25th Anniversary

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Connecting Art + Community

Heights Arts is celebrating 25 years of providing experiences for and access to emerging and professional literary, music, and visual artists in Northeast Ohio.

At the crossroads of music and visual art, creative boundaries dissolve. You might witness collaborations between a jazz quartet and a local painter, or hear spoken word poetry accompanied by ambient soundscapes.

Engage. Explore. Learn. Be Inspired.

Over the years, Heights Arts has become a cornerstone in our community, serving as a showcase for our talented citizens. Every day, we enhance what it means to live in our community by honoring emerging and professional artists through bold exhibitions, beautiful musical concerts, an inspiring gallery and storefront, and thoughtful encounters with poetry.

Heights Arts Is for Everyone

You don’t have to be an art enthusiast to explore our programs, events, and gallery exhibitions. We believe that all people — regardless of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, background, or familiarity with creative arts — have the opportunity to showcase, get access to, and experience all forms of arts.

Orange circle with text that reads "Over 1.3 million to visual artists, musicians and poets
Blue circle with text that reads "400 plus visual artists exhibited"
Magenta Circle with text that reads "50 plus music performances"
Blue circle with text that reads "90 plus art exhibitions"
Red circle with text that reads "50 plus workshops and classes"
Green circle with text that reads "10 plus public art projects"

Get Involved

Here are a few ways to experience the Heights Arts community.

  • Visit our gallery store and browse through greeting cards, jewelry, pictures, pottery, and more.
  • Apply to our open call for musicians and visual artists.
  • View our current exhibition anytime or attend an exhibition opening event.
  • Attend an evening of inspiring poetry readings.
  • Meet new people at ARTbar, which combines music, cocktails, and art in a vibrant atmosphere.

Home to the Arts

Sparked by a city-wide visioning process in 2000 and the passion of Cleveland Heights residents, Heights Arts was established as the community center for creative arts. Over the years, we have grown into a regional presence — celebrating diversity, supporting emerging and established artists, and building an inclusive arts community. 

Art uses all of our senses. Take a moment to notice public art, hear the sounds of music, be calmed by poetry readings, or feel the vast types of materials used in visual arts.

Close Encounters Season Tickets

Secure your seat for all four concerts at discounted prices. 

Upcoming Events

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet
Music

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet

Sunday 11/16/25
3:00pm - 5:00pm
The acclaimed Omni Quartet returns to Close Encounters to present an afternoon of favorites including Robert Schumann’s String Quartet No. 1, a masterful study in counterpoint, and the first of Beethoven’s late quartets, a set of pieces that are arguably the finest chamber music the composer produced. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the second concert in this season's series features performers Amy Lee, violin, Alicia Koelz, violin, Joanna Patterson Zakany, viola, and Tanya Ell, cello.   Robert Schumann: String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1 Introduzione. Andante espressivo- Allegro Scherzo presto- Intermezzo- Tempo I Adagio Presto Intermission Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 2 in a minor Op. 13  (Played instead of Beethoven Quartet No. 12) I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace II. Adagio non lento III. Intermezzo. Allegretto con moto - Allegro di molto IV. Presto - Adagio non lento   This concert is generously support by Ioana Missits
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No Exit & Zeitgeist at Heights Arts: An Evocation of Our Current Time
Music

No Exit & Zeitgeist at Heights Arts: An Evocation of Our Current Time

Saturday 1/10/26
7:00pm
No Exit and their frequent collaborators, the St. Paul, MN-based new music ensemble Zeitgeist, present an unforgettable experience in the form of a 50 minute immersive multimedia extravaganza, An Evocation of Our Current Time. No Exit and guests will create a very different kind of sound bath via improvisation, film, artificial intelligence, environmental manipulation, lies, magic, gaslighting and other forms of chicanery...... all to serve as an outpouring of our present reality. In addition to the core members of No Exit and Zeitgeist, An Evocation of Our Current Time will also feature the talents of violinist Mari Sato, drummer Stephen Klunk, trumpeter Scott McKee, trombonist John Faieta and harpist Stephan Haluska. . As always, No Exit’s concerts are free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested. Adventurous listeners are welcome!
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Reception Opening: Consider Fires, Spotlight: Josh Chefitz
Opening

Reception Opening: Consider Fires, Spotlight: Josh Chefitz

Friday 1/16/26
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Fire consumes. Fire cleanses. Fire transforms. It is destruction and renewal, warmth and warning, a flickering ember, and an unstoppable blaze. It is the flame of revolution, the heat of creation, the smoldering tension before ignition. It is both the light that guides and the force that devours. In this exhibition, we do not fear fire—we invoke it. We trace its edges, feed its hunger, and question its aftermath. We gather to reflect on the fires that shape us: the ones we tend, the ones we extinguish, the ones we cannot control. Artists, visionaries, storytellers—consider fire. Consider fires. What will you set ablaze? This exhibition is curated by Gina Washington and includes artists Chester Hopkins-Bey, Tanya Kaiser, Kole Robinson Brooks, Yasmeen Kwan, Aja Joi Grant, James Negron, Jeanetta Ho, Mario Tripp, Ellis Walker, Falon Walker, Mckinley Wiley, Lolita Wilson, and Leah Aki Wood. The spotlight artist is Josh Chefitz who will also be exhibiting until March 14th.
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Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet
Music

Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet

Tuesday 2/3/26
6:00pm
The Taplin Quartet rehearses repertoire for their Close Encounters concert "From East to West".  Concert is on Sunday February 8th.   ABOUT: Open Rehearsals provide the rare opportunity for students and adults to glimpse the process of preparing a Close Encounters performance prior to some of the concerts. This one-of-a-kind experience is not only educational but provides a deeper understanding of how performance is put together by some of the world's best musicians. Brief Q+A Session to Follow Rehearsal Please Note: The length of this event is dependent on the needs of the musicians. You may discreetly exit the event before it is complete if needed.   . Winter Season Sponsors: No Exit Music Ensemble Special thanks to Cleveland Violins for underwriting this event
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Close Encounters: From East to West
Music

Close Encounters: From East to West

Sunday 2/8/26
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Witness the debut of the Taplin Quartet as they bring listeners on a journey From East To West with a varied program including familiar favorites like Waltzing Matilda and Clair de Lune alongside Debussy’s masterful String Quartet in G Minor, Lei Liang's dramatic piece, Gobi Gloria, inspired by Mongolian music, and an elegant arrangement of a Chinese traditional song. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the third concert in this season's series features performers Katherine Bormann, violin, Zhan Shu, violin, Gareth Zehngut, viola, Martha Baldwin, cello.   Stephan Koncz: Waltzing Matilda Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune Lei Liang: Gobi Gloria Intermission Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10 Animé et très décidé Assez vif et bien rythmé Andantino, doucement expressif Très modéré – En animant peu à peu – Très mouvementé et avec passion Chinese Traditional, Arr. Akejian: Jasmine   This concert is generously sponsored by: Bill Stigelman
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ARTbar: Burning River Swing
Music

ARTbar: Burning River Swing

Thursday 2/12/26
7:00pm
ARTbar creates an atmosphere like no other by mixing curated cocktails, music, art, and poetry in Heights Arts’ beautiful gallery on Lee Road. The space is transformed into a cocktail lounge setting where audience members gather to experience intimate performances in tandem with current exhibitions. . Featured Ensemble: Burning River Swing  Burning River Swing is a swinging and singing jazz group from the Cleveland/Akron area. The band honors French jazz, hot jazz and swing music by musicians like Django Reinhardt, Stefan Grappelli, and Ella Fitzgerald, bringing this music back to life in the modern day. When their melodic violin, percussive guitar, walking bass lines and stellar vocals come together, they set fire to both old and new songs alike!   One drink minimum. Light snacks and a limited bar including beer, wine, sparkling wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and the following curated cocktails: MANHATTAN & FRENCH 75
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Ekphrastacy: "Consider Fires" & Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz
Literary

Ekphrastacy: "Consider Fires" & Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz

Thursday 2/19/26
7:00pm
Ekphrastacy: "Consider Fires" & Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz Join our new Heights Poet Laureate, Michelle R. Smith, along with guest poets, for an evening of poetry inspired by Heights Arts new 2026 exhibitions "Consider Fires" and Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz. The poets will offer their unique interpretations and responses to these themes through live performances. Additionally, the exhibiting artists will also share insights into their work. This popular event fills up quick so make sure to RSVP!
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Gallery Concert with Mud Window Mud Mirror
Music

Gallery Concert with Mud Window Mud Mirror

Saturday 3/7/26
7:00pm
Mud Window Mud Mirror - Saturday, March 7th, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm Soprano Naomi Columna and percussionist Katalin La Favre, known as Mud Window Mud Mirror, blend early music, folk, pop, and contemporary music through bold experimentation. Their new project, Wanderings, reimagines Medieval and Renaissance works with modern percussion and voice, featuring marimba, drums, bells, and shifting vocal textures. Framed by the four seasons and multiple versions of Machaut’s Puis qu’en oubli, the program explores time, texture, and unexpected sonic worlds. Learn more about Mud Window Mud Mirror HERE   Click here to see the Heights Arts 2026-2026 Music Season
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Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond
Music

Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond

Sunday 5/17/26
3:00pm - 5:00pm
The final concert in this year’s series, Bach and Beyond, celebrates J.S. Bach’s profound and expressive chorales, arranged for string quartet, alongside Haydn’s inventive String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5 and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10, nicknamed the “Harp” Quartet. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the fourth concert in this season's series features the Taplin Quartet, made up of musicians Katherine Bormann, violin, Zhan Shu, violin, Gareth Zehngut, viola, and Martha Baldwin, cello   J.S. Bach: Chorales To be announced from the stage Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5 in D Major Allegretto Largo – Cantabile e mesto Menuetto – Allegro Finale – Presto Intermission J.S. Bach: Chorales To be announced from the stage Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 74 in Eb Major, "Harp" Poco adagio – Allegro Adagio ma non troppo Presto – Più presto quasi Prestissimo Allegretto con variazioni   This concert is generously sponsored by Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap
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Visit our Store

When you walk into our gallery store, there is always an element of surprise. From paintings to note cards, and sculpture to jewelry, you can find the perfect gift for a friend or yourself. We provide an cost-effective means for the art community to sell their creative products while introducing our customers to a wide variety of Northeast Ohio’s talent.

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