Browse Interviews

A longtime resident of the near west side of Cleveland, Stella Golch discusses her youth and employment in Cleveland. A longtime department store employee, Golch observed many of the changes that Cleveland underwent from the 1960s. Golch details memories of her neighborhood while criticizing the rapid changes taking place in Cleveland.

Three members of Recon, a subdivision of the politically active urban performance group The Shogun Assassins, discuss their involvement at the Ingenuity Festival. The members discuss their backgrounds and philosophy in depth, explaining how Cleveland's economic and social structure influences their progressive social agenda and performance. Discussions of race, class, and economic oppression detail the performers opinion of Cleveland as fertile ground for the broader struggle in America against…

Paul Biber sheds expertise and light on the business and entertainment industry in Cleveland. Barber details the challenges to Cleveland's entertainment districts and the effects of short-sightedness after the 1960s. Finally, Biber discusses plans to improve the city's future.

Todd Michney, born and raised in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, reflects on his experiences as a youth and his familiarization with Cleveland culture in the 1980s. Michney describes how de-industrialization and economic deterioration impacted the youth culture movement of which he was a part during the 1980s. Cleveland's environment is described as an inspiration for hardcore punk, guerrilla art, and teenage rebellion.

CSU professor Beth Cagan describes the significant changes that have occurred in Cleveland since she and her husband moved from New York City in the 1970s. Her honest descriptions and criticisms of the city shed light on the values that she believes need to be endorsed in order to foster city improvement.

Three students in the Building Bridges Program discuss their involvement as artists in a job training program on the west side. These students elaborate on their involvement in an artistic mural for the Ingenuity Festival and how art has affected their lives and education. They elaborate on being educated artistically in Cleveland and their feelings toward art education in general.

Steve Cagan, a native New Yorker, details a life of art and activism in Cleveland since the 1970s. Cagan's description of Cleveland as a center of social and political activism sheds light on the political and social culture of Cleveland in the wake of economic transformation. The correlation between art and politics is discussed at length.

Robin Yates, a professional real estate developer, describes his professional history and experiences with neighborhood projects in the city of Cleveland. Yates also explains his bed and breakfast operation that takes tourists on tours of the city of Cleveland. Significant to Yates is not only the perception of Cleveland, but the means to increase residency and future residential developments in the city.

An art specialist and dealer, John Kunikis discusses his booth at the 2006 Ingenuity Festival. Describing his experiences with art and culture in an urban environment and their influence on his work, Kunikis discusses the state of art and culture in the City of Cleveland.

Marilyn Anthony, a lifetime citizen of the west side of Cleveland discusses Cleveland's past and future. Marilyn recalls her experiences in Cleveland and describes her present role as a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Group. Finally, she addresses current projects in Cleveland and the priorities of the city.

Sudmir Ragupathy discusses the place of technology at the Ingenuity Festival and its role in shaping Cleveland's economic future. Recognizing Cleveland's poor environmental reputation, Ragupathy speaks about his organizations and vision of a Cleveland regional environmental economy.