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| Patsy Kline |
6/13/05
epitome magazine
The Business of Being A Woman
Passion for Art: Patsy Kline's Gallery Ü
by Terry Sternin
epitomemag.com
The development of a non-commercial art gallery is a difficult and costly task. The few galleries in Cleveland that historically promoted innovative art, such as Howard Wise Gallery in the mid-'50s, Nina Sandell Gallery in the late '60s-early '70s, and Ross Widen, who had a run of nearly 30 years, all had a tough time. Howard Wise relocated to New York and became a premier gallery. Nina Sandell eventually closed her Gallery and also returned to New York. Ross Widen Gallery gradually became an art supply/gift store/frame shop just to stay in business.
Patsy Kline, owner and director of Gallery Ü Cleveland, is a throwback to the aforementioned art dealers: a Peggy Guggenheim with a kinder disposition but without the endowment. Kline wants to revitalize excitement in this segment of the Cleveland art scene by exhibiting works by the vanguard of current local artists and nationally recognized, established artists who have strong ties to Cleveland. Her dedication to this pursuit is born out of a love for art and recognition of a need to preserve, promote and advance the greater Cleveland communities' current art history.
Gallery Ü is a grass-roots undertaking situated in the growing gallery community of the Colonial Marketplace ARTcade in downtown Cleveland. The ARTcade's purpose is to support the development of a downtown gallery district by providing a welcoming venue where contemporary art can be viewed and collected. Kline's vision for Gallery Ü is to present art that generates growth, narrates the emotional expressions of the unconscious, fosters change and encourages creativity.
Asked how art impacts everyday life, Kline explained, "Art is a huge part of our daily lives. Most of us aren't aware of it as we are inclined to think that art is something we analyze in galleries, museums, or on the lounge walls of the rich and famous. We are misinformed, however, with such a simple view. Art is much more than home décor for the affluent. Art is all around us, over us, under us, through us. Art is an inextricable part of our lives. It is in our best interest to identify and understand art and its many forms. Once we appreciate the images we are faced with and understand their meanings, the more we are able to grasp the profound effects of art on our lives."
Kline's passion for art and her innovative approach to running a gallery have inspired several close friends to collaborate to expand and enhance the gallery and its offerings. Ed and Tracy van der Kuil help bring in new artists and performers to the space, Shelly Gracon assists with media relations, promotions and events (see related article on Shelly), and local artist Michael McNamara assists with installing works in the gallery. McNamara will also exhibit his paintings at the gallery in October
This collaboration resulted in the first exhibition/fundraiser, ReThinkPink, held at Gallery Ü last February. The goal of the event was to raise awareness of the importance of breast self-exams through self-painted breast prints created by local women (and men). It was a remarkable success. Kline looks forward to the support and energy that fueled this effort to expand her unique vision for the gallery and the ARTcade space as a whole.
The third Friday of each month the ARTcade features ARTwalk from 5-9 p.m. in which all the galleries participate.