Looking Back
CAN Triennial was conceived in 2016 to create a regionally focused answer to FRONT International Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art. The idea was fueled by the region’s galleries and artists seeking a forum for representation during the international festival. Lead support was provided by the Cleveland Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, University Hospitals, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, The City of Cleveland, Consolidated Solutions, and 78th Street Studios.
The inaugural CAN Triennial took place July 7 – 29, 2018 at 78th Street Studios.
Visual art curators were:
William Busta
William Busta Gallery
Curly Raven Holton
David C. Driskell Center for African American Art
Hilary Gent
HEDGE Gallery
Daniel Weninger
Oblique Orchestra
A regional music series was curated by:
Gabe Pollack
The Bop Stop
Angelica Pozo
Artist
Regional film screenings were curated by:
Rian Brown-Orso
Oberlin College
Robert Banks
Tri-C
The exhibit presented works of 90 artists, including 16 commissioned, site-specific installations. In its 3-week run, it was visited by 7,550 people.
Artists
commissioned installations
VISITORS
Exhibition Prizes
Exhibition Prizes were offered by regional museums, each of which chose an artist from the exhibit to present in a solo show in the coming years. The following institutions chose and presented exhibition prizes to the following artists:
ArtNeo
Christine Mauersberger
BAYarts
David King
Massillon Museum of Art
Rebecca Cross
Mansfield Art Center
Wadsworth Jarrell
Canton Museum of Art
Amy Casey
Purchase Prizes
Purchase Prizes were offered by regional collecting institutions, each of which chose a specific work from the exhibit to buy and add to their permanent collections. The following institutions awarded purchase prizes and acquired works from the following artists:
University Hospitals
Corrie Slawson
Cleveland Clinic
Jennifer Omaitz
Cleveland Art Association
Timothy Callaghan
Additionally, a People’s Choice Award was given by popular vote to Jonah Jacobs.
CAN staff chose Kristina Paabus to receive the inaugural CAN Journal Prize.
Separate from the exhibit itself, CAN organized the inaugural CAN Triennial Art Fair. Presented at 78th Street Studios SmArt Space, the fair drew 16 dealers and collectives from Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
Booths Included
Amber Ford Collective
ArtCraft Studio
Bonfoey Gallery
Carl Solway Gallery (Cincinnati)
Cleveland Print Room
Darius Steward Collective
Harris Stanton Gallery
Cleveland Skribe Tribe
Maria Neil Art Project
Michael Verne Collection
Robert Hartshorn Studio
Sherrie Gallery (Columbus)
Salon Collective
Watershed Artist Books
WGS Productions
Zygote Press