Category: Fine Arts and Literature

The EAST CLEVELAND THEATER is committed to the furtherance of interracial cooperation and understanding, particularly through its practice of interracial, nontraditional casting. Founded by East Clevelanders Eugene and Chris Pace, the community theater made its debut with a 1-act play at East Cleveland Baptist Church in January 1968.

ECKHARDT, EDRIS (28 Jan. 1905-27 April 1998), internationally known sculptor, ceramist, and enamelist, won a Guggenheim fellowship in 1956 for her rediscovery of the ancient Egyptian technique for making gold glass, which had been forgotten for 1,500 years. Eckhardt, whose birth name was Edythe Aline, was born in Cleveland to Herman W. Eckhardt, a plumber, and Rachel A. (Rice) Eckhardt.

ELLISON, JAY, HARLAN (May 27, 1934 - June 27, 2018) was an American writer who pioneered the speculative fiction genre and made waves with his outspoken personality and biting commentaries. In his 84 years, Ellison wrote over 100 books, 400 short stories, dozens of screenplays, and more than 1,000 essays and columns, all while making a name for himself as an explosive and larger-than-life voice in the industry.

The EUCLID AVE. OPERA HOUSE was known as one of the finest theaters in the U.S. Located at the southeast corner of Euclid Ave. and Sheriff St., it was built in 1875 at a cost of $200,000 and described on its opening night (6 Sept. 1875) as elaborate, luxurious, and very beautiful. It was completely carpeted, with a painted dome and intricate plasterwork.

The EUROPEAN VISION OF AMERICA was the title given to an art exhibition sponsored jointly by the CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, the Natl. Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, and the Reunion des Musees Nationaux France in celebration of the U.S. bicentennial in 1976.

The FAIRMOUNT FINE ARTS CENTER offers instruction in dance, theater, music, crafts and visual arts, and gymnastics in its main campus at 8400 Fairmount Rd. in Russell Twp. It originated in a dance studio added to the home of businessman Ron Kumen for the use of his wife, Jan, a professional dancer, who began giving lessons there.

FETZER, HERMAN (24 June 1899-17 January 1935), better known as "Jake Falstaff" to Akron Times and CLEVELAND PRESS readers, was born in Maple Valley, Ohio, to Levi E. and Lydia Fetzer.

The FINE ARTS BUILDING, 3228 Euclid Ave., with its studios and living quarters for artists, musicians, and writers, was once considered the center of art community in Cleveland. The Fine Arts Bldg. traces its history to 1921 and 1922, when additions were made to the front and rear, respectively, of the former JOHN H. DEVEREAUX mansion (which had been built in 1873).

FINE ARTS MAGAZINE was one of the few subscription periodicals devoted entirely to the arts and their promotion. It evolved from a Chicago-based FM radio programming guide called Fine Music, which dated back to ca. 1955. The first issue of Fine Arts appeared on 1 Jan. 1961. It was produced by Alla V. Wakefield, editor and publisher; Linda Kraus and James B. Gidney, assoc. editors; Clement A.

The FOOTPATH DANCE COMPANY, a nonprofit troupe based in SHAKER HEIGHTS, was the first modern dance company from Greater Cleveland to perform both nationally and internationally. Formed in 1976 by artistic director Alice Rubinstein, the company initially consisted only of women.

The FORTNIGHTLY MUSICAL CLUB is one of the oldest continuous music clubs in the country. Organized in Feb. 1894 by Mrs. Curtis Webster, it was federated with the National Fed. of Music Clubs in 1898 and became a charter member of the Ohio Fed. of Music Clubs in 1919. During its first 25 years especially, Fortnightly served as a concert agency for Cleveland, bringing many of the orchestras and artists who performed here.

The FROHSINN SINGING SOCIETY was the first German music club in Cleveland. Its work brought national attention to the city. The Frohsinn was begun in 1848 by German immigrants led by a man named Heber. The society's rehearsals, informal at best, were held from time to time in Seifert's Casino.

FUCHS, JOSEPH PHILIP (26 April 1900 - 14 March 1997) became a noted violin soloist and teacher after his tenure as concertmaster of the CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA. A native New Yorker, he was the son of Philip and Kate Weiss Fuchs and studied under Franz Kneisel at the Institute of Musical Art (later Julliard), where he graduated in 1918.

The GAGE GALLERY OF FINE ARTS was a privately owned art gallery established by Geo. E. Gage in 1910. Born in Hudson, NY, Gage had worked in a variety of fields and once owned a small art store in Hudson, where he became acquainted with members of the famous Hudson River School. As a result of a meeting with Maj. Chas. J. Strong of WM. TAYLOR SON & CO.