78th Street Studios — Attraction in Cleveland

Well, Google, since you asked... I wasn't planning on sharing my thoughts but your question of How was 78th Street Studios compels me to answer. This is a tremendous Cleveland event that for many, many years has given artists a chance to show their work. Every month on a third Friday the complex is open to the public. Other than that day, it is primarily the home for artists of great skill to maintain their private working Studios. To that end, 78th Street continues to be a leader and model for the nation. But today I saw, amongst the invited artists and craftsmen, a meager display. I'm not speaking of the artists who lease space for their studios but of the invited artists to share their work. One in particular caught my eye, someone who apparently decided to appropriate the images of prominent 19th and 20th century artists, reprint and amend their work and, in framed displays not much greater than 8 x 10s, ask $1,000 apiece. This is shameful. In 2018 I was invited to showcase my art, when I arrived the person in charge accused me of misrepresenting my work. It was all original but some varied from what was initially submitted. I held my ground though simultaneously humiliated. But I sold about have of my displayed work, probably 8 pieces out of 15 or 16. I made less than $2,000 but it was a worthwhile experience. This person selling bizarre recreations for $1k apiece makes no sense. The quality of work being shown on 3rd Friday has declined precipitously. Something should be done about this. Thank you. I'll...

My wife and I chose the smART space at 78th for our wedding after we visited the space for a fundraiser and one of their “third Fridays” event. When checking the out, we were introduced to Hilary Gent, who runs the HEDGE gallery on the floor above. Hilary informed us that she was also an event planner for the space, and after only a few minutes with her we knew we needed to enlist her services. We did, and it was easily the best money we spent for our wedding. Hilary and her team of Adam and Kelli were so great to work with through our two-year engagement – they responded to emails promptly, didn’t get frustrated with us when we bombarded them with questions, and really delivered an amazing wedding for us. Booking an art gallery for our wedding, we really wanted a creative touch, and Hilary and her team totally knocked it out of the park. Our flowers (another service Hilary provides) were incredible, easily the most beautiful flowers we have ever seen at a wedding. The table setups and arrangements were exquisitely done, and our ceremony (in Hilary’s HEDGE gallery), was something that only existed in our dreams. Hilary contacted all of our vendors for us, made sure all deliveries were on time, and really just took all the hassle out of planning such a significant event. We do not think our wedding could have been any better, we were beyond thrilled with how everything turned out and have Hilary, Adam, and Kelli to thank...

Over the years, 78th Street Studios has become one of our favorite spots to explore as a family with a toddler. As art lovers, we appreciate the variety of galleries, independent studios, and creative businesses that make every visit feel fresh and inspiring. The old warehouse industrial setting with wide labyrinth of hallways, exposed brick, and large windows adds to the charm, creating an inviting space to discover local talent.

We’ve particularly enjoyed Third Fridays, when the studios come alive with music, food, and interactive exhibits. While some galleries feel more adult oriented, we’ve always found welcoming artists happy to engage with our curious toddler. Sculptures, vibrant paintings, and mixed media pieces often capture her attention and she loves peeking into open studios. A few spots even offer hands on activities and toys to play with, making it a surprisingly kid friendly experience.

Logistics wise, the space is stroller friendly except for the stairs, also some areas get crowded. Parking is usually manageable, don’t be afraid to step in a puddle, arriving early helps. When available, the food vendors have decent options, though we’d love to see more vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

Overall, 78th Street Studios has been a wonderful, evolving experience and a place where we can introduce our child to the arts while still enjoying an inspiring evening out. It’s become a staple in our family’s...