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Jun 27, 2025-Jan 4, 2026 Erykah Townsend "Happy" Holidays Jun 27, 2025-Jan 4, 2026 Erykah Townsend, Memorials , 2025 (detail). Vintage handmade and manufactured ornaments collection, wire, 32 x 37 In (81.28 x 93.98 cm). Courtesy of the artist. “Happy” Holidays , the first solo museum exhibition of multimedia artist Erykah Townsend, explores how consumerism shapes Christmas. Rather than a joyous time, this season can create high expectations and financial stress, especially for those with limited means. Townsend blends humor with earnest reflection to examine Western commercialism and how shopping and spending have consumed Christmas. Drawing on, art history, pop culture, allegory, and advertising, Townsend satirizes and critiques the holiday “one-upmanship” that happens during this time. This focused study extends Townsend’s ongoing exploration of commercialism’s influence on our lives. As she states, “I use pop culture as a medium itself - exploring the spaces it fills in our lives and questioning how real is the imaginary." Townsend began developing “Happy” Holidays during her 2022 moCa residency. She received her BFA in painting from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2020. moCa AIR is supported by Margaret Cohen & Kevin Rahilly. “Happy” Holidays is supported by The Satellite Fund, administered by SPACES and funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program. About the Artist Erykah Townsend Erykah Townsend , also known as E.T., is a conceptual artist from Cleveland, Ohio. Her art boldly confronts and questions the role of pop culture in our lives. She states, “I use pop culture as a medium itself—exploring the spaces it fills in our lives and the inquiry of how real are the imaginary." Through reflective and humorous narratives, Townsend references art history and critiques consumerism and western culture, using characters, cultural icons, and objects as allegories for her criticism. In addition, her work includes elements from their original sources, providing the audience with a fresh and sentimental encounter. Townsend received her BFA in painting from The Cleveland Institute of Art in 2020.

moCa Cleveland brings art now through free exhibitions and events. All ages welcome. Free daily admission. NEW SEASON. NOW OPEN! UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS OPENING Jan 30 OHIO NOW: State of Nature OPENING Jan 30 SKY HOPINKA The Myth is Now OPENING Jan 30 KING COBRA When You are Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea OPENING Jan 30 HOMING INSTINCT Letting Go of the Shore January 30, 2026 2026 Opening Night Celebration + more February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special + more All Events VISIT moCa's building is CLOSED as we prepare for a new season of art. Opening Night: Jan 30 ◼ After Jan 30 Thursdays & Fridays 1-8PM Saturdays & Sundays 11AM-5PM ◼ Gallery Admission FREE for all who live & learn in Ohio & all youth under 18 $10 Adults outside of Ohio EVENTS NEW SEASON. NOW OPEN! ▶ ART NOW, IN PROGRESS ... ▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit. ▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit.▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit.▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit. ▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit. ▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit. ▶ moCa WILL BE CLOSED ON THU. NOV 20 for the Futureland Summit. UPCOMING Exhibitions OPENING Jan 30 OHIO NOW: State of Nature Events January 30, 2026 2026 Opening Night Celebration February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special All Events OPENING Jan 30 SKY HOPINKA The Myth is Now OPENING Jan 30 KING COBRA When You are Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea OPENING Jan 30 HOMING INSTINCT Letting Go of the Shore NOW through Jan 4 Beverly Semmes The Dresses OPENING Jan 30 OHIO NOW State of Nature OPENING Jan 30 SKY HOPINKA The Myth is Now OPENING Jan 30 KING COBRA When You are Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea OPENING Jan 30 HOMING INSTINCT Letting Go of the Shore UPCOMING Exhibitions Events Upcoming Exhibitions Events Opening Jan. 24 Harminder Judge Bootstrap Paradox January 30, 2026 2026 Opening Night Celebration February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special All Events Upcoming Exhibitions Events Opening Jan. 24 Harminder Judge Bootstrap Paradox January 30, 2026 2026 Opening Night Celebration February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special All Events Opening Jan. 24 Gala Porras-Kim A Hand in Nature Opening Jan. 24 Birthing Beautiful Communities Dear Opening Jan. 24 Gala Porras-Kim A Hand in Nature Opening Jan. 24 Birthing Beautiful Communities Dear TONIGHT'S EVENT IS SOLD OUT! SOLD OUT Thursdays & Fridays 1-8PM FREE for those who live & learn in Ohio & all youth under 18 $10 Adults outside of Ohio NEWS Marcella Brown Leads moCa Cleveland Board as President The change includes new Board Officer appointments and three new Board Directors. +more January 30, 2026 2026 Opening Night Celebration February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special All Events Our mission: Art Now, in progress... +more NEW DROP MIDWEST KIDS x moCa Cleveland Wear art every day with this limited-edition collab. +more Thursdays & Fridays 1-8PM FREE for those who live & learn in Ohio & all youth under 18 $10 Adults outside of Ohio Visit moCa is CLOSED as we prepare for a new season of art. Opening: Jan 30. ◼ After Jan 30 Thursday & Friday 1-8PM Saturday & Sunday 11AM-5PM Thursdays & Fridays 1-8PM Saturdays & Sundays 11AM-5PM ◼ Gallery Admission FREE for all who live & learn in Ohio & youth under 18 $10 Adults who live outside Ohio Thursdays & Fridays 1-8PM FREE for those who live & learn in Ohio & all youth under 18 $10 Adults outside of Ohio News All News Press Release: Marcella Brown leads moCa Cleveland Board as President + more NewCity Art: Ineffable Portals: A Review of Harminder Judge at Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland + more CAN Journal: When Expectant Mother's Have A Village. Birthing Beautiful Communities Dear at moCa + more ▶ ART NOW, IN PROGRESS ...

DONOR MEMBERSHIP ◼ DONOR MEMBERSHIP ◼ DONOR MEMBERSHIP ◼ DONOR MEMBERSHIP ◼ DONOR MEMBERSHIP ◼ DONOR MEMBERSHIP ◼ DONOR MEMBERSHIP GENERAL MEMBERSHIP Your membership brings you closer to today’s art and artists and helps keep moCa open to all. GENERAL MEMBER $75 Free daily admission Semi-Annual Member Breakfast Member Cocktail Guided exhibition tours & special experiences Member appreciation gifts and incentives Early invitations and discount to special programs and moCa’s annual Benefit 20% off moCa merchandise (excluding artist editions) Join NOW DISCOUNTED GENERAL $50 All General benefits at a special rate for students, artists, seniors, healthcare professionals, veterans/military, or educators. Join NOW ASSOCIATE Member $150 All General benefits for one person, plus: Reciprocal privileges at more than 1,000 Ohio & national museums Membership to the North American Reciprocal Museum Member Association Membership in Mod/Co Modern and Contemporary Reciprocal Membership Join NOW ASSOCIATE+ MEMBER $250 All Associate Member benefits for two people. Join NOW MORE ways to support ▶ moCa NOW ▶ Donor Membership ▶ Corporate Membership ▶ Annual Fund WANT TO GO DEEPER? Check out the moCa NOW Donor Membership Levels. + more Questions? Contact Hannah Ayers, Development Manager at hayers@moCacleveland.org or 216.658.6921. ◼ Insider Circle ◼ $500-$999 Access to semiannual exhibition supporter previews and all General Member events including brunches.* Join NOW ● Patron Circle ● $1,000-$2,499 Experience select quarterly VIP moCa NOW events that bring you closer to art and culture.* Join NOW ■ Curator Circle ■ $2,500-$4,999 Delight in monthly curated moCa NOW events, private access to artists and curators, and exclusive culinary adventures.* Join NOW ★ Director Circle ★ $5,000+ Enjoy the full spectrum of moCa NOW, including premium invitations to international art fairs, high-profile collaborations, and once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences.* Join NOW

Date Title One sentence desciption + more Add a Title Add a Title Title + more Add a Title Add a Title Title + more 9PM-Midnight Sat. February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special GET TICKETS at moCa Cleveland $25 advance; $30 at door Welcome to Red Light Special, a silent disco where art, sound, and style collide. Slide on some red, grab a pair of headphones, and lose yourself in equal parts glow, groove, and galleries. Move how you want. Choose your channel from 3 DJs , s ip from the cash bar and try fresh bites on the Plaza by moCa's front door. Dress Code: Red Ages: 18+ Interactive Art & Exhibitions: Explore moCa’s exhibitions with exclusive after-hours access.All museum galleries will be open to explore the art throughout the night Drinks: Enjoy specialty cocktails available at our cash bar. Why Attend? This Silent Disco is more than just a party—it celebrates creativity, individuality, and connection. Dance to your own beat, immerse yourself in moCa's exhibitions, and showcase your unique style in an unforgettable setting. Refund policy: Refunds only granted 7 days in advance of the event.

Date Title One sentence desciption + more Add a Title Add a Title Title + more Add a Title Add a Title Title + more Sat. February 28, 2026 Silent Disco: Red Light Special 9PM-Midnight at moCa Cleveland $25 advance; $30 at door GET TICKETS Welcome to Red Light Special, a silent disco where art, sound, and style collide. Slide on some red, grab a pair of headphones, and lose yourself in equal parts glow, groove, and galleries. Move how you want. Choose your channel from 3 DJs , s ip from the cash bar and try fresh bites on the Plaza by moCa's front door. Dress Code: Red Ages: 18+ Interactive Art & Exhibitions: Explore moCa’s exhibitions with exclusive after-hours access.All museum galleries will be open to explore the art throughout the night Drinks: Enjoy specialty cocktails available at our cash bar. Why Attend? This Silent Disco is more than just a party—it celebrates creativity, individuality, and connection. Dance to your own beat, immerse yourself in moCa's exhibitions, and showcase your unique style in an unforgettable setting. Refund policy: Refunds only granted 7 days in advance of the event.

Contact moCa for more information on the art, events, programs, or other questions you may have. Contact us Email info@moCacleveland.org Call 216.421.8671 Message First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Submit Sign Up for moCa News Email* First name Last name Submit

moCa News For press inquiries, please contact Tom Poole, Senior Operations Officer, at tpoole@moCacleveland.org . Press Release: Marcella Brown leads moCa Cleveland Board as President Aug 6, 2025 Read More NewCity Art: Ineffable Portals: A Review of Harminder Judge at Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Feb 3, 2025 Read More CAN Journal: When Expectant Mother's Have A Village. Birthing Beautiful Communities Dear at moCa Feb 1, 2025 Read More Art News: Ruben Ulises Rodriguez Montoya Sculpts Vampires and Nahuales—But Do Not Be Afraid Oct 11, 2024 Read More WKYC: How Two 55-Year-Old Organizations are Talking About Innovating Affordable Housing Aug 27, 2024 Read More Forbes: Ultimate Guide To A Luxury Trip To Cleveland Aug 6, 2024 Read More Press Release: moCa Cleveland names DJ Hellerman Deputy Director & Senior Curator Jul 9, 2024 Read More Cleveland Scene: moCa Cleveland Opens its Summer/Fall Season With Three New Exhibitions Jul 1, 2024 Read More Inside Climate News: Fighting for a foothold in American law, the Rights of Nature Movement finds new possibilities in a change of venue: the arts Feb 4, 2024 Read More Press Release: moCa Cleveland unveils new Mission, Vision, and Values Jan 30, 2024 Read More Press Release: New exhibitions at moCa Cleveland by Manabu Ikeda, Andrea Bowers, and BlackBrain uplift nature and sacred human experience Jan 16, 2024 Read More Art in America: Finnegan Shannon's Exhibition on a Conveyor Belt Alleviates Museum Fatigue Nov 7, 2022 Read More

Collaborations moCa builds partnerships through mutual respect and shared purpose. We work with artists, organizations, and neighbors to spark dialogue, deepen impact, and connect art to everyday life. This season's program partners: Past collaborations: Instituitional Residencies Institutional Residencies Exhibition Title + more Dates Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Artist Residencies Add a Title + more Add a Title Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Artist Residency Institutional Residencies Exhibition Title + more Dates Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Artist Residencies Add a Title + more Add a Title Add a Title Start Now Add a Title + more Museum of Creative Human Art x moCa Institutional Residency + more Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center & moCa Institutional & Artist Residency Institutional Residencies Exhibition Title + more Dates Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Add a Title Start Now Add a Title Artist Residencies Add a Title + more Add a Title Add a Title Start Now Add a Title +more +more + more designExplorr Design Learning Challenge Workshops + more T.E.A.M. Teen Engagement Ambassadors at moCa + more AIR: Erykah Townsend Artist-in-residence + more Getting to Know: Finnegan Shannon Artist residency + more AIR: Amber N. Ford Artist-in-residence + more Getting to Know: Aram Han Sifuentes Artist residency + more AIR: Joyce Morrow Jones Artist-in-residence

moCa Connect is a bi-monthly event series that connects people through art, music, culture, and game changing influencers in our creative space. Big Duke Sat. Jul 20, 2024 9PM-1:30AM +more moCa Connect is a bi-monthly event series that connects our community through art, music, culture and game changing influencers in our creative space. Each c-o-n-n-e-c-t is a special, one-night experience with 500+ people, centered around an artist’s vision, creative process, and personal connections. Get immersed and inspired by their journey. Then... hit the floor as moCa’s iconic space turns into a music-filled dance party. Mixtape: Alexander-John & Emory Jones Sat. Nov 4, 2023 9PM-1:30AM +more Coming up- - - Past connects- - - First name* Last name* Company name Email* Phone Submit Additional Information: First name* Last name* Company name Email* Phone Submit Additional Information: Want to sponsor a connect? We want to connect with you. Contact Zakia Labib through the form to start planning. First name* Last name* Company name Email* Phone Submit Additional Information: SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS $25,000 ▶ Event crediting: moCa Connect , sponsored by <> ▶ Top name and logo (if applicable) recognition on all event communications including invitations, emails, website, social media, programs, and merchandise ▶ Top name and logo (if applicable) recognition during the event on all electronic and static signage, during all announcements. ▶ Step and repeat banner & valet material distribution (as desired) ▶ Product placement or merch table ▶ Opportunity to make a special announcement during the event in person or via static promo or caption video to be featured on our digital media screens throughout the museum as well as moCa’s website ▶ One direct e-communication to all event guests after the event ▶ 4 seats to Palette/Palate, moCa’s exclusive Annual Gala (April 27, 2024) $10,000 ▶ Artist Talk crediting: All activities happening in your designated space will be credited to you ▶ Prominent name and logo (if applicable) recognition on event communications including invitations, emails, website, social media, and programs ▶ Prominent name and logo (if applicable) recognition onsite during the event on electronic and static signage and during announcements ▶ Product placement or merch table ▶ Opportunity to make a special announcement during the event live or via static promo or caption video ▶ 2 seats to Palette/Palate, moCa’s Annual Gala (April 27, 2024) $5,000 ▶ Space crediting: All activities happening in your designated space, or the full raffle experience (if applicable) including texts and tickets, will be credited to you ▶ Name recognition on all event communications including invitations, emails, website, social media, and programs ▶ Name recognition onsite during the event on electronic and static signage and during announcements

Press Release DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD EXHIBITION IMAGES Tuesday, January 16, 2024 New exhibitions at moCa Cleveland by Manabu Ikeda, Andrea Bowers, and BlackBrain uplift nature and sacred human experience Opening Night Celebration: Friday, Feb 2, 2024 Contact: Tom Poole tpoole@mocacleveland.org 216.658.6938 Cleveland, Ohio—The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa) announces three new exhibitions that explore the power of nature and human nature. From asserting our obligation to protect the Great Lakes to envisioning rebirth that comes after climate devastation to symbolizing our existential journeys, these exhibitions elevate our shared experiences to encourage connection and change. Kohl Executive Director Megan Reich notes, “This season beckons and probes in equal measure. It is teeming with awe-inspiring artworks that invite us into their richness with ease. In all three shows, drawing plays a primary role, a technique that we all understand but in the hands of these artists, becomes a transcendent practice.” Opening Friday, Feb 2 and running through May 26, 2024, the exhibitions include the United States debut of Manabu Ikeda’s acclaimed Flowers from the Wreckage retrospective and new commissions, installations, and artworks by Northeast Ohio-raised artist Andrea Bowers and Cleveland-connected collaborative BlackBrain Group. Aligned with moCa’s approach and values, collaboration is key this season, from BlackBrain Group’s immersive installation done with our institutional residency partner Julia de Burgos Cultural Art Center (JDBCAC) to collaborations with Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) and Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) in support of Andrea Bowers’s new monumental neon in downtown Cleveland. Manabu Ikeda, Foretoken , 2008. Pen and acrylic ink on paper, mounted on board. 74.8 x 133.8 in (190 × 340 cm). Collection of Sustainable Investor Co., Ltd. (Kagura Salon). Photo: Yasuhide Kuge Manabu Ikeda: Flowers from the Wreckage Feb 2-May 26, 2024 The first North American retrospective of its kind, Manabu Ikeda: Flowers from the Wreckage presents over 50 works from the past 25 years. Seeking inspiration from his surroundings, Ikeda (born 1973, Saga, Japan; lives and works in Madison, WI) brings attention and inspiration to viewers while sending warnings about the painful reality of environmental disasters. Central to his practice are metaphors of grief and the undeniable aspects of life, including the fundamental forces of Mother Nature. Ikeda’s drawings also reveal human resilience and the ability to rise above devastating situations when it appears impossible. Organized by the Audain Art Musuem (Whistler, Canada) and curated by Kiriko Watanabe, Gail & Stephen A. Jarislowsky Curator, the show includes several of Ikeda’s renowned monumental works including Foretoken (2008), Meltdown (2013) and Rebirth (2013-16), each about the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the most devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power disaster in the country’s recorded history. In each work, Ikeda painstakingly builds worlds that are both profoundly familiar and also beyond comprehension, inspiring and awe-inspiring in equal measure. Open Studio Artist Residency Select times throughout season. Visit moCacleveland.org for full schedule. Manabu Ikeda will be onsite for an in-gallery studio residency at moCa at various times throughout the exhibition season. Visitors can experience Ikeda’s creative process for themselves as he continues work on a new monumental drawing based on water inside moCa’s Mueller Family Gallery. Engagement Guides and CIA students will be available to discuss and answer questions about the artist’s practice during these sessions. Organized and circulated by the Audain Art Museum, Whistler, BC, Canada, with the generous support from the Audain Foundation. This exhibition is curated by Kiriko Watanabe, Gail & Stephen A. Jarislowsky Curator, Audain Art Museum. Lead support from Dealer Tire. Lead support for Manabu Ikeda’s artist residency from The Flagstar Foundation. About Manabu Ikeda Born in Saga, Japan, Manabu Ikeda currently lives and works in Madison, Wisconsin. Ikeda is renowned for his highly detailed pen-and-ink drawings and complex imagery. Ikeda has exhibited his work internationally, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Russia, and the United States. It took Ikeda over three years to draw Rebirth , which is widely recognized as his masterpiece referencing the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and a collision between nature and humankind. Organized by the Audain Art Museum, Manabu Ikeda: Flowers from the Wreckage is Ikeda’s first solo exhibition in North America. Andrea Bowers, Rights of Nature I , 2022. Neon. Photo: Glen Cheriton, Impart Photography Andrea Bowers: Exist, Flourish, Evolve Feb 2-May 26, 2024 Huron, Ohio-raised, LA-based artist Andrea Bowers bears witness in her work, drawing attention to and inspiring action on urgent issues of our time. Her drawings, sculptures, installations, and films document collective action and amplify the labor and lived experiences of activists dedicated to change. Developed through an ongoing partnership with CELDF and activist Tish O’Dell, Exist, Flourish, Evolve is a new, multi-site, multimedia campaign that builds awareness and action around the dangers facing Lake Erie and the Great Lakes ecosystem. This project is anchored by a new, monumental neon public artwork installed on the Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) building and facing Lake Erie that declares the right of Lake Erie to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve—words drawn from CELDF’s Lake Erie Bill of Rights. Created with commission support from VIA Art Fund, the bright, buoyant light sculpture obliges us to examine our role in damaging, repairing, protecting, partnering with, and ensuring the health of the Great Lakes that we depend on for survival. At moCa Cleveland, Bowers’s exhibition presents additional artworks about environmental justice. New works include a neon chandelier, an LED text and light installation that is a corollary to the downtown neon sculpture, a drawing of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, and a documentary film investigating the impact of factory farming on Lake Erie’s ecosystem. Truth, Reckoning, & Right Relationship with the Great Lakes Conference: Apr. 22-23 Working with CELDF, this two day summit–which follows a one day “truth and reckoning” symposium at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2023–focuses on creating “right relationships” with Lake Erie and will include a keynote address and artist talk, breakout sessions, and special presentations by high school students from MC2STEM High School and John Hay School of Science and Medicine. Commission sponsorship provided by VIA Art Fund. Generous support from Thompson Hine LLP, Joanne Cohen & Morris Wheeler, Chuck & Char Fowler, and Nicholas & Erin Reif. Community Partners: Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) and Great Lakes Science Center About Andrea Bowers Ohio-raised Andrea Bowers is a Los Angeles-based artist who has been recording and amplifying the work of activists present and past for more than two decades. Her multi-media practice includes drawing, video, sculpture, and installation work that foregrounds the experience of the people who dedicate their time and energy to the struggle for gender, racial, environmental, labor, and immigration justice and those who are directly affected by systemic inequality. Over time, her different bodies of work have become a document of the changing language, prerogatives, and dynamics of social justice movements. In 2021, a major mid-career survey of Bowers’s work curated by Michael Darling and Connie Butler opened at the MCA Chicago and traveled to the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles in 2022. Other recent solo exhibitions include Grief and Hope , Museum Abteiberg, Mönchengladbach, Germany and Light and Gravity , Weserburg Museum für moderne Kunst, Bremen, Germany. In September 2022, Bowers opened a solo exhibition including both new and existing work at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Milano as part of an exhibition program organized by the Fondazione Furla. Bowers is represented by Vielmetter Los Angeles, Andrew Kreps Gallery, Kaufmann Repetto, and Jessica Silverman Gallery. BlackBrain, Diamond Heart , 2024. Mural in progress. Courtesy the artist. BlackBrain: SCRD GRDN Feb 2 -May 26, 2024 SCRD GRDN is a new project by BlackBrain and guest artists from JDBCAC’s Unidos por el Arte program. Representing a metamorphosis from lone artist into collective creative force and guided by the mantra “go fast, go alone; go far, go together,” BlackBrain Group transforms solitary endeavors into dynamic collaborations grounded in a shared passion for storytelling through art. SCRD GRDN is an immersive painting installation about the resolute human spirit and its existential journey through oppression, justice, prosperity, and divine understanding. Fusing artistic styles and techniques, the series meditates on the interplay and influence between the inner self and the external forces that shape our existence. Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center Instiution & Artist Residency: This project is part of moCa’s institutional and early career artist residency with JDBCAC from January 2023-May 2024. JDBCAC occupies and engages spaces on moCa’s first and third floors in relation to its mission and work, and co-designs programming with moCa to advance the work of Latino/a/x artists and artists of color and provide new professional development opportunities. In 2023, BlackBrain founder Ariel Vergez served as a mentor artist to the seven artists involved in the moCa/JDBCAC early career artist residency, who presented their work in a group show called ¡Juntos! (Together) last year. Lead support for this residency provided by Margaret Cohen & Kevin Rahilly with additional major support from The Cleveland Foundation. About BlackBrain Ariel Vergez, aka BlackBrain, is a seasoned artist with a rich heritage and a passion for storytelling through art. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Florida, BlackBrain is the child of two immigrants who came to the United States in search of opportunity and met each other while working in the service industry. Growing up in a household where art was a daily presence, BlackBrain pursued his passion for art at the collegiate level, studying Industrial Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art. With a background in product and graphic design, BlackBrain has worked with world-class brands and has a keen understanding of the importance of storytelling in design. He has fused that experience towards his first love art. This experience is evident in BlackBrain’s art series, which feature unique narratives, a cross-wiring of pop culture icons, and a vuja dé feeling of nostalgia. FREE ADMISSION & HOURS Daily Admission at moCa Cleveland is always free to all. Thursdays-Sundays, 11AM-5PM; Holiday hours available at mocacleveland.org ABOUT moCa CLEVELAND For more than 50 years, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa) has played a vital role in the city’s cultural landscape. moCa is a conduit and catalyst for creativity and inspiration, offering exhibitions and programs that provide public value and make meaning of the art and ideas of our time. Since its founding in 1968, moCa has presented the works of more than three thousand artists, often through artists’ first solo shows. Soon after its founding, moCa was the first in the region to exhibit the works of many vanguard artists such as Laurie Anderson, Christo, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Adrian Piper, and Andy Warhol. Recent artist commissions and solo exhibitions include work by Tauba Auerbach, Simon Denny, Aleksandra Domanović, Michelle Grabner, Byron Kim, Ragnar Kjartansson, Tony Lewis, Kirk Mangus, Catherine Opie, Adam Pendleton, Sondra Perry, Joyce J. Scott, Do Ho Suh, Liu Wei, Renée Green, and Nina Chanel Abney, among many others. 2024 INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORS All current moCa Cleveland exhibitions are funded by Leadership Circle gifts from Doreen & Dick Cahoon, Joanne Cohen & Morris Wheeler, Margaret Cohen & Kevin Rahilly, Grosvie & Charlie Cooley, Becky Dunn, Harriet Goldberg, Agnes Gund, Jan Lewis, and Toby Devan Lewis* moCa Cleveland receives lead institutional support in part by The Cleveland Foundation, the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the George Gund Foundation, the Nord Family Foundation, the Leonard Krieger Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, PNC, and the continuing support of the museum’s Board of Directors, patrons, and members. * deceased TOP IMAGE: Manabu Ikeda, Rebirth, 2013-16. Pen, acrylic ink and transparent watercolour on paper, mounted on board, 118.11 x 157.48 in (300 x 400 cm), collection of Saga Prefectural Art Museum. Digital Archive: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD. ©️IKEDA Manabu, Courtesy Mizuma Art Gallery, Tokyo / Singapore ### Previous Next

News + All image at Cleveland Scene Sunday, November 6, 2022 Photos by Emanuel Wallace The first edition of moCa Connect featured an artist talk with Allen Bozeman, Alexander-John and Emory Jones in addition to DJ sets from DJ Walk, Nic Nacc, MyNameIsBravo and Bobby Booshay. Previous Next

Mar 18-Apr 17, 2022 Honey Pierre Bloodline Mar 18-Apr 17, 2022 Honey Pierre, Morning Juice , 2022. Acrylic, oil, pastel, and yarn. 48 x 62 in. Presented in partnership w/ Museum of Creative Human Art and moCa Cleveland Cassandra Hickey (b. 1993, Cleveland, OH), also known as Honey Pierre, is one of four children from Rhonda Harris. Cassandra has always been interactive in art activities but her real introduction to art was through fashion magazines, which gave her the urge to draw illustrations everyday. From there, Cassandra learned to express herself through art by learning to work with new mediums and techniques. She was encouraged by a local high school teacher, which grew her confidence. Instead of attending college or an institute for the arts, she chose to join the United States Army. For the next three years, Cassandra’s life was dedicated to serving her country. Once the contract was up, she fed her urge to become an artist full time. Moving from Cleveland to Atlanta was a transition but it supported her journey towards more creative outlets. In two years, Cassandra has participated in over 40 art exhibitions and events and is a part of two community based non-profits. She is a mixed media artist whose practice includes murals, textiles, collage, and painting. Presented in partnership w/ Artist Statement Honey Pierre Honey Pierre The women in our lives are given the often-thankless duty of caring for many people, both physically and emotionally, while maintaining a loving, nurturing spirit. It’s obvious to most that a woman will sacrifice her own aspirations in favor of supporting their loved ones. The women in my family– my aunts, grandmother, and mother–have all had an unmatched influence on my life path. They put me in a position to be myself and develop my natural inclination and passion for the arts. They believed I could do anything I aspired to, and this exhibition has been inspired by these very sacrifices. I have created a series of carefully woven Fiber Portraits of each of these highly influential women in my life. Each piece is unique, with a wide spectrum of bright colors while sustaining a motherly warmth. The most important aspect of this exhibit is that it exudes the love and care that has gone into the work. I’d like you to feel at home when experiencing these pieces as I have, the many times I have explored this museum. I am very excited for my art to reach more souls and hope each individual can find solace here in the same way I have.