Cleveland’s Public Art Scene

It’s not unusual for us to hear first-time visitors walking through downtown, stopping dead in their tracks and saying, “Oh cool! What is that?!” That, my friend, is public art

Guardians of Transportation (21st Century) by Destination ClevelandDestination Cleveland

Guardians of Transportation

These Art Deco stone sculptures towering above the bridge since 1932 depict the “spirit of progress in transportation” through the different modes of transport each holds in their hands.

Guardians of Transportation (cont.), Aerial Agents, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
,
Guardians of Transportation, Nathan Migal, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
Show lessRead more

A long beloved symbol of our city and its history, the Guardians' likeness and namesake was recently chosen to represent Cleveland in a new and exciting way: as the new nickname of Progressive Field's finest that play just East of the bridge itself.

Free Stamp (21st Century) by Destination ClevelandDestination Cleveland

Free Stamp

Probably the most famous public art in Cleveland, “Free Stamp” is one of those structures that consistently draws groups of visitors and clusters of bridal parties seeking quintessential Cleveland pictures.

Free Stamp (cont.), Angel Madison, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
,
Free Stamp (cont.) - 2, Michael LaPlaca, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
Show lessRead more

In 1982, artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen were commissioned by Standard Oil Company of Ohio to create a piece of outdoor art to enhance its company’s headquarters at 200 Public Square. They chose the word “FREE” in an effort to create a contemporary take on the concept of liberty. However, the word “FREE” was to be placed upside down – in an attempt, perhaps, to make a statement to the oil-company big wigs looking down from their skyscraper offices.

Fountain of Eternal Life (21st Century) by Destination ClevelandDestination Cleveland

Fountain of Eternal Life

Located adjacent to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center, the fountain features a 35-foot-tall bronze statue depicting a man reaching to the sky from a fury of flames.

Fountain of Eternal Life (cont.), Aerial Agents, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
,
Fountain of Eternal Life, Wil Lindsey, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
Show lessRead more

Put on display in 1964, the monument was created by Cleveland Institute of Art grad Marshall Fredericks to honor local veterans of the Korean War and World War II.

The Thinker (cont.) (21st Century) by Nathan MigalDestination Cleveland

The Thinker

The Cleveland Museum of Art, which offers free admission to its permanent collection, should be on every CLE visitor’s itinerary. 

The Thinker, Destination Cleveland, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
,
The Thinker, Nathan Migal, 21st Century, From the collection of: Destination Cleveland
Show lessRead more

Head to the 1916 building of the museum (the white marble entrance toward the back steps) to get your picture next to Rodin’s “The Thinker.” Just down the steps sits Chester Beach’s beautiful “Fountain of the Waters” in Wade Oval.

GE Chandelier at PlayhouseSquare (21st Century) by Cody YorkDestination Cleveland

GE Chandelier at PlayhouseSquare

Don’t leave without getting an Insta-worthy shot of the GE Chandelier that hangs outside above East 14th Street. (As the world's largest outdoor chandelier, it’s impossible to miss.)

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (21st Century) by Destination ClevelandDestination Cleveland

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

Visit Public Square's crown jewel. Discover Cuyahoga County's story of the Civil War. View personal artifacts and images of her brave sons. 9am-4pm, Mon.- Sat.

Cleveland Public Library – Eastman Reading Garden (21st Century) by Ian MeadowsDestination Cleveland

Cleveland Public Library – Eastman Reading Garden

Many treasures await you at the Cleveland Public Library, "The People's University." Enjoy the Eastman Reading Garden and public art on display outside and throughout the library buildings. See rare Special Collections, Art & Architecture.

Keeping Art Alive in CLE (21st Century) by Destination ClevelandDestination Cleveland

Keeping Art Alive in CLE

Cleveland is deeply committed to the creation of public art. In 2004, the city enacted legislation requiring that capital improvement projects within city limits with budgets over $350,000 must designate at least 1.5% of the total budget toward the creation of new public art.

For more information on public art in Cleveland, visit www.ThisisCleveland.com.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more