Curated cOURTHOUSE

Curated Courthouse is a collaboration between the Summit County Probate Court and Curated Storefront to display art within the Summit County Courthouse providing respite and enrichment for employees, attorneys, and visitors in the often stressful courthouse. The chosen art allows undeserved and diverse artists an audience and creates a more vibrant or soothing environment.

This partnership came together with matching funding by the Knight Arts Challenge of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, led by Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer assisted by, Lisa Mansfield, Community Outreach Specialist for the Probate Court.

Summit County Probate Court serves citizens on the best and worst days of their lives. Among other things, Probate Court handles adoptions, estate administration, guardianships, marriage licenses and name changes. In the last several years, the court hosted periodic art displays and musical performances from both professional and amateur artists.

Our partnership with Art Resources Transformations (ART) has increased connections throughout the art community. We are opening the eyes of both emerging and established artists to possibilities of exhibiting art for a purpose in an unusual space. ART acts as a fiscal sponsor but also brings their success of creating exhibits Downtown and expertise in art curation to bear. We keep in mind that many individuals in the courthouse may consider art to be inaccessible and our space may be the first exposure to art as inspiration or representation. Together we attempt to bridge that gap by inviting a passerby who may never venture into an art museum or gallery to see art in a new light.

Past eXHIBITS

fACES & fEELINGS

Max Markwald, Care Hanson, and Laura Ruth Bidwell

art of a pandemic

The Curated Courthouse invited local artists to submit art for The Art of a Pandemic. These artists shared work during Judge Stormer’s Cards for Seniors program at the height of the Covid pandemic lockdown in the spring of 2020 creating cards or art that encourage seniors throughout the county. Some of the artists featured are Karen Dunn, Stan Sipka, Anne McCloskey, Nancy Woods, and Amanda Htun.

The work that was delivered to isolated seniors in congregate care was art beyond what we had hoped for! With our new ability to show art in the courthouse through a Knight Art’s Challenge Grant, we wanted to display their work for court visitors and employees to enjoy.

Now, one year later, the displays throughout the historic Summit County Courthouse highlight work that gives hope and healing or raised spirits before and during this pandemic.