BAYarts Fuller House renovation begins

Supporters gather at the groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the Irene Fuller House.
View Image Gallery

BAYarts kicked off the renovation of the Irene Lawrence Fuller House April 29 with a groundbreaking ceremony on the BAYarts campus. In attendance were Senator Tom Patton, Representative Nan Baker, Bay Village mayor Debbie Sutherland, new Cleveland Metroparks Director Brian Zimmerman and other park directors, community leaders and educators.

BAYarts is a non-profit arts education organization funded by the Cuyahoga Cultural Facilities Commission, the Ohio Arts Council and earned income through education fees and membership. BAYarts was awarded at $250,000 grant by the Ohio Cultural facilities Commission with an addtional $100,000 commitment from Cleveland Metroparks for the renovation An additional capital campaign is underway with many of the naming rights already claimed.

The Fuller House restoration will allow BAYarts to provide a welcoming communal gathering place for gallery openings, concerts and events; provide first-rate art education and programming with a top-notch faculty; support regional artists through exhibitions, consignment shows and festivals; and serve as a gathering place for community groups.

The building was moved to the campus on a barge in 1984 to national media coverage but is just as well known as the house where the famous Dr. Sam Sheppard was arrested for the murder of his wife.

The building was slated for renovation 26 years ago, but has remained unfinished and used for storage. The renovation will include a gallery, classrooms and art books library. The grand re-opening of the new facility will coincide with Bay Village’s Bicentennial on 10-10-10.