13 Places Every Cleveland Art Lover Should Know About

Here you'll find a perfect balance of traditional painting and sculpture—often by intriguing up-and-comers or promising students—and unironic tributes to movies, TV and music in everything from fine art media to crafts to elaborately painted table top game figurines. Located at 1814 East 40th, Suite 4B. Call 216-469-4896 or go to rottenmeatgallery.com.

The CMA is one of only a few major metropolitan museums whose regular admission is completely free, letting visitors lose themselves for days in the epic sweep of art history from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance to Pop Art. However, entrance to special exhibitions can put you back $15 if you're not a member, or you can fork over a few bucks to rent an iPad for additional info on the exhibits. Special events, like concerts or MIX cocktail night, can also get pricy. Located at 11150 East Blvd. Call 216-421-7350, or go to clevelandart.org

You've marveled at its architecture, now step inside and be intrigued by MOCA's galleries and performances. Their exhibitions are few, but each is ponderable enough to take up an entire afternoon, if you can put yourself in a generous frame of mind. Admission is $8, with discounts for students and seniors. If you don't take the bus, parking will lighten your wallet, too. Located at 11400 Euclid Ave. Call 216-421-8671 or go to mocacleveland.org

Representing some of the most impressive homegrown talent, the William Busta Gallery recently celebrated a quarter century of dealing art. For much of its existence, it has boasted a well-earned national reputation that's been boosted by the New York Times. Located at 2731 Prospect Ave.. Call 216-298-9071 or go to williambustagallery.com.

For art that will make you question the definition of the term, Northeast Ohio offers no better venue. Scratch your head and expand your mind at their free quarterly exhibits, or the public art projects that can wind all around the city. Donations (or the purchase of a beer or glass of wine or two) at opening receptions are always appreciated, but admission is always free. Located at 2220 Superior Viaduct. Call 216-621-2314 or go to spacesgallery.org.

No other gallery is so fluently in conversation with art's past. Recent exhibits have surveyed the work of an overlooked Abstract Expressionist, recreated photographic techniques of the 19th century, and even been paired with museum-quality catalogs situating displayed works in historic context. Located at 1300 West 78th St. Call 216-281-8626 or go to tregoningandco.com.

One of Tremont's most fun Second Friday destinations, DTG has hosted group shows with off-the-wall themes like cats and Day Glo's screaming colors. Yet affiliated artists' senses of humor don't detract from careful attention to their craft. Located at 856 Jefferson Ave. Search for Doubting Thomas Gallery on Facebook.

Gen Y' s pop paradise is a boutique of locally made T-shirts, prints, and fine art inspired by music, scifi movies, comic books, and more. Located at 17020 Madison Ave, Lakewood. Call 216-767-5610 or go to breakneckgallery.com.

Fine art ceramics, crystal, jewelry, decorative metalwork, and all things shining are to be found here. A rotating collection of local fine artists and crafts people exhibit their wares in this suburban boutique. Located at 19046 Old Detroit Rd, Rocky River. Call 440-331-8406 or go to rivergalleryarts.com.