Sunday, February 9, 2025

Art of the Cut returns to combine health education and flair

For the second year in a row, barbers will showcase their skills at the Art of the Cut, from 3-6pm on Sunday, March 1, in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. Hosted by TMA affinity group Circle, the live showcase promotes Black barber culture in Toledo, highlighting style as a vehicle for awareness.

This year, the show’s theme is “Past, Present, and Future,” featuring inspired trims from different eras. Last year, the event featured barbers from six local shops; while, this year, there are eight: Da Shop, Fletcher’s Hair Design, Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited, Groomed (two locations), Steve’s Sport-N-Cuts, Tal-Mon, and Victory.

Attendees will see live barber cuts demonstrated on the Peristyle stage, and enjoy refreshments— along with entertainment by DJ Mpress, DJ Big Lou the Mayor, and Water, a barbershop quartet.

This year’s Art of the Cut showcases (L-R) Marcus Temple of Da Shop; Andre Johnson of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited and Circle Board member; Les Levesque of Tal-Mon; James Foster of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited; Stacey Fletcher of Fletcher’s Hair Design; Corvette Derden of Fletcher’s Hair Design; and Shaun Temple of Da Shop. Photo courtesy of the Toledo Museum of Art. Not pictured: Groomed, Steve’s Sport-N-Cuts, and Victory.
This year’s Art of the Cut showcases (L-R) Marcus Temple of Da Shop; Andre Johnson of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited and Circle Board member; Les Levesque of Tal-Mon; James Foster of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited; Stacey Fletcher of Fletcher’s Hair Design; Corvette Derden of Fletcher’s Hair Design; and Shaun Temple of Da Shop. Photo courtesy of the Toledo Museum of Art. Not pictured: Groomed, Steve’s Sport-N-Cuts, and Victory.

About the buzz

The Art of the Cut, a unique combination of education and community, follows ProMedica’s Barbershop Health and Wellness Program, which provides local barbershops with men’s health information, including where to go for services such as prostate screening, along with resources to be distributed to clients. The Art of the Cut promotes accessibility through men’s health initiatives within the Toledo area. This celebration intends to educate community members while simultaneously providing feedback to the medical system about critical needs.

ProMedica Community Liaison Robin Charney, who steers the program, explained, “The barbers provide the space, and we provide health screenings, education, and work on removing barriers that contribute to health disparities.”

In addition to preventative services, other examples of program offerings include hands-only CPR training, financial counseling, and weight loss strategies. “The 36 barbers we have been working with are incredible advocates for their community,” said Charney; “We are not healthcare professionals coming in and telling a neighborhood what it needs to be healthy— people already know what they need for good health… We are coming into the barbershops to learn about the community, cultural differences, and the needs of people.”

Last year, the event sold out in less than a week, according to Charney. Although this year’s Art of the Cut is free and open to everyone, registration is recommended in advance. “It’s a celebration of Toledo’s barbershop art culture and an opportunity for folks to hang out with each other while watching the barbers practice their art on stage,” she said. “If it’s good for the community, it’s good for health.”

Sponsored by Circle, the Toledo Museum of Art’s affinity organization, along with ProMedica and HCR Manorcare. Register at toledomuseum.org/cut or on Facebook.

$5 suggested donation.
3-6pm | Sunday, March 1
Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle,
2445 Monroe St. | toledomuseum.org/cut

For the second year in a row, barbers will showcase their skills at the Art of the Cut, from 3-6pm on Sunday, March 1, in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. Hosted by TMA affinity group Circle, the live showcase promotes Black barber culture in Toledo, highlighting style as a vehicle for awareness.

This year, the show’s theme is “Past, Present, and Future,” featuring inspired trims from different eras. Last year, the event featured barbers from six local shops; while, this year, there are eight: Da Shop, Fletcher’s Hair Design, Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited, Groomed (two locations), Steve’s Sport-N-Cuts, Tal-Mon, and Victory.

Attendees will see live barber cuts demonstrated on the Peristyle stage, and enjoy refreshments— along with entertainment by DJ Mpress, DJ Big Lou the Mayor, and Water, a barbershop quartet.

This year’s Art of the Cut showcases (L-R) Marcus Temple of Da Shop; Andre Johnson of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited and Circle Board member; Les Levesque of Tal-Mon; James Foster of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited; Stacey Fletcher of Fletcher’s Hair Design; Corvette Derden of Fletcher’s Hair Design; and Shaun Temple of Da Shop. Photo courtesy of the Toledo Museum of Art. Not pictured: Groomed, Steve’s Sport-N-Cuts, and Victory.
This year’s Art of the Cut showcases (L-R) Marcus Temple of Da Shop; Andre Johnson of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited and Circle Board member; Les Levesque of Tal-Mon; James Foster of Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited; Stacey Fletcher of Fletcher’s Hair Design; Corvette Derden of Fletcher’s Hair Design; and Shaun Temple of Da Shop. Photo courtesy of the Toledo Museum of Art. Not pictured: Groomed, Steve’s Sport-N-Cuts, and Victory.

About the buzz

The Art of the Cut, a unique combination of education and community, follows ProMedica’s Barbershop Health and Wellness Program, which provides local barbershops with men’s health information, including where to go for services such as prostate screening, along with resources to be distributed to clients. The Art of the Cut promotes accessibility through men’s health initiatives within the Toledo area. This celebration intends to educate community members while simultaneously providing feedback to the medical system about critical needs.

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ProMedica Community Liaison Robin Charney, who steers the program, explained, “The barbers provide the space, and we provide health screenings, education, and work on removing barriers that contribute to health disparities.”

In addition to preventative services, other examples of program offerings include hands-only CPR training, financial counseling, and weight loss strategies. “The 36 barbers we have been working with are incredible advocates for their community,” said Charney; “We are not healthcare professionals coming in and telling a neighborhood what it needs to be healthy— people already know what they need for good health… We are coming into the barbershops to learn about the community, cultural differences, and the needs of people.”

Last year, the event sold out in less than a week, according to Charney. Although this year’s Art of the Cut is free and open to everyone, registration is recommended in advance. “It’s a celebration of Toledo’s barbershop art culture and an opportunity for folks to hang out with each other while watching the barbers practice their art on stage,” she said. “If it’s good for the community, it’s good for health.”

Sponsored by Circle, the Toledo Museum of Art’s affinity organization, along with ProMedica and HCR Manorcare. Register at toledomuseum.org/cut or on Facebook.

$5 suggested donation.
3-6pm | Sunday, March 1
Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle,
2445 Monroe St. | toledomuseum.org/cut

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