FRONT Gala 2022: Celebrating Contemporary Art in Cleveland

If you know anything about us here at Oak + Honey, you know we love the 216.  Cleveland is a hot spot for arts and culture, and we’re always eager for an opportunity to celebrate all that makes our city special. So when we got a chance to work with FRONT International on their contemporary art exhibition, you can imagine how excited we were to get our hands in the mix!

Throughout the summer of 2022, FRONT International filled Cleveland with art exhibitions from 75+ local, national, and international artists. The theme, Oh Gods of Dust and Rainbows, “embraced art as an agent of transformation, a mode of healing, and a therapeutic process.” And to launch such an extraordinary months-long experience, we needed to put on an equally extraordinary event to kick off the citywide celebration.

The FRONT Gala welcomed exceptional artists from around the world to honor their craft and recognize the awardees of the Arts Futures Fellowship. Set at The Madison, we wanted to create a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Cocktail tables and lounge spaces set the vibe for mingling outside over one of two signature cocktails: the FRONT Healing Delux and the FRONT Polyvocal Summer.

Upon entering, guests were treated to the VIP experience with a custom backdrop and onsite “paparazzi” before reaching the large warehouse space for the reception. Loose wildflower centerpieces and votive candles created a simple, clean design throughout. At the front, lime green and hot pink drapery paired with vibrant purple uplighting for an electric vibe — just the energy we wanted to bring for local artists, L’Rain and Mourning [A] BLKstar!

All in all, it was a fabulous kickoff event for an incredible summerlong celebration of art. We’re already looking forward to FRONT International’s next exhibition in 2025, and we hope to see you there!

Sponsor: CrossCountry Mortgage // Venue: The Madison // Catering: Spice Catering // Entertainment: L’Rain // Entertainment: Mourning [A] BLKstar // Desserts: Busy B Bakery // Event Planner: Oak + Honey Event Planning Co.