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There’s plenty of sports-related merch carried in stores and team shops throughout northeast Ohio. But if you’re not a sports fan, they also have plenty of distinctive items featuring iconic Cleveland locations and symbols. Started by brothers George III, Greg and their father, George Jr., GV Art + Design is a creative boutique specializing in original artwork, design, and apparel. For them, art is a God-given talent ,but sports and art have always been their passion.
See why our stores have become a destination spot
"We were kind of counting on them to clinch maybe Tuesday, Wednesday, and had some designs in the works," said Greg, both he and his brother were out of town that weekend thinking they had time. Vlosich is an Etch-A-Sketch artist and some regard him as the world's best. He started his art when he was 10 years old, fiddling on his mother’s old Etch-A-Sketch in the back seat of the family car during a road trip to Washington, D.C. He drew the U.S. Their GV Apparel is featured in professional team shops and carried in dozens of stores throughout Northeast Ohio and the Midwest. Over the last five years, GV has continued to grow and open additional brick-and-mortar stores—including locations in Willoughby, Kent, and newly-opened Avon!
GV Art + Design teams up with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals for T-shirt to support healthcare ‘heroes’ - Cleveland 19 News
GV Art + Design teams up with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals for T-shirt to support healthcare ‘heroes’.
Posted: Wed, 08 Apr 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Greg’s passion and determination have been pivotal in starting and growing the GV brand into what it is today. It all started when GV teamed up with the Cavs and Quicken Loans to create a time-lapsed video of George etching a portrait of LeBron James on the Etch A Sketch. They created a whole campaign around it called, "One Town. One Team. One Dream". It was the first time GV designed and produced a t-shirt from start to finish, and found they really enjoyed the process.
Willoughby, Ohio
After one year, he decided to follow his dream of playing Division I college basketball and transferred to Cleveland State University. He made the team as a walk-on, playing four years for the Vikings. He graduated from CSU with honors, earning a Bachelor's Degree in design.
Their creativity and background in art, design, and advertising gives them versatility and the ability to create campaigns that are fresh, unique, and on-trend. After selling out their products online and in stores throughout Northeast Ohio, in 2013 GV decided it was the perfect time to open up a store of their own. They now have 4 GV locations, including their newest store in Avon, Ohio. GV Art + Design's creative boutique is not just a place to shop for the hottest new apparel, but a one of a kind studio and art gallery as well.
The business will also feature artwork, including some of the Etch-A-Sketch pieces. "It showcases what we do creatively and I think it does. I think people will really enjoy it," says co-owner George Vlosich. The new store on Detroit Road at Larchmont, in Lakewood, is right across the street from the original location. Located in Lakewood, Ohio, just houses from where they grew up, their first location was a huge success. They have since outgrown the original 2 storefronts, and in 2017 moved into a much bigger retail location in Lakewood. "We knew people had, you know, a strong affiliation with Cleveland and wanted to represent it. They just didn't have a great way to do it yet. And it just took off," said Greg.
GV’s first athlete collaboration was with the Cleveland Indians’ Goon Squad back in 2013. They took what was a locker room slogan between the players and created an identity around them that took the city by storm—and propelled the team to a memorable playoff run. This was the first of many successful player campaigns which has made GV so sought after by both players and agents. "I think what makes us different is just the creativity behind each design. So we're artists first and foremost," explained Greg Vlosich. "It's, it's cool now, any event that's going on, people know to, you know, see what we have or, or come, come shop at our store." It's one of the hottest design and apparel makers in town and on Friday night, we got a sneak peek at the brand new store for GV Art + Design.
Cleveland Baseball Collection
It showcases their world famous artwork, designs, and includes a bit of Cleveland nostalgia and memorabilia. The GV studio has become more than just a store, it has become a destination. Known as a consistent visiting spot for news stations and Cleveland's top Athletes and Celebrities. Their work has always stood out, making headlines in both local and national media. From SportsCenter, TNT, MLB Network and Jimmy Kimmel, to the front pages of Yahoo, ESPN, NBA.com, and Sports Illustrated, their artwork has captured the world's attention.
Creative Boutique
Over the last ten years, GV has continued to set itself apart in an overly saturated market through their ideas and designs. Each shirt is a statement that creates a connection between the fans and the city. They build relationships with pro athletes by focusing on enhancing each players brand, showcasing their personality, and what makes them unique and special. What originally started in their parent’s basement has grown into four stores and a very loyal following, with lines wrapping around their building to get their latest drops. Their supporters have proudly worn their shirts in the locker room, on field, and all around the world with orders being shipped to over 50 different countries.
Whether you are on the East or West side, there is no excuse not to head over to a GV store today. After years of creating designs for clients, GV opened its first retail shop in Lakewood in 2014, soon moving to a bigger space and opening an east side outpost in Willoughby in 2015. However, for the Vlosich family, the passion for Cleveland sports began long before the business. The company that started in the garage of their Lakewood home has now become synonymous with Cleveland sports.
Launched during the NBA Finals, this video quickly jumped to 1 million views on YouTube in just a few days. It was picked by 20/20 and YouTube as one of the top viral videos of 2007 and the start of something great. GV Art + Design's creative boutique is not just a place to shop for the hottest new apparel, but a one-of-a-kind studio and art gallery as well.
He always saw their potential, and developed their God-given gifts and their interest in art, illustration, and design. Their passion in sports and art is what makes GV Art so unique today.George III is an artist and designer and also known as the world’s best Etch A Sketch artist. George received a scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. Before founding GV Art + Design, with his dad and brother Greg, George spent 10 years at one of the largest ad agencies in Cleveland, winning numerous awards as an Art Director.
Word on the street is Target's looking to make a branding deal with these two Cleveland talents. The creative boutique features some of GV’s most popular work- all available on t-shirts, sweatshirts and tanks (think of the shirts and tanks as the canvas). And now, just like always, the GV Art team has their bases covered and are ready to help cheer on the Guardians this playoff season with the rest of the city. Able to capitalizing on a shared experience, the Volsich family has now open four locations in Lakewood, Willoughby, Kent, and Avon. CLEVELAND — When it comes to sports here in Northeast Ohio, our fans go big or go home. The store is the perfect venue for the entire family's creative outlets.
What started as a way to showcase their passion for their city has become a brand recognized all throughout the nation. Taught by their father George Jr., who worked in advertising as an Art Director. George Jr. recognized his son's talents when the brothers were little.
