Fall Art Show: A Caribbean Artist in Cleveland

Fall Art Show

Lake Metroparks presents “A Caribbean Artist in Cleveland,” a fall art show featuring a thoughtful curation of paintings and illustrations from Cristina Bruce-Kaiser. This special one-woman exhibition will be on display at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center from Saturday, August 24 through Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Bruce-Kaiser is an illustrator by profession as well as a freelance graphic designer and painter. Much of her portfolio depicts vibrant tropical landscapes clad with azure seas and golden horizons, inspired by the childhood she spent in Puerto Rico. She also often incorporates elements of the iconic Cleveland skyline into her art to represent the years she has spent living here in Northeast Ohio.

“I grew up in Puerto Rico, going frequently to the beach, sometimes traveling to the Virgin Islands, or getting invited to friends’ boats to hang out at various cays. Water surrounded my upbringing, and I very much miss seeing the ocean,” Bruce-Kaiser explains. “Lake Erie is amazingly large, but the color is not the same, so I create paintings to bring the colorful Caribbean to Cleveland.”

From greeting cards and mugs to graphic illustrations and paintings, Bruce-Kaiser uses various materials and tools to create her works of art. “When traveling, I bring a small sketchbook inspired by Delacroix’s watercolor studies from his travels. Watercolor pencils and black pens with a portable water brush is my favorite way to capture scenes while traveling,” she mentions. “Acrylic paint is my favorite medium for incorporating many hues of blue into my Caribbean scenes. I create drawings of particular places taking inspiration from different photographs. I also use digital drawing software to create graphic illustrations for my business.”

Meet and talk with Bruce-Kaiser herself at an opening reception on Saturday, August 24 from noon to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. No registration required.

The show will be presented in both English and Spanish. Displayed artwork will also be available for purchase. Admission is free. For more information, call 440-256-1404 or visit goto.lakemetroparks.com/fall-art-show.

Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland (44094).