No Exit  presents Cleveland Renaissance: Art of the Cleveland School, an exploration of one of Cleveland’s greatest artistic legacies through the lens of music and poetry. In the first half of the 20th century, Cleveland was home to an extraordinary and vibrant creative zeitgeist which included some of the most visionary, adventurous and masterful artists that this country has ever produced. No Exit celebrates the artists of the Cleveland School with brand-new musical and poetic works which will serve as companion pieces to paintings from Clarence Holbrook Carter, William Sommer, Clara Deike, Hughie Lee-Smith, August Biehle, Clarence Van Duzer and Charles Sallée.

Featured are world premiere musical works by Adonai Henderson, Gleb Kanasevich, Christopher Neiner, Greg D’Alessio, James Praznik and Timothy Beyer. Also included on the program are new poetic creations written and performed by Ray McNiece and Raja Belle Freeman. The ensemble will be joined by harpist Stephan Haluska.

As always, No Exit events are free and open to the public. Adventurous minds are welcome!

PROGRAM

Musical Works

Figures with Birds (2026)

Chris Neiner

After Figures with Birds (1925) by August Biehle

Clarence Carter (2026)

Greg D’Alessio

After Jane Reed and Dora Hunt (1941) and Eschatos no.6  by Clarence Holbrook Carter

Left Unsaid (2026)

Adonai Henderson

After The Confrontation (1970) by Hughie Lee-Smith

Anti-Fascist Triptych (2026)

James Praznik

After Anti-Fascist Triptych (1945) by Clarence Van Duzer

VANITY (2026)

Gleb Kanasevich

After Shells (1937) by Clara Deike

The Japanese Bridge (2026)

Timothy Beyer

After The Japanese Bridge (1913) by William Sommer

Poetic Works

Plume (2026)

Ray McNiece

After The Brandywine in Winter (ca. 1923-1925) by William Sommer

Hi Stranger (2026)

Raja Belle Freeman

After Bedtime (1940) by Charles Sallée

Sunday Morning Apples (1927)

To William Sommer

Hart Crane