Exhibitions

Current Exhibits

May Fortune Be Kind and Give Us Trees: The Arboreal History of Shaker HeightsDecember 14, 2024 - March 2, 2025 

For centuries, trees have played an integral role in the development of community in Shaker Heights. Picturesque tree-lined streets are a beloved hallmark of this garden-style suburb, but the use and impact of trees extend far beyond aesthetics. May Fortune Be Kind and Give Us Trees explores the intertwined history of nature and community in Shaker Heights. From the North Union Shakers' Holy Grove to the city's Garden City inspiration to its present-day Tree City designation, the community's relationship with trees reflects a deep-rooted and enduring connection to the landscape.

This exhibition is made possible with support from Bartlett Tree Experts and residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Trees and Fluffy Things — September 28, 2024 - February 16, 2025 

Trees and Fluffy Things is a vibrant celebration of the historical trees in Shaker Heights, highlighting the majestic beauty of both native species and those that were thoughtfully introduced over time. Each piece pays homage to the unique stories these trees hold, reflecting the deep-rooted history of the area. Adding a playful twist, every painting features the delightful presence of chickens, bringing a touch of whimsy and joy to the exhibition, symbolizing the harmony between nature and the creatures that call it home.

About the Artist: Ewuresi Archer is a Ghanaian American Painter and Printmaker based in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2022 with a BFA in Painting and an emphasis in Printmaking. Archer's work is known for its highly saturated, glowing color palette, energetic marks, and distorted imagery that leaves viewers yearning for something just out of reach. Through her art, Archer not only elevates her culture by creating visual tributes to Ghana's rich traditions but also deepens her understanding of a culture she felt distant from while growing up. Her work has been featured in multiple group exhibitions, including Waking Dream at River House Arts in Toledo, OH, and I Am My Best Work at The Painting Center in New York, NY, and she co-curated Traditions: Breaking Bread, an exhibition featured in the Black Arts Showcase Cleveland at the Pivot Center in Cleveland, OH. Archer has had two solo shows, Alluring Souls at the Beltline Project in Detroit, MI, and You Are Invited: Your Hands and Mouth Are Not, following a residency with Akron Soul Train in Akron, OH. She won 1st Place at The First Annual Paul and Norma Tikkanen Painting Prize in 2022 and has been featured in Canvas Rebel and New Art Examiner. Most recently, Archer was awarded a Satellite Fund administered by SPACES Cleveland and funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, where she will be creating a recipe/art book, KWERH!!!!, set for completion by the end of Summer 2024.

Exhibitions at the Shaker Historical Society are made possible with current or previous support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the Ohio Arts Council.

Upcoming Exhibits

Shaker SellsMarch 7 - August 10, 2025 

In the 19th century, the Shaker name signified quality through the brooms, furniture, seeds, and medicinal herbs that sustained their communities. After the decline of Cleveland’s North Union Village, the Van Sweringen brothers repurposed Shaker imagery to market Shaker Heights as an idyllic escape from industrial Cleveland. Their exclusive suburb contradicted Shaker values, yet the romanticized image of a “peaceful Shaker village” fueled the city’s growth and remains a lasting brand to today.

Shaker Sells is co-curated by Cleveland State University student Elliot Rendall and is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

History is Messy — March 7 - June 1, 2025 

Between 1883 and 1929, Andrew Carnegie funded 2,500 “Carnegie Libraries,” 1,700 in the United States. He required local support for the libraries but not much else. It amounted to over a billion dollars in today’s funds. Carnegie was an emblem of the Gilded Age and a ruthless businessman. Here we are roughly a century later and, arguably, are in yet a second gilded age. Most of these libraries are still in use - in cities and very small towns. Although a great deal has changed, when you go into these places, a great deal is the same. Children still listen to stories. It is a safe and comfortable place. There are still books, though there are computers, the Internet, audiobooks, and a full spectrum of contemporary media. Librarians are there to recommend and to assist in research. The public value of these places is palpable. You can feel it.

The project includes 125 libraries in 12 states and one province. In each image, there is a librarian with a favorite book. The upcoming viewing of History is Messy highlights selections from this body of work, including photographs of Cleveland-area Carnegie libraries. This exhibit is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

About the Artist: Charles “Chuck” Mintz studied photography at Maine Photographic Workshop, Parsons School of Design, International Center for Photography, Lakeland Community College, and Cuyahoga Community College. He has a BSEE from Purdue University and an MSEE from Cleveland State University. He is the former board chair of ICA–Art Conservation in Cleveland, OH and board member of the Cleveland Museum of Art – Friends of Photography. Chuck is a Life Director at Jewish Family Services of Cleveland. His work is found in museums, including the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and private and corporate collections in North America, Europe, and Asia. Chuck was awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for 2017 and 2015.

The Lissauer Gallery features art from Northeast Ohio artists. Founded by Jack and Linda Lissauer, Shaker Heights residents and longtime supporters of the arts, this intimate gallery is designed to encourage emerging artists, promote an appreciation of art, and support local artists. We also acknowledge partnerships with leading galleries such as Bonfoey Gallery, The Maria Neil Art Project, and the former Tregoning & Co.


Please note the Lissauer Gallery is on the second floor and is not ADA accessible. Navigation of stairs is required to view the Lissauer Gallery.

CURRENT LISSAUER EXHIBIT: Trees and Fluffy Things by Ewuresi Archer | September 28, 2024 - February 16, 2025

Past Exhibitors