Creative Voices, Literally

Entertainer Ben Vereen on the State Theater stage motivated the audience at the Creative Voices Arts Education Day Luncheon today. He had good things to say about Cleveland's emphasis on arts, plus encouragement to keep at it. Violin students from El Sistema at Rainey played Beethoven. Students from the Citizens Leadership Academy played the African drums and told the audience what makes them learn well. And a young Citizens Leadership Academy student named Malcolm demonstrated public speaking skills that will no doubt put him on the debate squad at whatever high school he attends. The luncheon was part of the Creative Voices Summit, which also presented a panel discussion on "The Creative Mind," at the Westfield Theater at the Idea Center at Playhouse Square. The panelists, including local architect Paul Westlake, Jr., riffed on what makes people creative, and what keeps them that way.