Nightfall: Cleveland After Dark is a photography exhibition offering a new perspective of the city.Artist and gallery owner Christina Sadowski says “I wanted to go back to my roots and photograph the city I love. However, I wanted to capture the city after dark which is something I had not done before.”
Sadowski went out downtown after sunset and shot several long exposure images. The buildings were lit up, streaks of cars passing by and people wandering on foot. Sadowski says, “I opted to edit all the images to black and white. Early on in my career, this was the way I worked. I moved away and focused on colorful imagery. When working in a monochromatic palette, you have to consider the subject matter and composition in a different manner than if you were using full color palette. Contrast, shadows, tones and textures all guide the emotion behind the images. I hope this collection presents Cleveland as a thriving underdog.”
These photos will be on display January 17 – February 21, 2020.The opening reception for Nightfall: Cleveland After Dark will be on January 17th from 5-9pm at e11even 2 Gallery.
Wanderlust is the next featured exhibition at E11even 2 gallery opening on Friday, January 18th, 2019.Photographer and gallery owner, Christina Sadowski sets out to capture the world around us in her travels near and far with a new body of photographs.
Sadowski says “Wanderlust’s definition is the strong desire to travel. And after this year I can safely say that term embodies what I am.”The exhibition will feature over twenty architectural and landscape photos from Sadowski’s 2018 journeys.These journeys include but are not limited to Oregon, Kentucky, Switzerland, Germany, The Czech Republic, France and more.
Sadowski states, “2018 has taken me on quite an adventure, mentally, physically, and emotionally.I anticipate my photos offer some insight to mypast excursions, and perpetuate guests to take their own adventures and voyages.
Time Warp, a new exhibition opening at E11even 2 will commemorates the 5 year anniversary of the Cleveland based contemporary gallery. Time flies when you’re selling art in this exhibition. The opening reception is Friday, November 16th from 5-9p during the 3rd Friday events at 78th St. Studios.
Owners- Christina Sadowski, Billy Nainiger, and R!ch Cihlar set out to make a new body of work for their special occasion. Each artist/owner created a series of work following their own interpretation of words “Time Warp”.
R!ch set out to build bottle openers inspired by vintage pop crates, a reflection into the past. His works cater to the aesthetic of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s logos and symbols. He says, “It’s the feeling or memory of what we all call ‘Retro’. My pieces will remind guests of years past.”
Billy focused directly on time, using clocks as focal point and building around them with mixed media and found objects. Nainiger, states he’s always been interested in clocks, mechanically, and found the exhibition ideal for his style of work. He also states, “Plus, they’re functional and decorative works”.
Christina, a photographer, shot landscapes with a Lensbaby circular fisheye lens to warp her images into complete circles. Sadowski says, “The process was fun and tricky. Trying to capture the essence of Cleveland in a new manner was exciting and challenging. With this lens, I am able to explore new perspectives of iconic Cleveland structures.”
November 2nd 6p-8p (e11even 2 day/5 yr anniversary party)
November 16th 5p-9p (third friday’s @ 78th st. studios)
Reflections of Cleveland is a photography exhibition observed from a new perspective. Artist and gallery owner Christina Sadowski says “After purchasing my purple kayaks, dubbed “The Mermaid Squad,” I decided it would be a great idea to incorporate 3 of my passions- photography, Cleveland and kayaking. What started out as a “let’s see what I can get” took off into a “I think I can make a solid show out of this.”
Sadowski went out on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie at sunrise and captured the city before it woke up. The glass-like water created a mirror effect and the beautiful colors that came to life in the sky were breathtaking. Sadowski says, “I found beauty in the abandoned buildings, steamships and work zones. The skyline lit by the morning sun intrigued me. Being in a kayak allows you to sit extremely close to the water and offers a very unique vantage point. I hope that people get a sense of what it was like for me on those early morning paddles and can appreciate the serenity in these images.”
These photos will be on display January 19 – February 16, 2018. The opening reception for Reflections of Cleveland will be on January 19th from 5-9pm at e11even 2.
Ratio 1:12, a new exhibition opening at E11even 2 will commemorate the 4 year anniversary of the contemporary gallery. The opening reception is November 17th from 5-9p during the 3rd Friday events at 78th St. Studios.
Owners; Christina, Billy, and R!ch set out to make a new body of work for the occasion. Each artist/owner created 12 works that were similar but slightly different, hence the ratio of 1:12. (Not to mention the 1:12 is a pun on the galleries name). Each artist explains their approach to the exhibition.
R!ch – “I created a variety of sunsets and seasonal color changes around Cleveland’s iconic Guardian bridge for my series. The initial idea sprouted from asking myself what could I do thematically around the number 12? And the idea of 12 months/seasons emerged as well as a clock having 12 morning hours and 12 evening hours. So my series shows those changes in the form of times of the day and months. I like to think of them as paintings of sunsets/sunrises during the year. There’s nothing more peaceful then watching the sun rise and set.”
Christina – “I took a photo trip to Nevada this past March. While shooting in one of my favorite locations, El Dorado Mining Town, I decided to photograph the front grills of some of the vehicles. The cars of yesterday had such a presence and demanded attention. Many of the grills were large and prestigious while some are modest and obscure.”
Billy – “The first thing that came to mind was the months of the year. I’m approaching each of my works as one of the 12 months, basing its color pallet on the temperature of the month (as seen by living in Cleveland, OH). Cleveland is known for having random weather patterns and heat waves/cold fronts that contradict the assumed seasonal temperatures or forecast.”
Stop out for a sneak peak of “RATIO 1:12” during E11even 2 day or during the opening reception on November 17th.
Step Right UP! A carnival inspired exhibition will have guests feeling like a kid again. E11even 2 is excited to announce its next exhibit to open on July 21st from 5-9pm featuring over 40 artists. Guest curator Leslie Edwards Humez, had this to say:
“Exhibiting artists were invited to create new work for this exhibit that leaned toward the nostalgic or surreal and drew heavily on their childhood memories: that magical time when things loomed larger, brighter, and more colorful. Where the element of surprise provoked involuntary shivers, amusement parks rocked, and carnival kisses cost a buck.
In STEP RIGHT UP, there will be work with a sunlit perspective that highlights fun foods, midway wheels-of-chance, thrill rides, blue-ribbon competitions and more. Or (thanks to Cher) the work may sneak a peek at the edgy side of the traveling show with its gypsies, tramps and thieves who beckon us with crooked fingers into that unsettling neon space where flim-flam rules and fortune-tellers, floozies and freaks hide behind midnight faces.”
Tucked up on the shores of Lake Erie is the city of Cleveland, Ohio. A long time manufacturing town that has seen its share of rough times. From losing jobs to losing sports teams, Cleveland is well familiar with heartache. It is a blue collar town with a strong love for sports, and a relentless loyalty to teams who have seemingly always let them down.
We waited for so long for a sports team to give us life and hope. While the losing streak had presence well before I was born, I can recall the sadness of the Tribe losing in the 1997 World Series, crying when the Browns were moving to Baltimore (then inevitably won 2 Super Bowls), and wanting to destroy all my LeBron gear after “The Decision.” Yet through thick and thin, we were there for the teams and the players that seemed to never show up for us.
In 2014, LeBron announced he was returning to Cleveland. I always compared this moment to taking an ex back. “We had such a good thing and I loved you so much but I really hated the way you broke up with me. I guess we can give this another shot.” It hurt but it was exciting. Reading the letter about him returning gave me goosebumps and an unbelievable hope he would really make it happen. This city needed it, I needed it, we all needed it.
Unfortunately, we had to feel the burn once again when the Cavs made it to the Finals in 2015 only to fall in Game 6 to the Warriors. There we were again, so close, let down, but feeling so much more proud! Next year, right? That’s the motto in Cleveland. There’s always next year!
Well, next year came and we had healthy players and some great additions to the team. The level of energy and excitement in the city was nothing I had ever experienced! The season was fun. We wanted it so bad but as fans we were cautiously optimistic. We had grown a wall around our heart from the years of disappointment. There was just something different this year that felt like it just may happen, and then it did!
I witnessed many of the games outside the Q in the Watch Parties with hundreds of others. The vibe was good. The sense of unity was great. Then we won! We actually won! 52 years of waiting for a championship and it happened! Everyone thought people would riot in the streets and burn the city, like they had done previously in San Francisco and Boston. That didn’t happen though. Fans rushed the streets celebrating, high fiving strangers, dancing on cars, but no riots or violence. We were all too happy and too united in this long-term drought of winning.
Soon after came the plans for the parade. I took to the streets to photograph the people. I had no idea I would be one in a million that day. I had no idea how epic that parade would be. One million people in the streets of Cleveland celebrating. Young and old of all races peacefully came together to show support for our team and our city. I captured images of the young kids who had no clue how monumental this day was to the older folks who probably were still wiping tears from their eyes. There was nothing but joy, love and happiness this day in Cleveland. People forgot about their life problems, or the racial tension, or the political divides that were happening all around us. But that day… we came together as one… one million. I have always been proud to say I was from Cleveland but especially after witnessing the community and fans in June of 2016. – Christina Sadowski
The Day Cle Stood as 1M is a photography exhibition that captured the historic 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers parade as seen by the loyal fans in downtown Cleveland, OH. This exhibition will open and close on Friday, June 16th 2017 from 5p-9p at E11even 2. (This is a one night only photography exhibition by Christina Sadowski)
Peek-A-Boo is the next “sex”hibition at E11even 2. It highlights the best features of classic Pin-Up girls. The opening reception is on Friday March 18th from 5-9p, during the 3rd Friday events at 78th Street Studios and features 16 local artists. Curator and owner, Christina Sadowski, says, “I collect pin-up girl tattoos and have always enjoyed those types of iconic images. Often people hear erotic and think dirty, but with this show the images are beautiful and classically posed nudes.” Sadowski says she doesn’t expect any controversy over the show. There are no explicit images, but does warn guests that it maybe more suited for an adult crowd.
Guests can also expect more then just art. Guest Pin-Up Queens will be on hand to enhance the atmosphere and pose with guests. Custom Peek-A-Book koozies will be given out, and Cleveland’s own Burlesque performer, Bella Sin, will give a performance at the closing reception on April 15th.
E11even 2 is proud to feature its next exhibition by Christina Sadowski, artist and gallery owner, entitled “The Cleveland at Home Collection”. This exhibition will feature Sadowski’s signature Cleveland landmark photography on home goods. Some of the featured home goods will include, cellphone cases, duvet covers, bathroom shower curtains, clocks, bottle openers, air fresheners, pillows, and more! The opening reception will be on Friday, September 18th from 5p-9p during the third Friday events at 78th Street Studios. To see more of Christina’s work please visit christinasadowskiphotography.com
Nightfall: Cleveland After Dark is a photography exhibition offering a new perspective of the city. Artist and gallery owner Christina Sadowski says “I wanted to go back to my roots and photograph the city I love. However, I wanted to capture the city after dark which is something I had not done before.”
Ratio 1:12, a new exhibition opening at E11even 2 will commemorate the 4 year anniversary of the contemporary gallery. The opening reception is November 17th from 5-9p during the 3rd Friday events at 78th St. Studios.
