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Shirts Available for Purchase Now Until April 30
To celebrate the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse over Cleveland on April 8, Canalway and the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) Advanced Studio Class of Spring 2024 are releasing a collection of Total Solar Eclipse T-shirts featuring custom work by each student. Proceeds from shirt sales now through the end of April will benefit the non-profit Canalway.
T-shirts are available via Canalway’s online store for a limited time and will be printed on-demand.
The collection features 10 unique designs created specifically for Canalway by CIA students to recognize the celestial event. Students in the class include Robin Sutherland Wagner, Matison Griffie, Haley McMaster, Lia Weiksner, Emersyn Black, Kaylyn Kopp, Benjamin McDougall, Violet Randle, Mya Stipanovich and Izzy Taulbee. The class is led by Katie Melnick, Professor of Practice in CIA’s Graphic Design program.
“The students put so much thought and talent into these designs. They spent time thinking about Canalway’s brand and brought their own personal aesthetic into the work. Everyone who is interested in purchasing a shirt will find one that connects to their experience with the solar eclipse in Cleveland,” said Meghan Tinker Paynter, director of communications at Canalway.
“Our CIA students gain significant experience working directly on client projects and by making connections with organizations in our community. The solar eclipse itself is a unique opportunity, and they were excited to create designs celebrating this remarkable event,” said Greg Watts, Vice President of Academic Affairs + Dean of Faculty at CIA.
Students provided the designs to Canalway for use in the T-shirt collection now through April 30 to raise funds for the cultural heritage non-profit. The students retain ownership of the artwork. Some designs are also available for purchase in kids’ sizes, sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts.
Ohio is one of only 13 states in the path of totality, and Cleveland has one of the longest durations of total darkness – nearly four minutes. The eclipse will begin in Cleveland on April 8 at 2 pm. Totality begins at 3:13 pm. The eclipse is expected to attract people from all over the country and world.
The last time a solar eclipse was visible in Cleveland was 1806, and it won’t darken the city's sky again until 2444.
About the Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 600 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.
