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The chefs, each of whom brought an entrée for a pre-shoot potluck, represented Cleveland Independents, a group of some 90 locally owned independent restaurants. CIA students will be creating a series of advertisements for Cleveland Magazine, Edible Cleveland, and Cleveland Scene promoting independent eateries and featuring these and other chefs from the restaurant consortium.

“The students are gaining insights they couldn’t learn from books,” McEntee said of the project. The first ad in the series was designed by O’Neal and photographed by Keith Berr, a Cleveland-based professional photographer who boasts Fortune 500 clients internationally. (Berr is shown above in the foreground at right, with his back to the camera.)

After a memorable lunch, photography students provided technical assistance, helping Berr set up the shot. Students from both classes observed how O’Neal, as art director, worked with the photographer and the clients to stage the best possible portrait.

“They’re learning so much in one day watching these professionals interact,” said McEntee, a 1984 CIA graduate and chair of the department of Film, Video + Photographic Arts. Now the Advanced Studio and Portrait Photography students will create the additional four ads in the series under the supervision of O’Neal, McEntee, and Berr. In line with CIA’s Cores + Connections method, this collaborative project offers students authentic professional experience and, once completed, some nice additions to their portfolios.

Front row: Michael Mariola, City Square Steakhouse (floor); Matt Mathlage, Light Bistro (couch); Ben Bebenroth, Spice Kitchen (floor). Middle row: Rocky Ricka, Olivor Twist; John Kohlar, Thyme²; Matt Fish, Melt Bar & Grilled; Mark Jacob, Willoughby Brewing Company. Back row (standing): Scott Kim, Accent and SASA; Douglas Katz, Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art; Cesare Avallone, Crush Wine Bar; Aaron Ruggles, Bistro on Main; Matthew Anderson, Umami Asian Kitchen; and Chris Lieb, Tremont Tap House.