Alfred “Cleve” Cleveland

Interdisciplinary Artist | Theater Director | Wood Artist

Member since 2025

Alfred Cleveland is a multidisciplinary artist working in visual art, theater, film, writing, and mixed media. His work focuses on wrongful convictions. Presently, he is the stage director for the hit play, "The Lynched Among Us: Tales of the Wrongfully Convicted". He also creates art with wood because of the living nature and energy it carries. His work is something families can keep for generations to come.

Artist statement

Through painting, drawing, writing, music, and theater, I use storytelling to honor resilience, remember those who have endured, and share stories that deserve to be carried forward. My creative practice has been shaped by loss, wrongful conviction, incarceration, and the long journey toward freedom. Whether through detailed stippled images and murals, stage productions, or literary works, I create from a place of patience, reflection, and a desire to preserve history and human experiences. I am also drawn to live-edge wood because it feels alive, breathing and carries its own energy into the work. Through art and advocacy, I hope to honor local heroes, bring awareness to injustice, and create something meaningful for future generations.