AIA Ohio President Elect Steve Shinn, AIA and I continued our efforts of meeting with the membership or boards of each of Ohio’s seven chapters with a meeting at the Intermuseum Conservation Association offices and workshop in Cleveland on Thursday, March 18, 2010. This facility is world renowned for its restoration and preservation of artwork and is the oldest regional center of its kind in the United States. Both Steve and I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the needs and challenges of members as many still struggle to work through the economic downturn, but were encouraged by the efforts of the members of the Cleveland Chapter.
Not only did we have the opportunity to meet the members on Thursday evening, but I also had the chance to visit with the members of the Board on Friday morning. Under the direction of President Bruce Jackson, AIA, Cleveland is in the middle of finishing this year’s plans for Architecture Week, held during the week of April 16th through the 24th. In an article in Crain’s Cleveland Business published last week, events will include exhibits of work of local architects and architectural firms, PechaKucha Cleveland, and two panel discussions including “No Building Left Behind” and “Envisioning the Future of Cleveland”. A reception and Lecture by George Hartman on the History of Architectural Education and The Community of Architects will round out the program. AIA Cleveland and the members of the planning committee should be congratulated for what appears to be an excellent program. Again we thank AIA Cleveland for their hospitality in welcoming us to their chapter and for the opportunity to discuss this years opportunities and challenges. More on the Cleveland Architecture Week can be found on the Cleveland website at www.aiacleveland.com
As we move into the spring, Steve and I will continue our visits throughout the state with planned meetings in Dayton on April 8th, Columbus, April 13th, and Cincinnati on May 11th. We hope to schedule meetings with the other chapters within the next two months so we can better begin understand the needs of the chapters and membership and improve our planning efforts for 2011.