BAYarts launches CAN Journal spring issue

The CAN Journal spring issue features the work of Douglas Max Utter.

The CAN Journal kicks off the spring issue on Friday, March 6, at BAYarts to coincide with the opening of "The Best of NOIS" in the Sullivan Gallery (see related article). Now in its third year, the spring issue of CAN is the largest to date as more and more art organizations and artists discover the value of a "one stop" directory for the visual arts in the greater Cleveland area. It is written by Collective Arts Network members and edited by writer and BAYarts artist Michael Gill. 

The journal was the brainchild of Bay Village artist and director of Zygote Press, Liz Maugans. In 20111, responding to the growing art scene but frustrated by the lack of support for the arts in the changing world of print media, Maugans challenged art leaders to take action. Today, CAN boasts a vibrant network of over 100 artists, galleries and visual art organizations, and distributes over 10,000 journals to over 150 locations across northeast Ohio.

In addition to the journal, this shared "power in numbers" vison has inspired frequent collaborations, shared resources and greater support among the art community. The free magazine is made possible by memberships, sponsors, in-kind support and an annual benefit. This year's benefit, "So You Think You CAN Sing," a karaoke party at 78th Street Studios in Gordon Square is on May 22.

"The CAN network has opened doors for westside organizations we never could have imagined,” says BAYarts Artistic Director Karen Petkovic. "The perception was everything was happening downtown or east; when the reality is there's an active art scene that doesn't end with the borders of downtown. Now it is commonplace for people from as far east as Chagrin Falls or Shaker Heights take a class or attend an event at BAYarts."

Besides BAYarts, the magazine is available at Bay Village and Westlake Porter libraries, Heinen's and local businesses. It's accessible online at canjournal.org or can be downloaded from BAYarts website, bayarts.net.

The CAN Journal launch party at BAYarts is March 6, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Sullivan Family Gallery. It's free and open to the public.