Tara Seibel, a Cleveland artist who worked as Harvey Pekar's illustrator before his death in 2010, has opened a gallery and studio in a pied-a-terre above Presti's Bakery on Mayfield Road in Little Italy.

"It's a boutique gallery," says Seibel of the second-floor studio that she leased several years ago when working for Pekar, but gave up after his death. This time, she plans to keep it. "You get to see beautiful architecture out the window, and there's a balcony. It's like a Paris apartment."

The Tara Seibel Art Gallery features "fine art at reasonable prices," including the artist's own illustrations, comic art, paintings, jewelry, scarves and greeting cards. She also markets artwork by other Northeast Ohio artists such as Cathryn Kapp (pencil drawings), Nicole Mawby (glass beadwork) and Mark Nafziger (pottery).

"I'm one of these insane Cleveland people who has moved away twice and come back," she says. "I want to build Cleveland and pioneer the art scene here. I feel really great about promoting other Cleveland artists and helping people that way."

Seibel also plans to offer workshops such as "Crafts and Laughs" that tap into the avante garde crafting scene in Cleveland. Her current art show, "Back to Earth," takes its inspiration from regional nature scenes and runs until December 1.

Regarding the Little Italy location, Seibel cites more than 50 other galleries and arts businesses in the area, along with great restaurants. "It's always bustling."

The Tara Seibel Art Gallery is located at 12107 Mayfield Road, Suite 202.

Source: Tara Siebel
Writer: Lee Chilcote