Visiting Artist: Cleveland Institute of Art

I had a fun-packed visit to the Cleveland Institute of Art earlier this week. Let me say that I visit a lot of Universities and Colleges each year--each visit is a little different, but overall its a similar schedule. Arrive, lecture, critique, demonstrate, visit with students and faculty, return home. Usually the schedule is over 2 days.

Glidden House at Night

This time I had one day--I was scheduled to do a video interview, 2 lectures and meet with students for individual critiques. I arrived Monday evening to stay at the Glidden House--a rather fancy hotel I must say...not your typical University hotel accommodation.

LOVED the phone in my room!

You know you are in a good hotel when there is Alex Katz artwork on the walls!

The next morning there was a full-on breakfast provided by the hotel. I was introduced to baked eggs. YUM!

After a video interviewand my first lecture we went for lunch in Little Italy. The lecture was all about my career as artist turned designer. It was great to be given the opportunity to lecture about my design process and the evolution of my career as a designer for the first time. The questions the students and faculty asked were fantastic! (I will post a link when the video is released--should be a good one!) 

pastries in the italian cafe where we had lunch 

CIA Faculty and amazing ceramic artist Bill Brouillard choosing his lunch.

After lunch I returned to the school for individual crits with students--thoroughly enjoyed the work they are making! Some of the students and faculty took me out for a family style dinner in Little Italy in a restaurant owned by a former CIA student. It was super delicious and fun.

CIA Faculty Judith Solomon introducing our fab dinner!

CIA Students and faculty out for dinner!

After my evening lecture in the CIA Auditorium (amazing attendance--thank you all who came!) There was a tea and cookie reception. My favorite part of the WHOLE trip had to be these cookies made by Christine Zadnik-Mehling of Better Bit of Butter a former jewelry student from CIA. She made cookies with my surface designs on them! GORGEOUS and DELICIOUS!

arent these SO adorable? 

With Christine of Better Bit of Butter at the post-lecture Tea Reception

Cookies pre-party!

Thank you to all at CIA for making my visit so lovely. I have to say it was the best visiting artist experience I have ever had!