Cleveland to Host National Public Art Exhibit Featuring Local Artists This Summer

CLEVELAND, OH — A national public art exhibition titled "The Stories of Us" will debut in Cleveland this summer, showcasing 20 large-scale sculptures created by artists from Cleveland and Detroit. The exhibition, a collaboration between real estate developer Bedrock and nonprofit organization The Stories of Us, will be displayed at two downtown locations: Skylight Park at Tower City Center starting May 30, and Mall C beginning June 14.

Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye, co-founder of The Stories of Us, emphasized the exhibition's role in fostering community and reflection. "Public art has the capacity to be a marker of shared space and a reminder of our collective humanity," she said. "Through The Stories of Us, we bring together communities to create common ground in cities across the country as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence."

The Cleveland segment will feature 10 sculptures by local artists, including Alicia Vasquez, Alyssa Lizzini, Brandon Graves, Da'Shaunae Marisa, Donald Black Jr., Gina Washington, Isaiah 'Starbeing' Williams, Jerome White, Leigh Brooklyn, and Nathalie Bermudez. These artists will complete their works during a residency inside Tower City. The exhibition at Mall C will coincide with the MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Fest on June 14 and will remain on display until August 13. Subsequently, the sculptures will join the Detroit artists' works at Skylight Park, where the combined exhibition will be on view until September 1.

Jason Russell, Vice President of Operations and Leasing at Bedrock, highlighted the exhibition's alignment with the company's initiatives. "Public art exhibitions such as The Stories of Us embody many of the themes that drive Bedrock’s initiatives across Cleveland; investment in local entrepreneurs, invigorating city pride and driving progress into the 21st century," he stated. "Bringing The Stories of Us to Tower City and to downtown Cleveland creates space for art and dialogue around Juneteenth and throughout the summer."

The exhibition is supported by the City of Cleveland, Downtown Cleveland Inc., Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation, ESSENCE, and PolicyLink. Rhonda Brown, Senior Strategist of Arts and Culture at the Mayor’s Office, expressed the city's enthusiasm. "The City of Cleveland is honored to host The Stories of Us at Mall C throughout summer 2025 as part of a powerful national movement that uplifts artists, celebrates community, and inspires civic pride leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence," she said. "We are especially proud to showcase ten Cleveland-based artists whose work will stand alongside peers from across the country."

The Stories of Us previously debuted in Detroit in the summer of 2024 and has since been exhibited at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Cleveland exhibition marks the latest installment in this national initiative aimed at exploring themes of equality and solidarity through public art.

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