Code,801003
Subject,"Andrew Chakalis, Greek Cultural Garden"
Date,2/20/2009
Interviewer,Erin Bell
Abstract,"Andrew Chakalis, a native Clevelander, is an artist, President of the Hellenic Preservation Society of Northeast Ohio, and the Greek Garden delegate in the Cultural Gardens Federation. In this 2009 interview, Chakalis describes how he and others went about renovating the Greek Cultural Garden in the mid-1990s, describing the cultural and historical significance of many of the garden's features and stressing his desire to stay true to the garden's original 1940s design.  He also talks about the Gardens more broadly, discussing the work of the Federation in attracting new groups to add gardens, making improvements to existing gardens, and ensuring that the original philosophy and mission of the Cultural Gardens is adhered to.  The nature of the Greek community in post-War Cleveland and its gradual migration out into the surrounding suburbs is touched on, as well."
Special Notes,"presdient of hellenic preservation society, garden delegate in cultural garden federation"
minutes:,
0,Intro; role with Garden
1,How Chakalis became involved with Garden
2,[1:50] Hellenic Preservation Society gives support for renovation of Garden in mid-90s
3,"[2:50] ""Depressing"" state of Garden before renovation; approach project as if Garden is ""a work of fine art"""
4,"[3:50] ""Someone in the community of gardens had to step forward"" to lead in the renovation and promote other Gardens to do likewise"
5,"[4:55] ""Spearhead others to come on board,"" this plan worked"
6,[5:50] Description of garden prior to renovation
7,"""It was in dire straits""; [7:45] Anectode about cleanup,  ""stopped counting at 800 bags of debris"""
8,
9,"""Young blood"" revitalizes garden; role of church community in Garden"
10,Migration of Greek community out of the city and into suburbs; spread of churches demonstrate this pattern
11,
12,Where Greeks settled when first coming to Cleveland; Gateway District
13,"""Sense of Greek influence"" in areas where Greeks lived, this ""withers away"" by the 60s"
14,[13:50] How Chakalis' background as an artist shaped his approach to the Garden
15,Desire to preserve features of Garden and stay true to original design
16,Use professionals to assess how to renovate the Garden
17,"Keep sandstone as opposed to putting in concrete to respect original design, even if it costs more"
18,Need to convince community that project is worth the money being spent
19,Goal is to preserve garden as originally designed
20,"Some landscaping changes, however, had to be made"
21,4 quadrants make up Garden
22,"description of ""sunken garden""; central court forms shape of Greek cross"
23,"Relation of Greek cross to the Garden's water feature, water is substance of life"
24,"Description of doric columns (based on Acropolis), Parthenon wall"
25,Parthenon wall has names of Greek cultural and historical figures inscribed
26,Significance of wall to Greek culture
27,two urns; further ties to Greek culture in Garden
28,
29,a historic sense went  into original design of key elements of Garden; Garden's location next to Italian Garden
30,"Growing up Greek, introduced to Greek culture and traditions"
31,"[30:50] Growing up in 50s, there was also an impetus to move away from Greek culture and become fully American, though this did not come to dominate"
32,[31:50] Experience studying abroad helps him realize the importance of cultural diversity
33,"""I still regard Garden as incomplete"", hopes for future additions"
34,Story about sculptor in Cleveland who proposed a relief sculpture for the Parthenon wall
35,Search for sketch of plans that was sent to Cleveland by Greek scultor; research into past plans and hopes to use them today
36,
37,
38,
39,Connection between Greece and Cleveland Cultural Garden; hopes to rekindle this
40,"[39:50] Searching for an outcome ""respectful of the past and significant"" in the present; concern for wider Garden community, other Gardens"
41,"""an obligation"" to assisst and encourage other groups; ""the Cultural Gardens to not continue"" to be representative of new immigrant groups coming to Cleveland"
42,Encouraging development of Indian Garden
43,"Popular culture from America should not be represented, but rather unique history and culture of the various communities"
44,
,
45,Federation must be clear to inform new groups of past history of Garden
46,"""should be a philosophical connection to history, culture.."" Foundation should provide ""clear and decisive"" guidance; example of Vietnam War Memorial"
47,
48,Staying true to history of the garden; Ghandi is OK; Federation can debate what falls within the parameters
49,
50,"""A dynamic reality of who we are as a city"" is reflected in Gardens; encourages communities not present to ""step up to the plate"" and become a part"
51,"Problems with past proposals, some are not feasible"
52,"""extremely valuable as an educational"" outlet; bike paths and other infrastructural changes create a more park-like setting"
53,"Gardens are ""part of the neighborhood,"" not separate from it"
54,
55,Why some groups have a garden while others don't
56,"Scale of community may be a factor to inclusion in Gardens, though some say every group should have a Garden; Hispanic community"
57,Should Federation be more proactive in atracting new groups? How to balance this with improvement of existing gardens
58,"Complications involved with idea of an ""Hispanic"" Garden, similar issue with African-American community"
59,Communities themselves should decide how best to build and define their gardens
60,
61,
62,Ideas presented to Federation need to be reasoned and purposeful and connected to the Garden's history
63,[62:50] Rejection of sculpture garden on MLK
64,
65,"[64:50] Differences of opinion, personality among Federation members, ""there must be absolute clarity"" on the part of the organization to prevent conflict"
66,
67,Greek community in deciding whether to renovate is skeptical of Federation at first
68,"""When we came into it the organization needed fresh blood,"" new goals, purpose, and organization. ""We look at"" the Gardens ""as a neighborhood"""
69,Presenting plans for renovation to a number of panels
70,"[69:50] Need for more support from University Circle, city leadership; the goal is ""progress every year"" for all gardens"
71,"Success for gardens is based on many groups, not just the Federation"
72,Gates Mills Horticultural School: an educational component
73,[72:50] Fundraising and work of volunteers; community is starting to rediscover and reuse the Gardens
74,Closing remarks; benefit of education about the Gardens to the younger generations
75,
76,People from outside Cleveland who see the Gardens are very impressed with them
77,End