Debora Erksa is an arts enthusiast, activist and gallerist in Cleveland's ARTmetro gallery in the ARTcade; she's curating memorable and controversial exhibitions such as Bitch: Verb or Noun; Viscous Arena and X,Y, & Sometimes V. This week, come out to see her at ArtMetro's rockin' benefit exhibition featuring internationally renowned celebrity artist Shannon at the Up Close and Paintable exhibition Fri 5/21 from 5-9PM, located at 530 Euclid Ave at the Colonial Marketplace Square in the Artcade.

What are the best things about Cleveland?
Debora Erksa: I have discovered incredible music venues, dining experiences, architecture, unique neighborhoods, and some wonderful people here. The quality of my life is better here than when I lived in NYC, due to the fact that Cleveland is more livable; one can actually live here rather than merely exist. I can travel easily, explore Midwest nuances (drive-ins, bowling, fish-frys), have studio space, and get to know the community where I work and live.

The worst?
I find that the public transportation needs improving. It has been my experience that the Rapid doesn’t travel as fast, far or wide as it should, and you have to be a mapmaker in order to figure out the buses. Things are spread out, and it'd be nice to hop a train and travel. I think I was spoiled by the subways of NYC (although I don’t miss how it smells in the summer).

What does Cleveland have that no other place has?
The beautiful waterfront that is accessible to all people, spacious parks, and a lot of hidden treasures that one has to hunt and find. I have wandered into some amazing antique stores, visited Indian burial mounds, and experienced nature and urban landscape in a way I have never experienced anywhere in the U.S.

What does Cleveland have to do to make itself indispensable in the 21st century?
Everyone says we need to develop our marketable resources here, especially the tremendous artistic talent and creative people here. That includes the people who create and also those that have the entrepreneurial spirit and fortitude to make it happen. It's critical that our city support and nurture these resources, so that they don’t move on to and take their skills to other cities.

What does Cleveland have to stop doing?
Apologizing for being Cleveland and trying to copy other cities. If people had as much pride in their city as they did in their sports team, there'd be a whole different energy here.

What has been your greatest contribution to this region?
My art facilitation abilities and my unshaken determination and enthusiasm.

What do you want to be remembered for when you are gone?
The fact that I am a connector. I have always had the ability to help people find a resource of some sort to make their ideas happen. Those ideas and events spin off and create a whole network of things that builds an amazing energy that keeps transforming.

What was your biggest failure and what did you learn from it?
To believe my fear and not even try. I've now learned that you can feel the fear, address it, and move on past it.

Who do you look up to?
It is hard to find one person, but I think it would be anyone with the qualities of compassion, determination, and mindful activity that affects the greater good of the whole.

What is the best advice you have been offered?
Live in the present moment.

Where are you most likely to hang out in Cleveland?
My porch with good friends - I have had the greatest ideas and conversations there.

Least likely place where you would hang out?
Inside my house saying there was nothing to do. (:divend:)