This month Cool Cleveland's talking with Lisa Nemeth and Gillian Barnes, owners of Finestra Studio in Lake County. What began as a far-flung idea discussed while the two were out jogging has taken shape and is now shaking Cleveland's art scene and its patrons' perceptions full throttle, one customer at a time. Any given day, their art gallery's paved with a tableau of local personalities, attracting artists, friends, neighbors and onlookers, dropping in for communal discussions if only to "hang out," and did we mention this happens aside from their gallery openings? They're female entrepreneurs consistently reinforcing significance of community; tying it together in the form of relationships in the art arena, personalizing their space by sharing it with anyone who walks through their doors. It's proved an effective financial strategy, sales are brisk and customers are loyal. The conversations held are as hot and tempting as the weekly art featured.

CC: What is the best thing about Cleveland?

LN: Tremont, Murray Hill, Ohio City and the Warehouse District, all its cultural activities.

GB: Lake Erie views, its ambience of bridges and water gracing Cleveland's architectural makeup.

CC: The worst thing?

LN: Places close too early, there's not alot to do on Sunday nights.

GB: Non-Clevelanders' misconceptions of Cleveland.

CC: What does Cleveland have that no other place has?

LN: Lebron!

GB: It's unique interlacing of diverse, interesting niches to hang out; Little Italy, Ohio City, its theatres, parks and restaurants are ever changing and colorful.

CC: What does Cleveland have to do to make itself indispensable in the 21st Century?

LN: Be cutting edge, with cool entertainment, things to do, art/music/galleries/culture.

GB: Support its cultural resources. Diverse cultural elements are a city's real beauty marks.

CC: What does Cleveland have to stop doing?

LN: Giving me speeding tickets!

GB: Relaying the same, boring news in humdrum tone; the bad news in the same breath as the good.

CC: What has been your greatest contribution to this area?

LN: My children.

GB: Opening a diverse art gallery with metropolitan flavor in an area that has nothing else like it....that needs it and appreciates it.

CC: What do you want to be rememebered for when you're gone?

LN: That I was a good mother to my two incredible kids and a good businesswoman.

GB: My spirit, which can be found in my writing and also in the hearts of those I love and those I've connected with.

CC: Cleveland is not a town that celebrates failures, but maybe it should. What was your biggest failure and what was learned by it?

LN: Wow, a very personal question. My biggest failure is that I didn't go onto college and further my education.

GB: A failed marriage. I learned to be true to myself, pick myself up, look toward new horizons. I learned how extraordinarily resilient I am.

CC: Who do you look up to?

LN: My kids! My son Michael is an incredible man; a good, kind, brilliant person and my daughter Courtney is so full of life and promise.

GB: Various people at different times in my life. Those whose words and eyes evidence their wisdom.

CC: Do you have a motto?

LN: Trust thyself!

GB: Stay young at heart, be observant of life

CC: What's the best advice you've been offered?

LN: Again, trust thyself!

GB: Follow your bliss!

CC: Where are you most likely to hang out in Cleveland?

LN: The Warehouse District or La Dolce Vita in Little Italy

GB: Tremont and Little Italy

CC: Where are you least likely to hang out?

LN: The flats

GB: Places like Shooters

 (:divend:)