As one of the last remaining bastions of creativity left in the Cleveland area, it would not be too much of a stretch to say that the Inside-Outside Gallery carries quite a burden on its shoulders. While Cleveland spots like the Tower, the Underground 8, Blacklist Gallery and Moe’s may claim to offer venues for experimental artists and musicians, the Inside-Outside Gallery seems to be the only one out of the bunch completely dedicated to fostering outsider art and nothing else.

Initially opened in December 2004 as a simple art gallery, the space has since expanded to include film screenings and poetry readings, as well as live music. The gallery’s major concern has always been, as gallery curator Erin Kray said, “giving the city of Cleveland exposure to art that isn’t boring.” Suffice to say, for visiting artists, touring bands, or their local Cleveland brethren — especially for those who work a little bit on the fringe side of things — Kray and the Inside-Outside Gallery seem to be doing their jobs.

“I am trying to put together shows that are not stale,” Kray said. In the past few months, the gallery has played host to eclectic concerts from bands like Psychic Ills, Grizzly Bear (who recently visited Oberlin’s campus) and Toby Driver, as well as local Cleveland noise troupes 9-Volt Haunted House and To Be A High-Powered Executive.

Creative ideas for shows include this month’s “Noise Pandemonium Pancake Breakfast Summit Extravaganza,” which includes performances from four Ohio noise groups (three from Cleveland and one from Columbus), along with “pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, orange juice and hash browns.”

Keeping things local is also a priority.

“We’ve shown art from people that live down the street and we’ve also shown art from people in Sweden, Paris, New York [and] Barcelona,” Kray said.

The inclusive, community aspect of the gallery allows for people to be exposed to different kinds of art, whether or not they are prepared for it. As Kray explained, “a lot of kids come for bands that wouldn’t normally go to an art gallery.”

Kray grew up going to Cleveland shows at alternative venues like the Speak-N-Tongues art space where performances involving “couches being thrown, white paint by the gallon, a few dildos, wigs, and of course fireworks” weren’t uncommon. She recounted that at one particularly memorable show at Speak-N-Tongues, she was hit with some shrapnel that burned a hole in her shirt.

It was this kind of unpredictable spirit that left a lasting impression on Kray and, in turn, influenced the nature and character of the gallery. As she said, “After Speak-N-Tongues closed, I think a lot of people went into mourning. There wasn’t a D.I.Y. place in Cleveland for a while, so we were starting to be skipped on tours, and there wasn’t really a place for punk shows or experimental stuff...that sort of music/art doesn’t do so hot in the Beachland or the Grog Shop.”

While the abovementioned venues may allow fringe artists a site to showcase their work, Kray believes Inside-Outside is much more than simply a venue — it is rather an extension of Cleveland itself as well as the hotbed of creativity bubbling beneath the city’s surface.

“Inside-Outside is a state of mind,” Kray said.

When asked if the gallery would be able to flourish in any other city, Kray said, “I can’t imagine doing what we do and how we do it anywhere but in Cleveland. We need Cleveland as much as Cleveland needs us.”

For more information, please visit: http://www.insideoutsidegallery.com