Buckeye-Shaker GIS

Charting a course for systemic change.

Art x Love taught students and residents geospatial analysis (ArcGIS) and mapped every sidewalk and intersection in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood. We assessed the condition of roadways, sidewalks, structures, greenery, litter, visibility, perception of safety, and pinpointed ideas for improvement. This data has mobilized residents, guided new partnerships, and is informing transformational investments.

Steps to Equity was selected as the opening presentation on Equity & Social Justice at the 2022 Esri User Conference in San Diego, CA.

Superior Hill Park

In the summer of 2022, Art x Love was engaged by Warehouse District and Downtown Cleveland Alliance to create a transformative mural for the space they refer to as “Superior Hill Park,” located on W. Superior Ave. & W. 9th Street, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

We created a worksheet to collect ideas and aspirations from the community, and from the dozens of submissions received, identified themes of hope and historic reference for concept development. Mac Love power-washed and primed the area, painted the asphalt art and mural, and finished it with an anti-graffiti coating.

The Superior Hill Park mural depicts a child blowing a kiss that is travels through time and space along the Cuyahoga River by historic modes of transportation. “Hold fast to dreams” is a line from Langston Hughes’ poem, Dreams, and was included as call for hope.

The Village Activity Book

Educating, informing, and inspiring a community.

In 2020, The Muldoon Center for Entrepreneurship at John Carroll University received a $50,000 Verizon grant to support “new programs and projects that empower children and residents to build a stronger, more connected community.” Art x Love was engaged to produce two projects in collaboration with neighborhood residents and John Carroll University students. First we completed the Steps to Equity GIS walkability assessment of Buckeye-Shaker, and then we leveraged those insights to create The Village Activity Book.

3,000 copies of The Village Activity Book were distributed across the neighborhoods of Buckeye-Shaker and Woodland Hills. Hundreds of submissions were received, scanned, analyzed, and are now inspiring and informing new community initiatives and neighborhood investment.

Rockefeller Park Field Guide

In 2020, Art x Love was engaged by University Circle to create The Rockefeller Park Field Guide, an 8-page activity book that focuses on Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens. The book includes a mix of educational content, maps of the park, and participatory design exercises for residents and visitors alike.

To create the activity book, our team toured the park by foot, bike, and car. We also interviewed residents and local stakeholders to understand key equities and opportunities for learning.

The Rockefeller Park Field Guide has been a key part of local community collaborative events with University Circle and Recess Cleveland, encouraging playful exploration of The Cultural Gardens while inspiring new ideas for future park improvements.

Visit University Circle to learn more and download your own copy of The Rockefeller Park Field Guide.

@PLAY Silent Discos

Liven up your event with Silent Disco! Art x Love has 200 silent disco headsets and 3 transmitters that are available to rent for parties, events, fundraisers, and interactive experiences in northeast Ohio. We’ve used these headsets to produce interactive neighborhood cleanups, birthday parties, guided meditation, yoga, history tours, and more.

Email contact@artxlove.com or call 330.238.8588 to learn more about pricing and availability for your next event.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does it cost?

It’s $5.00 per headset per day, and $20 per transmitter per day.

Shipping, delivery, and pickup

We do not ship our headsets. Pickup is available from Art x Love Studios, Monday-Friday from 10am-4pm or by appointment. Our address is 1969 N Cleveland Massillon Rd., Akron, OH 44333

We can deliver and pick-up the equipment for additional fee.

Do you provide DJ’s?

Yes, we can help you book DJ’s for an additional fee (typically $50/hr per DJ).

How do the headsets work?

Each cordless headset has a power switch, volume control, and three audio channels with LED lights that glow blue, red, or green depending on which channel you listen to. Each channel is specially tuned to the unique frequency of a transmitter.

How do the transmitters work?

Each transmitter has a power cable, power switch, antenna, channel control (1-3), left/right audio ports, and comes with an audio cable that can be plugged into computers, phones, microphones, and can be configured to work with all audio sources. Once plugged in and connected to an audio device, the transmitter sends that audio to whichever channel of the headset you’d like. We recommend using 2-3 transmitters for all Silent Disco events.

Still don’t get it?

Participants get to choose which channel of audio they want to listen to. If you rent 3 transmitters you can have Channel #1 connected to a DJ, Channel #2 connected to an iPod, and Channel #3 connected to a phone. This allows users three different and unique audio experiences to choose from.

What is the equipment’s range?

50-100 yards depending on the number of obstructions (floors, walls, buildings, etc.).

What happens if they get wet or break?

This equipment is NOT weatherproof. Any loss, damage, or breakage will result in a replacement fee of $40.00 per headset, $250.00 per transmitter, and $20.00 per audio cable.

What are the product specs & features?

Our @PLAY Silent Disco headsets are an open wireless RF stereo headphone system. Each headset has a folding design for easy storage, and vibrant LED lights on both sides. The headsets and transmitters use detailed analytical sound reproduction with strong bass response. Soft ear pads offer superior comfort and noise cancellation. The wireless headsets offer a range of freedom and movement with reception through walls and ceilings.

Can you give me the technical data?

System: UHF/RF 
Modulation: FM 
Mode: stereo 
Channel option: 3 channels 
LED lights: Blue, Red, Green 
Signal-to-noise ratio: >75dB 
THD: <1% 
Speaker: 40mm mylar 
Frequency response: 30~20000Hz 
Channel separation: >35dB 
Operation time: 10 hours 
Charging time: 3 hours 
Power supply: Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery (500mAh)

Parks Unlimited

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The Trust for Public Land engaged Art x Love to create a community activity book that could inspire and inform development of the new Clark Avenue Park in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood.

This project launched at the start of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic, and was intentionally designed to safely engage residents of all ages and provide opportunities for community expression, connection, and learning through participatory design.

We walked dozens of streets throughout the neighborhood and surrounding areas, and interviewed residents along the way to understand the specific challenges, experiences, and opportunities they would like to see addressed. This feedback was baked into every page of the Parks Unlimited Activity Book to provide residents with an authentic platform to express themselves and share their aspirations for the future. Art x Love also worked with local leaders and community organizations to develop a plan for the safe distribution and collection of activity books across the neighborhood.

The Parks Unlimited Activity Book is free and available to download in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. Participants had a chance to win numerous prizes including a computer, iPad, basketballs, activity buckets, games, and more. At least one lucky winner will also see their vision come to life in the form of a public art installation or placemaking transformation.

Photo: TPL Ohio Staff

Photo: TPL Ohio Staff

Photo: TPL Ohio Staff

History in Chalk

In the summer of 2019, Art x Love created the "Who is Levi Johnson?" chalk mural for Cleveland’s Take a Hike program in the Historic Warehouse District. Our work included cleaning and repainting the vandalized walls, and working with the Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation to create an iconic mural to support tourism and local events. The mural was designed to last for several weeks, was embraced by the community, and remained unspoiled for 2 years.

Levi Johnson came to Cleveland in 1809 and was famous for building ships and homes for early settlers. In 1812, he built the first courthouse and jailhouse in Cuyahoga County, on the northwest corner of Public Square. In 1830 he built Cleveland's first lighthouse, and is remembered as an outstanding ship builder who contributed to the growing trade business throughout the Great Lakes. By the time of his death in 1871, he had continuously lived in Cleveland longer than any other person. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery.

“We’ve got such a positive response. It draws awareness and pride to historic aspects of the neighborhood”

– Eileen Cassidy, Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation

Following the success of the “Who is Levi Johnson?” chalk mural, Art x Love was engaged again to create a "Rockefeller Snow Scene" mural for the Historic Warehouse District’s winter programs.

John D. Rockefeller, the famous industrialist and philanthropist, came in Cleveland in 1853 and was an assistant bookkeeper who rose to become one the wealthiest men in the history of the United States. Rockefeller organized and directed Standard Oil Co., and was involved in numerous local business ventures including the Cleveland Arcade Co. and the construction of the Rockefeller Building in 1905 (pictured in the mural). His charitable donations were extensive and include more than $865,000 worth of land donated to the City of Cleveland for use as parks. The mural depicts Rockefeller with his grandson, Fowler McCormick, walking through the streets on a snowy night.

“You feel good when you walk by it.”

– Eileen Cassidy, Historic Warehouse District Development Corporation

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Read more:

”Cleveland chalk mural still here, brightening the space under the Main Avenue Bridge”
– Channel 19 News, Cleveland

Silent Disco Dustup

In 2017-2018, our @PLAY Akron project explored every street in Akron’s 24 neigborhoods and interviewed more than 2,000 residents. Our research revealed many different neighborhood priorities, but cleaner streets, neighborhood festivals, and stronger neighborhood identity were commonly sited interests. We asked ourselves, can we do all three?

The Silent Disco Dustup was conceived of as "the most fun neighborhood cleanup imaginable.” Participants received silent disco headsets, pedometers, cleaning gear, and were accompanied by two DJs and a supply vehicle for refreshments and additional tools.

We designed 1-mile routes through neighborhood corridors that have a high degree of litter but are not frequently targeted for cleanup. Each route featured signs with historic anecdotes and little-known-facts about the neighborhood. Participants were encouraged to dance and clean their way through the corridor(s), and those who racked up the most steps received prizes, including hand-made gifts and coupons to local businesses.

Some people travelled 50+ miles to participate for these unique silent disco experiences. Everyone had a great time, made new friends, and learned a lot about the community.

Wind, Water, & Sails

Art x Love produced a collaborative mural that was painted by hundreds of attendees over 2 days at Cleveland's Tall Ships Festival. Participants were invited to pick a color, pick a brush, and paint whatever the wind, water, and sails inspired. The mural was finished as a creative performance on day 2. Our team of local artists featured Nichole Epps, Dray Evans, Lindsey Jo Scott, Amy Day, Brett Drummond, and Mac Love. Attendees made the most of the opportunity to create, inspire, and capture memories as the mural evolved with the elements.

Playhouse Scare

Playhouse Square's annual Halloween pub crawl needed a spark to raise awareness, generate excitement, and lead people to the party. Art x Love was hired to lead development of 20 chalk murals for the day of the event.

We develop a plan for 2 preliminary murals to support marketing and 18 additional murals at strategic locations within Playhouse Scare's pub crawl perimeter. Working with a team of Cleveland artists, we created a range of murals to excite, inspire, and provoke engagement.

Sadly, four of our designs were too successful. Cleveland's Police, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, and Playhouse Square all received calls demanding the immediate removal of the Minion, Donald Trump, Kim Jong-Frankenstein, and Kim Jon-Vampire chalk murals. We complied, and though we regret the trouble this caused, the experience was certainly worthwhile.

Team
Mac Love
Dean Skinner
Melinda Placko