JEROME SUNNY-SIDE UP: A Tasteful Family Celebration

​JEROME SUNNY-SIDE UP: A Tasteful Family Celebration

The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and The Jerome Project team up to bring you a tasteful celebration honoring the creative brilliance of the late Jerome Caja — JEROME SUNNY-SIDE UP. This is an evening of fun, food and frolic in tandem with the current art exhibition on display — JEROME'S HOME: A Show of Motherly Love.

Anthony Cianciolo (director of The Jerome Project) and Bernardine Caja (Jerome's mother) curated the exhibition, and together they will host this evening event. All are welcome (please RSVP and see details below).

Click Here to RSVP -- Thank you!

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​JEROME CAJA
(1958 -1995)

Painter, Prankster, Performer — Jerome was a radical queer artist who produced a profound body of work. He created exquisite miniatures painted with everything you would find in a drag queen's handbag (nail polish, lipstick, eyeliner, glitter). He was only 37 when he died from complications related to HIV/AIDS.

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DESCRIPTION

JEROME SUNNY-SIDE UP is a joyful gathering of Clevelanders who are proud of their "Mistake on the Lake" roots. Come join us in a kitchen-table discussion and let's revel in Jerome's unique gallows humor. The spotlight will be on the Caja family's art collection, including several additional complimentary pieces that will be on display only for this one-off event. We will also have a public unveiling of Jerome's new AIDS Quilt panel, which will be donated to the Names Project when the show ends.

• 5:00 to 5:15 Meet-&-Greet (everyone gathers in front of the exhibition).
• 5:15 to 5:30 Opening (Anthony & Bernie give a brief intro and talk about their collaboration and curatorial vision).
• 5:30 to 5:45 Presentation (slide-show on Jerome Caja's art, life and legacy).
• 5:45 to 6:30 Kitchen-Table Discussion (family members share stories about growing up with Jerome in a devout Catholic household).
• 6:30 to 6:45 Q&A (opportunity to ask questions to the family).
• 6:45 to 7:00 Closing (Anthony & Bernie end the evening with parting thoughts and sweet treats for everyone).

JEROME'S HOME: A Show of Motherly Love is currently on display at the center and several of these paintings will be discussed throughout the event. The exhibition ends on Friday, March 28, 2025.

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LOGISTICS

Location: LGBT Center Cleveland
6705 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Phone: (216) 651-5428

Food & Drink: Light snacks will be provided with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Parking: There is limited parking in the lot behind the building, which has two accessible parking spots. There is also plenty of street parking on Detroit Avenue right in front.

RSVP: Because this is a free event open to the public, we kindly ask that everyone fill out the form so we can plan ahead of time and be able to accommodate everyone — Thank you!

​This is a new exhibition on display at the Greater Cleveland LGBT Community Center. ​Most of this artwork comes from the private collection of Bernardine Caja and the late John Caja (Jerome’s parents). It has never been displayed in its entirety until now.

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Founded in 1975, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland serves as a hub for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies by offering programs, services, and support to advance inclusion, equity, and well-being.

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Online RSVP Form

RSVP

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"Our goal is to inspire heartfelt conversations around full acceptance (not just tolerance) of LGBTQ+ and HIV+ people."

​-- Anthony & Bernine --

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by Anthony Cianciolo