Cleveland Photo Fest

One day in late 2018, I sat and spoke with Laura D’Alessandro at an art exhibition at Prama Artspace Gallery, in Parma. We talked about lots of things, art, our families, and what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives. Laura told me she dreamed of bringing to Cleveland a photography festival similar to, PhotoNOLA, an event she participated in while living in New Orleans. Laura is a Cleveland born fine art photographer, writer and educator, who has returned home to Cleveland. Her dream, the 1st Annual Cleveland Photo Fest was realized this year and it is a huge success. Events like this one, usually start small and grow, but not this one. Through lots of hard work, very little sleep, and the help of friends, Laura, Herbert Ascherman Jr., founder and director of Cleveland Photographic Workshop and Jim Szudy, freelance photographer and founder of Gemini Developers, have attracted the attention of a great many, and not only local, national and international photographers. 

Cleveland Photo Fest was recognized by Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Ohio Representative Jeffrey Crossman - District 15, Representative Juanita O. Brent - District 12, and Representative Larry Householder - District 72, and the General Assembly of The State of Ohio. The festival has received acclaim within the art community, in print in many locations and in social media.  

This festival includes 13 galleries and art spaces, and runs through the end of 2019 and just into 2020. It includes the works of about 100 photographers. In addition to exhibits, there are lectures and workshops. Parma’s Prama Artspace & Gallery is a participant. Their slogan is Unity Through Photography. Their mission is to strengthen the appreciation of photography as a major force in today’s visually driven culture. For more information on Cleveland Photo Fest go to www.clevelandphotofest.org, or follow them on Facebook.