Local art plus business equals community

Heights Arts, under the direction of Peggy Spaeth, has been the advocate for art, artists and community collaboration in our region for more than a decade.

Recognizing that her longtime home is a region brimming with artistic and creative talent, Spaeth knew the importance of connecting these resources with the collective population, and with the unique businesses that make up the distinctive character of the Heights.

A visual artist in her own right, and a strong believer in the importance of art in education, Spaeth became a champion for bringing the arts into the classroom and the community. Working with the PTA, she initiated both the inclusion of certified art teachers in the city's schools and collaborations with artists to develop creative playgrounds for students. Later, weekly gatherings throughout the summers, known as Party in the Heights, became a precursor to widely attended events, such as the Coventry Street Arts Fair and the Music and Movie series.

It became evident to Spaeth and others that this city of "cultural omnivores" hungered for opportunities to interact with art on all levels, and Heights Arts was conceived with the mission to enrich the quality of life in the Heights through art.

Heights Arts, a nonprofit organization, is responsible for organizing the special touches around the Heights that draw interest and reinforce our community as a destination for visitors and shoppers. Through public art projects, including murals and outdoor sculpture, neighborhood gatherings, and its own storefront gallery, Heights Arts succeeds at infusing art into every aspect of life, creating a synergy between the arts and the business community.

"Good public art and design can help create a sense of place," said Spaeth. "That's how you build community—you find a common vision and you work together to build relationships."

Currently, Heights Arts is working with property owners to beautify and unify our business districts with window banners in empty storefronts. "These banners fill a void by creating an attractive, inviting environment, and will hopefully increase the value for potential merchants to establish their businesses in our community," Spaeth added.

To learn more about Heights Arts programs, sign up for its e-mail newsletter at www.heightsarts.org.

Megan Johnson is the interim executive director of the Heights Independent Business Alliance. Phillip Hewitt is a student at John Carroll University and an intern with HIBA.

Heights Arts is a charter member of the Heights Independent Business Alliance. HIBA launched in October 2010 with the mission of building a vital local economy based on independent, locally-owned businesses and helping local entrepreneurs to thrive by uniting and educating the public about the benefits of keeping their money recycling within their own community. To learn more about HIBA and to apply for membership as a business, nonprofit organization or Heights resident, go to www.ShopHiba.org.