“Pull Back the Curtain” Speaker Series
This FREE lecture series takes place once per month in Fairmount’s Fall and Winter/Spring sessions and features experts in a variety of arts disciplines who share their knowledge in an intimate setting. Lectures are family-friendly, but are typically geared towards adult audiences.
Lectures take place at Fairmount’s Novelty location (8400 Fairmount Rd.) from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on selected Sunday afternoons. See below for upcoming Speaker Series events. Prior registration is not necessary, but strongly encouraged. Please follow the link to register.
Fairmount Speaker Series are sponsored by Toby and Melanie Maloney.
2026-2027 Speaker Series Events
The Art of Well-Being: How Social and Arts Prescribing Are Changing Health
October 11, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
KATE BERK, Founder of Ohio Social Prescribing Collaborative & Arts in Health Professional
Learn what social and arts prescribing are and why they matter for individual and community health. Explore the growing evidence base for arts prescribing, including its impact on mental health, loneliness, chronic conditions, and quality of life. Gain an understanding of the national and international landscape, and where Ohio fits within this evolving movement. Hear practical ways to get involved as a community member, artist, educator, healthcare professional, or organizational partner.
Object-Based Learning: How to Explore a World One Object at a Time
November 8, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
SABINE KRETZSCHMAR, Director, Education Art Collection, at the Cleveland Art Museum
Objects can spark the same sense of discovery as explorers venturing into the unknown. They invite us to uncover unexpected, fascinating, and often inspiring stories, though unlocking their meaning takes curiosity and practice. In this talk, Sabine will draw on research from education and material culture studies, along with her own experience, to explore how object-based learning can inspire learning for its own sake. With an open mind, a little imagination, and a willingness to follow curiosity, even the most ordinary object can become a gateway to a transformative journey.
Second Act After Broadway
January 24, 2027,
3:00-4:00 p.m.
ANGELA GAYLOR, Head of Talent at PartsSource
DAVID AYERS, Owner and Managing Director of The Agency
Angela and David, former Broadway actors, will take us through how their Broadway and acting careers built the foundation for their second careers in talent management.
Arts & Minds: Creativity, Community, and Well-Being at Playhouse Square
February 21, 2027,
3:00-4:00 p.m.
JOAN MEGGITT, Playhouse Square’s Senior Manager of Neurological Programs
Learn about Playhouse Square's unique collaboration with Cleveland Clinic with Joan Meggitt, Senior Manager of Neurological Programs at Playhouse Square. Through the Arts & Minds initiative, Meggitt creates arts programming for people with neurological disorders within the Northeast Ohio community, including customized classes and inspiring performances. Playhouse Square’s first program, Dance for Parkinson’s, engages people with Parkinson’s disease and their families in meaningful arts experiences, including weekly classes with vivid live music.
Behind the Scenes of Victoria’s Bakery
March 14, 2027,
3:00-4:00 p.m.
VICTORIA ROBERTSON, Victoria’s Bakery Founder & Executive Chef
In this talk, Victoria will speak on the opening of Victoria’s Bakery and what it’s like to run your own brick-and mortar bakery, lead a team, and establish menus. Take a look at both the good and bad of bakery operations and restaurant management and see why it’s all worth it.
Beyond the Stage: Adventures in Rock & Roll
April 4, 2027,
3:00-4:00 p.m.
DAVID SPERO, Hall of Fame Manager of Musical Artists and Former Radio Personality
David will take us through his eclectic career in the music industry, sharing entertaining stories and insights along the way.
David Spero is currently a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board of Directors and has been inducted into the Ohio Broadcasting Hall of Fame and the Personal Managers Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.
Past Speaker Series Guests
2025-2026 Season Speakers
Lauren Stenroos, Cleveland Ballet
Felicia Zavarella Stadelman, Through the Eyes of the Artist
Douglas Katz, Kiln, Amba & Zhug
Yaron Kohlberg, Piano Cleveland
Roxana Robinson, Special Author Talk
2024-2025 Season Speakers
Rachel Smith, Sears think[box]
Ines Rehner, Sweet Designs Chocolatier
Felicia Zavarella Stadelman, Through the Eyes of the Artist
Holly Witchey, Intermuseum Conservation Association
Jeremy Umansky, Larder
Saundra Bohl, Spanish Dance Company,
Fairmount Center for the Arts
Destinee Siebe, Musicologist
Erin Dolan, Dobama Theatre
2023-2024 Season Speakers
Michael Benz, Formerly Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer
Bill Rudman, Musical Theatre Project
Barbara Tannenbum, Cleveland Museum of Art
Lauren Bozich and Marianne Carroll, White Flower Cake Shoppe
Lauren Heroux, Glass Asylum
Mike Wendt, Greater Cleveland Film Commission