Lola Hall Dedication ceremony, December 2017
We are deeply saddened by the death of Lola Rothmann on September 17. Lola was a fierce supporter of Maelstrom Collaborative Arts, as she was for so many arts organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Her innumerable contributions to the arts as a leader, an advocate, an artist presenter, a volunteer, a substantial pianist and a supporter made an indelible impact on this region. She was a conservatory trained pianist and lover of classical music, theater and dance, an avid reader, a crossword puzzle expert, and a mentor and sympathetic ear to all. She was also MCA founder Jeremy Paul’s grandmother and instilled in him at an early age the essential nature of the arts that must be shared with all. She lived an incredible life and while we mourn her loss, we are grateful for the example she set and the love and strength she gave to her family, her friends, and her community.
In 2017, she was thrilled that our performing arts space was dedicated to her. The Lola Rothmann Performing Arts Hall has become a sanctuary for art, a place where artists and audiences come together to share the power of live performance. It has been filled with speech, song, music, and dance, all that she held dear. The joy and love of creation ripple out from its walls, affecting many more beyond just the Maelstrom community, and reflect her in every way.
In the last six months, Lola Hall has been quieter than usual due to the ongoing pandemic, but that has begun to change as Maelstrom itself changes and adapts to the new world. We are finding new ways to program and create work in Lola Hall, and are in the process of adding video and live streaming upgrades to the space that so we can continue to uplift local arts in the uncertain future.
