Bockrath Gallery was founded in January of 1995 in order to provide a forum for contemporary art in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Upon graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art the gallery's director, Lissa Bockrath, searched for a representative space to show her own emerging work. Once faced with the realization that there was a dearth of contemporary galleries in Cleveland, Bockrath took it upon herself to create a space that she deemed conducive to more modern styles of work.

The resulting gallery, now in its sixth year of operation, has emerged as a showcase for artists, both national and international, working in various mediums and styles. While many styles are reflected in the work shown, the gallery places a strong emphasis on painting and mixed mediums. Works exhibited in the past consist of varying formats such as computer generated images, prints, video, and other forms of non-traditional media. Bockrath remains committed to providing the Cleveland art scene with a cutting edge vision of the worlds emerging and established contemporary art.

The gallery, located in Little Italy, lies in the cultural hub of the city. Within one square mile sit the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Center for Contemporary Art, Severance Hall and the remainder of the city's prominent museums. Little Italy has emerged as the pre-eminent neighborhood for the gallery scene in the city. Containing over thiry five studios and galleries, the neighborhood provides an eclectic setting for a great variety of art. Within the brick streets and historic buildings, lies the former Murray Hill School House, which is home to fifteen studios and galleries. (Directions) The art community in Little Italy is home to the largest and longest running art walks in the city, held three times a year, the first weekends in June, October, and December.

Bockrath Gallery sits in the boiler room of the old school house in a fresh, remodeled space. Visitors are ushered down a thirty-foot ramp and into a multi-level space. Throughout this sleek, modern space are remnants of the space's history such as the old boiler doors and obsolete steam valves. The gallery has as many as six shows a year and is open Wednesday-Saturday 12-5, Sunday 1-5 (November-December only) and by appointment (216-721-5990). For upcoming and current exhibitions please see the "current exhibition" link.

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