise, as well as examine the double-edged sword of the gentrification that followed. As Terry Durst explains, “in the end, right before my partner Dan and I moved from Tremont to Collinwood, one day we went to [a popular restaurant] for lunch and were told we weren’t dressed well enough to be there. The rents were skyrocketing. That’s how the neighborhood changed for artists… Although I did love living in Tremont while I was there.”

To attend the free program, REGISTER ON ZOOM