I was thrilled the other day as I passed through one of downtown Cleveland's "malls" to see one of the art galleries in there touting an exhibit called "Celebrate Manufacturing." I finally had a chance this afternoon to stop in and pursue the artwork that is in the first annual exhibit. Commercial art, videos, and promotional materials created by advertising agencies fill the walls, touting products and services from well-known fluid power companies like Parker Hannifin and Swagelok. Other local Northeast Ohio firms were represented, too, including MTD Products, Bendix, Timken, The Lincoln Electric Co., and the Ohio Manufacturers Association.

As the gallery states, "displaying this extraordinary creative work is a unique and very effective way to show manufacturing is vibrant, strong, and thriving in Ohio." This statement is so profound, because as we know, manufacturing, and fluid power, is critical in so many aspects of the real world. Without it, we wouldn't be able to have new construction or amazing amusement park rides, or so many things.

This exhibit is truly valuable and I hope to see more like it in the future. If you're in the Cleveland area, do check it out at the Artist Review Today Gallery, in the Galleria on East 9th Street. It runs through May 31.