Blue Arrow Records Serves Up a Wild Marred Album Cover Contest with Sixty Bowls Gallery

Collinwood gets creative as Blue Arrow Records throws a wicked Marred Album Cover Contest, culminating in a one-of-a-kind exhibit at Sixty Bowls Gallery.

If you thought Collinwood was just about killer coffee and late-night bites, think again—Blue Arrow Records is cueing up the ultimate Marred Album Cover Contest, all leading to a jaw-dropping exhibit at Sixty Bowls Gallery. The primary keyword here—Marred Album Cover Contest—is shaking up Cleveland's art and vinyl scenes with both local flavor and tongue-in-cheek creative wreckage.

The Backstory: Smudges and Scribbles Get Their Due

Cleveland native and design guru Gregory Wooten has hunted thousands of defaced album covers from bins across the globe (yes, really: 5,000 strong and counting). His obsession launched "Marred for Life!"—a cult book that turned doodles, Sharpie mustaches, and outrageous alterations into high art. The roots? Run deep in Northeast Ohio’s vintage vinyl haunts, where Wooten first struck creative gold at Blue Arrow Records.

The Exhibit: 250+ Defaced Masterpieces

Opening later this month at Sixty Bowls Gallery (just a short jaunt from the classic Collinwood food and drink strip), the exhibit unleashes more than 250 gloriously marred jackets. Expect cover art vandalized in the best way involving legends like:

Elvis Presley
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
Frank Zappa
LL Cool J
Nina Simone
David Bowie

If your tastes run nostalgic and slightly subversive (who doesn’t dig a bearded Coltrane?), this show’s your jam.

The Contest: Get Creative With Your Own Album Cover

Ahead of the big reveal, Blue Arrow Records is inviting Clevelanders to deface their own album covers. Swing by the shop (Fridays through Sundays, noon–4 p.m.) to grab a donor cover or bring your own work of art. Entries are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.

Prizes That Hit All the Right Notes:

$50 Blue Arrow Records gift certificate to the top-voted artist
$50 donation to Waterloo Alley Cat Project in the winner’s name
All entries on display at the Sixty Bowls opening, so your creative sins will be seen

Opening Night: Art, Vinyl, and Community Vibes

Circle Saturday, Aug. 22, 5–8 p.m. on your food-and-fun calendar—Sixty Bowls Gallery is where the contest caps off. Expect:

Wooten’s all-time favorite marred covers
The wildest entries from local contestants
Voting on your choice for Cleveland’s de facto Cover Vandal Laureate
Book signing and party atmosphere, all steps away from Collinwood’s best bars and bites

Why It Matters: Art & Vinyl Collide in Collinwood

This isn’t just about record collecting—this is about Cleveland’s legendary scrappiness and creativity. The Marred Album Cover Contest is wildly interactive, giving anyone (with a steady hand or a wobbly Sharpie) a shot at gallery glory. Plus, every visit to Blue Arrow or Sixty Bowls keeps Cleveland’s unique arts and food culture spinning forward.

How To Get In On the Fun

Visit Blue Arrow Records (16001 Waterloo Rd) Fridays–Sundays, noon–4 p.m. for album covers or contest drop-off
Submit your altered album cover by August 21, 4 p.m.
Attend the opening and book signing at Sixty Bowls Gallery on August 22, 5–8 p.m.
Chat up Gregory Wooten and see if your defacement skills measure up

Get ready to show your irreverent side—this is a Cleveland pop-up that’s as rich in humor as it is in history. Don’t miss your shot to vote, gawk, and maybe even take home a trophy for best musical mischief-maker.