Local artist advances to grand-prize round in yearlong competition
Voters have chosen Pam Spremulli, a nationally acclaimed graphic illustrator based in Chagrin Falls, as the winner of Round 2 in the CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) “Paint the District” competition. The yearlong competition will choose a local artist to create a work for permanent display in CCM’s new corporate headquarters in downtown Cleveland.
A graduate of Niagara University and accredited by Boston’s School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Spremulli is best known for her colorful interpretations of architectural landmarks. She is a member of the Northern Ohio Illustrator’s Society, Visual Arts of Chautauqua Institution and Chagrin Falls Arts Commission. Her Paint the District submission, “SilverLining,” is an illustration of a seagull exploring the Lake Erie shoreline.
“During the height of the pandemic, I experimented a lot with natural landscapes. Stepping away from my normal architectural topics, I found creating imagery with mother nature to be therapeutic,” Spremulli said. “Discovering the shores of Lake Erie again brought something new, valuing what is in front of me after years of taking it for granted.
In advancing to the grand-prize round, Spremulli will join Cleveland artist Scott Goss, winner of Round 1, and two additional artists to be selected in rounds 3 and 4. Three finalists in each round receive a $1,500 award from CCM, while the grand-prize winner will receive $5,000 as well as funds to cover materials and installation of their work in CCM’s new headquarters in the Superior Arts District. CCM will move to the new, 168,000-square-foot campus later this year.
“This competition is just one of the many ways CCM will be a great corporate citizen and valued contributor to the revitalization of this historic neighborhood,” said Laura Soave, the company’s chief brand officer. “We are thrilled by the response to Paint the District, not only by local artists but the growing number of area citizens who are following the competition and casting their votes.”
Round 3 Now Underway
Voting is now open through March 31 in Round 3 of the competition. Round 3 finalists are Eileen Dorsey (“Wild Woods”), Garrett Weider (“More Alike Than Different”) and April Bleakney (“The Fortunes”).
Call for Entries for Round 4
Additionally, CCM is now accepting artist submissions for Round 4.
Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 1.