Today we’d like to introduce you to Darl Schaaff
Hi darl, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After 60 years of living, working and traveling all over the world collecting, I made the decision to gather my extensive collection into a single place. My work in Cleveland allowed me to discover the beauty and opportunity here and inspired me to relocate from Alaska . There are thousands of details that lead to this decision. Two years ago I purchased the oldest existing Andrew Carnegie Library building in Cleveland 1904. Completely renovated the 20,000 sq feet and moved my private collection of art and antiques into the place. The downstairs level is a full theater and I have restored it and currently planning a number of events. Named The Darl Center for the Arts, this passion project has developed into a spark for revitalization of the neighborhood, with new restoration and development happening around the place. This is the historic corner of East 55th and Broadway. These historic buildings have sat vacant for years. This week we install the first of many sculptures in the garden around the building with plans to expand into a sculpture and meditation garden by next summer. I have been the recipient of amazing adventure, met and worked with remarkable people and lived a life full of excitement and wonder.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
All roads have bumps, I choose to see them as opportunities to learn. The secret to my life was to try everything and figure out what works, what I love and what I am willing to accept. The purchase of the Carnegie building was an enormous challenge due to 10 years of neglect. Extensive water damage, rotted floors, trash and failed systems all had to be addressed before I could start creating my museum. Finding the right people and having the right attitude made it all work smoothly into the amazing place it is today. I have had tremendous tragedy, lost almost everyone I loved and been faced with life changing loss. It does not even hold a candle to the adventure, excitement and love I have experienced along that same path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
From the age of 4 I trained classical ballet, that developed into various other dance forms and eventually musical theater. From High School, college and a few years of touring Broadway shows my performance career continued to expend. Upon moving to Alaska I used my extensive background to start a professional dance company, a successful theater production company and eventually settled in Corporate event planning where all of skills were tested and incorporated. Later in life I began to work in visual and literary arts. Upon moving to Cleveland my plans include expanding my writing and spoken word skills, exploring more visual arts and a bold jump into new theater.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
When I wake up everyday, I am excited for the day, filled with anticipation. The current project of creating an Arts Center filled with wonder and challenge, inspires me. There are days where I can’t get enough and nights when I fall into bed exhausted. There are people in my life that inspire and a few that take my time, all play a role in this thing called life. Where is the measurement called success? For me that is an impossible concept, if you measure by money, there will never be enough, by power, that is a gift from others, we own no real part of that. I have success because I don’t need it, I have wealth because it is not responsible for anything important and I have power because others support me in this journey. I have partied with the richest people and shared tea with a family in India living on the street. I ran away from home at 16, helped the great love of my life die with dignity and been homeless. Success is completely irrelevant to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedarl.org
