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While his biography is too extensive to include in this obituary, Cleveland’s love of art was complemented by his love for politics. As an activist/artist, he served as cultural affairs liaison to Assemblyman Elihu Harris, served as chairman on the Alameda County Arts Commission, was District Organizer of the San Francisco Neighborhood Arts Program, consultant to Los Angeles County Recreation Department, consultant to Council ofMuseums and Education to Visual Arts in New York, and participated on many local boards, commissions, and councils in the East Bay. He loved the City of Oakland and never missed an opportunity to serve as a consultant, advising many city officials, friends, and colleagues on art and marketing the City.
Always young at heart, Cleveland was quite a social networker. “Everybody Loves Cleveland” and if you had a chance to meet Cleveland, you would never forget him. He was active in his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, for many years and was known for many parties, volleyball games, backgammon challenges and other social gatherings throughout the Bay Area. An avid car and racing enthusiast, he loved NASCAR and actively followed the career of 17 year old racecar driver Austin Harris, a young African American and Bay Area resident. In 1971, he opened “Earth N Arts” Gallery in Oakland, CA as Exhibits Curator along with business partner and artist, Gale Fulton-Ross. From 1971- 1975, the gallery served as one of the first black art and graphic design galleries in Oakland, California. During this time, he produced several artworks, which are still in distribution today. As a nationally and internationally recognized artist, his work has been exhibited in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and in Lagos Nigeria. Most recent exhibits include the Spears Gallery in Sacramento, CA,David Lusenhop Gallery in Chicago, IL and the Woodmere Museum in Philadelphia, PA as part of the Lewis Tanner Moore Collection of African American Art.
In 2003, Cleveland re-established his 25-year friendship with Barbara L. Fernandez, and on September 9, 2006, Barbara and Cleveland were married in Las Vegas, NV. His love for Barbara was passionate, committed, and loving. Among their many interests, they started Bay Ventures Gallery and produced several art shows, many of which were held in their home. Cleveland was a giving soul, and it was his idea to highlight not only his artwork, but also the artworks of many fellow artists. When he wasn’t creating new artworks, he enjoyed watching television, particularly the “Animal and the History Channels” with a daily glass of Cabernet. He was a committed, friend, artist, and activist and will be deeply missed.
Bay Area Artist, Cleveland John Bellow, passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2009 from a long and courageous battle with cancer. His wife Barbara, stepdaughter Cleveland began his career as an activist artist and his work was greatly influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and such great icons at Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, the leaders of the Black Panther Party and campus reformers. He worked tirelessly to bring attention, recognition and respect to Black artists and their contributions to American history. He was one of the first artists in America to utilize billboards to exhibit Fine Art. Eager to share his knowledge and experience, Cleveland lectured at the University of California, Berkeley. He was also an Instructor of Art, Art Education and Training at De Young Museum, San Francisco, California from 1972-1980; Consultant for CETA Artist Training Program; Bay Area Urban League, 1979; Instructor of Art at Laney College, Oakland, CA; Instructor of Art and Art History at Alcorn A&M College in Lorman, Mississippi from 1971-1972. From 1968 to 1971, he worked as Arts and Crafts Specialist and Instructor at the Oakland Department of Parks and Recreation. Always willing to share his knowledge, talents, skills and abilities with others, he served as Placement Director at Platt College in San Francisco and continued to mentor young graphic artists as they pursued their education and their careers.
Cleveland is survived by his wife, Barbara and his step-daughter, Brianne Fernandez, his mother and father Hazel and Calvin Bellow, his mother and father-in law, Arrece and Bobbie Jameson; his brother, Arnold Bellow and his wife, Gayle and their children, Aaron, Marc and his wife Stephanie, Chad, Kyle, and their grandsons, Miles, Derek and Jayden; his brother and sister-in law, Dr. Carl and Gloria Jameson and their son Parker; his aunts, Ida and Mabel Guillory, his uncles, Albert and Willie Lewis; his cousins, Edmond Lewis, Brenda Lewis Gusman, Debra Lewis Ivy, Wanda Lewis Dragan, Marvin Lewis, Myrick Guillory, Ronald Guillory, Ledra Guillory-Thibodeaux, Glenn Guillory, Trina Carvano, Craig Guillory, Bryan Lewis,Terence Lewis,Yvette Sims, Ruth Ann Paul, Gilbert Thomas, Albert Lewis-Dyrness, Lisa Lewis Truit, Mona Lewis, Vera Lewis-Conrad, Oliver Bellow, Wilbert Bellow, John Bellow, Betty Cooper, Sandra Williams, Peggy Lenoir, Debra Callier, Robert Callier, Jackie Henry, Mildred Rene, Dorothy Hardy, Richard Callier, and a host of second and third cousins. He was preceded in death by his aunt Agnes Thomas, and his uncles Paul Lewis, Moses and Raymond Guillory, and cousins Ronnie Callier, and Erleen Thomas.
“Art gives me a view into the past and allows me an avenue to reflect on what was. Art provides me with vision to see beyond ourselves and affords a view of what can be in a world of possibilities.”
His most recent work, as in previous pieces, movement, motion, and moving, are key elements. As in life, you “gotta keep making moves.”
Oakland Bay Area artist, Cleveland Bellow, began his lifelong career as an “activist” artist back in the heady days of the Civil Rights Movement. Influenced by the words and deeds of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, the leaders of the Black Panther Party, and campus reformers, he became a dedicated and tireless contributor to the community.
Educated at the California College of Arts & Crafts, Bellow took his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and his Masters degree in Art and Education. Having received his credentialing for both California secondary schools as well as California Community Colleges, he instructed and mentored students at numerous high schools, colleges and programs including the prestigious De Young Museum Art School of San Francisco. By sharing his talents and thoughts, he helped young people focus on the importance of education and pursuing their dreams. Many of his early works were drawings of some of the role models of the African American community, such as Stevie Wonder, Muhammad Ali, and Martin Luther King and he used these works of art in his teaching to help influence his students in a positive way.
Bellow served as Cultural Affairs Liaison to Assemblyman Elihu Harris, Commissioner on the Alameda County Art Commission, Exhibits Curator to Earth ‘N Arts Gallery of Oakland, District Organizer of San Francisco Neighborhood Arts Program, Consultant to Council of Museums and Education to Visual Arts in New York as well as other commissions, boards and appointments. In 1976 he received a Rockefeller Fellowship in Museum Education and in 1980, he was awarded the distinguished National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. He is the recipient of numerous other awards and honors.
As a nationally and internationally recognized artist, Cleveland Bellow’s work has been shown in New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Lagos, Nigeria and in over 60 exhibitions. He has successfully published 22 Limited edition prints including two highly regarded portfolios; the Nimba Series Portfolio and the Contemporary Folk Heroes Portfolio. Hoodoo Man, a mixed media painting from the “Taking Another Step” exhibit is a featured piece of The Spears Gallery private collection.
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