leveland’s art lovers need no introduction to the
free-standing brick building that graces the Shaker Heights end of
Larchmere Boulevard’s business district.
For 40-plus years, the 1930s-era building – a former power station for
streetcars – housed the highly regarded Sylvia Ullman American Arts and Crafts Gallery.
Last spring, the building became home to another esteemed Cleveland art gallery: WOLFS,
which specializes in fine and decorative arts.
Step into 13010 Larchmere and it’s easy to see why WOLFS made the move to Shaker,
from its former location up the street in Cleveland. Light spills from a dozen or so enormous,
industrial-style windows into a spacious venue with soaring 30-foot ceilings.
The building was renovated in 2013 by owner Ilene Greenblatt. At 8,500-square-feet,
it’s perfectly suited for WOLFS’ collection of more than four centuries of art.
Indeed, the range of art available at WOLFS, from 17th century to contemporary
works, makes the gallery unique, and not just in Cleveland.
“Even in New York, you don’t really find places like this. A lot of other galleries may only
handle 20th century American art or contemporary art, but we’re comfortable handling centuries
of things,” explains Shaker resident Bridget McWilliams, who runs the gallery with longtime
business partner Michael Wolf. The gallery is owned by Wolf’s family.
“Even in
New York,
you don’t
really find
places
like this.”
SHAKER LIFE | SPRING 2015 43
Michael Wolf and Bridget McWilliams with McWilliams’ French bulldog Hooper.
Facing page: “Summer Bouquet”(1948) by Cleveland School artist Paul Travis
(1891-1975). Oil on Masonite, 30 x 25”. Photo courtesy WOLFS Gallery