Beginning this summer, Heights Libraries will host a maker-in-residence program in the HKIC STEAM Lab at the Lee Road branch. The goal of the maker-in-residence program, funded in part by a generous grant from the Cyrus Eaton Foundation, is to showcase local makers and to engage the community in a creative space where they can learn from, and appreciate, creative experts and participate in the creative process.
Summer 2024
The Library’s summer maker is Alex Heard. Heard (photo at right wearing one of their creations) is a soft sculptor and performance artist working in Cleveland. Their colorful, plush costumes explore a variety of topics both absurd and sincere. They graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2020. Heard performs in the Cleveland area, and has exhibited throughout Ohio.
Residents can meet Heard in the HKIC STEAM Lab this summer to learn more about their work and try some of Heard’s soft sculpting technique at open studio hours on Thursdays, June 13-August 8, from 1-5 p.m. Heard will also teach four public programs during June and July.
Fall 2024
Fall’s maker-in-residence will be Cleveland-based Tahm Lytle, a multidisciplinary artist whose work is deeply rooted in their identities as a Black and Latine, queer, artist. Lytle will be focused on printmaking during their time at the STEAM Lab. Lytle’s residency will run September 1 – October 31.