New Exhibition in Cleveland: "JEROME'S HOME"

JEROME’S HOME: A Show of Motherly Love

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

Jewel-Box Exhibition

This collection of paintings, photos and reliquaries have rarely been seen since Jerome Caja’s death in 1995 from complications related to HIV/AIDS. These “Little Lovelies” (a term coined by Jerome himself) are exquisite miniatures painted with everything you would find in a drag queen's handbag (nail polish, lipstick, eye liner, glitter). His canvases include pistachio shells, lockets, bottle caps, and small scraps of paper. Hidden in these elaborate works are locks of hair, fingernails, and even the ashes of a beloved friend.

Within This Collection

The love a mother has for her child radiates. Saint Anne hands a rose to the young Virgin Mary. Touching Madonna and Child motifs abound. A fertile green pea pod gives birth to a wide assortment of smiley faced peas. Eggs in all forms imaginable pop up everywhere. And a gathering of bewitching beating hearts circulate the Divine Feminine throughout.

Eggs Having Turkey Dinner Take Center Stage

This family portrait captures Jerome’s terrible beauty. It’s a layered snapshot of a traditional American holiday gone horribly wrong. Cannibalistic eggs hungrily gather around the kitchen table to eat their maker. One sibling slips off its egg stand, splats all over the floor, and dies cracked wide open. All of this plays out while only one young family member raises its eyebrows in horror because they're the only one who can see what's really going on. Jerome had a wry sense of humor. Especially when it came to the tiniest details expressed in his work. Can you find the fried grandparents tastefully making their way to heaven sunny-side up?

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

This exhibition is dedicated to: all the LGBTQ+ people who have suffered some form of family alienation and/or outright exclusion from their families; all the families struggling with supporting and loving their LGBTQ+ family member; and most importantly, to Jerome, who dedicated his entire life’s work to making a profound body of art.

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Exhibition Details
Curated by: Anthony Cianciolo & Bernie Caja
Produced by: The Jerome Project 
Presented & Sponsored by: The Greater Cleveland LGBT Community Center

Location
Cleveland LGBT Community Center
6705 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102
Phone: (216) 651-5428

Dates
Soft Opening: Dec 1, 2024 (World AIDS Day)
Official Opening: Jan 1 to March 28, 2025

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Saturday & Sunday (Closed to the public)
Exception: Open on the 4th Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

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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.​

For More Info

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​​Please Note: This show is appropriate for all ages and is free to the general public. Parking is limited in the lot behind the building, which has two disabled parking spots. There is also plenty of street parking on Detroit Avenue right in front of the center. Feel free to call the center if you have further questions.
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​​​​— Stay Tuned for Upcoming Special Events —​

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Post by Anthony Cianciolo