Our next testimonial on 20 Years of Artwalk comes from Andy Timithy, who appears in Steven Mastroianni’s portrait, below, with Linda Baldizzi, co-owner of the Literary Cafe, located at 1031 Literary Road (216.308.1962). This is a correction, as The Tremonster misprinted another image for Andy and Linda in the printed edition. We are so sorry, Andy and Linda!!! We are proud to print this beautiful, correct image for Linda and Andy below, along with Andy Timithy’s memories of the first ArtWalk.
Andy Timithy
“Probably the reason we got involved with ArtWalk was because we both went to art school, and we realized how expensive it was – and hard to get into an existing gallery – and we thought it would be good to be part of the ArtWalk because it would enable artists to show their work, and probably sell it, without commission – we never took a commission. We felt like we were doing our part to help emerging artists. I have a video on YouTube that shows the artwork hanging on our walls for the first ArtWalk. I don’t really remember the first night of ArtWalk – bartending, or whatever – but you can lump that in with thousands of nights I don’t remember. I would just say that I was really, really amazed at how many people were in the neighborhood for ArtWalk. It was way, way more than I ever thought. It was very, very successful. We were crowded – and I mean crowded like we haven’t been again, since. I think other potential bar owners were like, ‘hey, check this out – look what’s going on, here!’ My biggest memory is just how darn crowded it was in here. Unbelievable. Those were really, really special days. I always look upon those days, here, in the neighborhood, I always refer to them as the ‘Golden Era’ because it was just like everything was new, and the possibilities seemed limitless, and there was a lot of energy in a lot of people. It was a magic time, and it continues on, you know. I’m glad to have been a part of it. I’m proud, actually. I feel like I had a little part in helping Cleveland get a little bit better.”
Linda Baldizzi and Andy Timithy, owners of the Literary Cafe, one of the earliest sites for artists’ exhibitions in the neighborhood (photo by Steven Mastroianni)
