In 2009, I teamed with another researcher and a benefactor with a strong connection to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, a string of over thirty gardens dedicated to the cultural and nationality groups that founded and contributed to the city in its infancy. The gardens were founded in 1916, and continue to grow as existing gardens are expanded and new gardens are initiated.

My vision is for a page-by-page book that clearly catalogues and describes each garden with detailed architectural drawings, watercolor sketches, photography, and clear descriptions of the physical aspects of each garden, the gardens’ founders, and memorable events throughout the gardens’ history.

Artistic difference halted the project. We met with a bleak reality that the co-writer wanted to grasp the reigns, and the funder did not realize the amount of time and effort required for each piece of artwork necessary in the program. Also, it became quite clear that work with a university publisher would likely entail that entity seizing as much as the proceeds as possible, while leaving the artist in the cold. So we obtained counsel, and await stronger funding before continuing.