Silhouette artist Clay Rice returns to Sunbeam

Clay Rice creates a paper portrait in just a few minutes.

Silhouette artistry has been in Clay Rice's family for more than 80 years. After learning the technique from his South Carolinian grandfather, Carew, Rice traveled throughout the world creating over 900,000 of these classic black paper portraits.

On Friday, May 18, he returns to Sunbeam-a Shop for Children, at 3469 Fairmount Blvd., after a three-year hiatus.

In a matter of minutes, Rice produces an heirloom-quality portrait that a family will treasure forever. People of all ages are fascinated by Rice's skill and speed.

Sunbeam is Cleveland's oldest children's store and a mainstay of the Fairmount Taylor retail district for more than 16 years.

Proceeds from the Clay Rice event help support Sunbeam's Vocational Guidance Services, a program to help people with physical or mental disabilities, economic disadvantages, or a history of incarceration find employment.