Cleveland Institute of Art student artwork celebrates storied past of Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2026

CLEVELAND—Margaret Berrodin, a Drawing and Painting junior at the Cleveland Institute of Art, has partnered with the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a collection of six watercolor drawings that depict the Nature Center's beautiful wildlife and celebrate its proud history.

Each drawing represents a different decade, highlighting the Nature Canter's accomplishments and showcasing its important role in the community. From honoring the Freeway Fighters of the 1960s to building All Peoples' Trail in the 1980s to recognizing the One Tree Project of the 2000s, Berrodin's drawings tell the story of the Nature Center with artistic impact.

"Nature is foundational to my practice, and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes embodies values of conservation and care that closely align with my own," Berrodin says. "I was struck by the Nature Center's history and the citizens' early advocacy that kept it alive. Learning about the community members who fought to preserve this space while present in its beauty was deeply moving. I hope these works invite viewers into a moment of serenity, where they can connect with the encompassing beauty of their surroundings."

Phases of History: Commemorating 60 years of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes will be installed Friday, May 22 in frames throughout the grounds at the Nature Center (2600 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights). Phases of History will remain on view for the rest of the year.

"The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is grateful to have worked with Margaret Berrodin, a young and talented artist from the Cleveland Institute of Art, to create the beautiful outdoor installations on our grounds," says Aaliyah Muhammad, Community Engagement Manager at the Nature Center. "Margaret was able to capture the spirit of the Nature Center throughout our 60 years and we invite all to visit to see her excellent work."

To learn more about Margaret Berrodin and her art, follow @margaretberrodin on Instagram or visit her website.

Phases of History: Commemorating 60 years of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes was created through the Creativity Works program, which is made possible by the generous support of the Fenn Educational Fund and the G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation. Creativity Works is a self-initiated internship program with the goal of supporting a student's professional development. Participating students create proposals that align with their long-term professional goals.

Contact

Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404

Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 550 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.