Taste the arts at Whole Foods

On Tuesday, Feb. 16,  Whole Foods Market is donating 5 percent of the day’s net sales to Heights Arts, and customers can help simply by showing up to shop. 

This 5% Day will launch Fencepiration, a Heights Arts temporary public art project in partnership with Whole Foods, the Coral Company and the City of South Euclid. Artists Carol Hummel and Debbie Apple Presser will involve community members in transforming a utilitarian construction fence on Cedar Road into a visually interesting, inspiring and attractive streetscape element during the multiyear construction process. Fencepiration will use recycled materials and recycle them upon completion. A prototype will be on view on 5% Day.

Free arty activities in the café during the day will include:

11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.: 

Create elements for Fencepiration with Debbie Apple Presser,

7 p.m.: 

Cleveland Heights Poet Laureate Gail Bellamy will read poems about food,

At a time to be announced, Mayor Georgine Welo of South Euclid will officially launch Fencepiration.

Those in attendance will enjoy complimentary canned beverages, which –after rinsing– will be integrated into the piece.

There will also be food haiku sprinkled about the store and chamber music by Cleveland Orchestra musicians.  

 “We’re looking forward to giving Whole Foods customers a taste of what we do,” said John Panza, board president of Heights Arts. “They’ll sample a public art project, poetry, and music throughout the day to become more aware of the flavor of the arts in our community.”

“We are thrilled to support the goals of Heights Arts,” said Cheri Patton, store team leader for Whole Foods Market, Cedar Center. “Their initiatives to inspire public participation in the arts help to strengthen our community, and we are proud to take an active role in the organization’s current and future endeavors.”

A schedule of free community workshops to help make elements for the Fencepiration project will be announced in the coming weeks.

Whole Foods Market Cedar Center

13998 Cedar Road (at Warrensville Center Road), University Heights

For more information, call Heights Arts at 216-371-3457.

Peggy Spaeth is the executive director of Heights Arts.