Lakewood HQ Renovation — Local Artist Profile on Beth Keenan

2026-10-14

Supporting local businesses and community members is a tenet of mutual banking, and the recently renovated headquarters for First Federal Lakewood and First Mutual Holding Co. is a beautiful example of these collaborative relationships. Enlisting local artists to help decorate the upgraded space with custom artwork is an exciting way we’re bringing these relationships to life.

One of these fantastic artists is Beth Keenan, a multifaceted artist who also owns a gift shop and art gallery called Funktiniland right down the street from our headquarters and branch on Detroit Ave. After beginning her career studying interior design, Beth has worked in ceramics, glass, clay and has focused on wood burnings for the past ten years. She opened Funktiniland in Ohio City with her mother after spending 17 years traveling the country together selling their work at art shows. They moved the business to Lakewood in February 2025. “Lakewood has been home for me for 25 years,” Beth shared.

Beth’s goal in opening Funktiniland was to support other artists because, after traveling and meeting many artists, she knew there was a way to help them sell their work. “Cleveland is such a creative town,” said Beth. “We have creativity everywhere, and Lakewood is a huge hub for supporting artists and giving others joy. The small business community is so strong here. It’s not a competition, it’s a collaboration.”

Working on Lakewood-focused artwork is her “most heart-centered work,” and she advocates for Lakewood as a beautiful, special space and community where you find something different on every street. “I try to capture things around town, whether that be the people or the flowers or a specific scene or a landscape design, and use that as inspiration,” said Beth.

For the Lakewood headquarters, Beth created two impressive wood burnings that measure six feet by five feet each. They represent the companies for which we have named the distinct buildings that make up our headquarters location, the Bailey building and the Marshall building. The Bailey building is named to reflect a legacy of local enterprise and neighborhood vitality — values that continue to shape our commitment to serving and strengthening the Lakewood community. The Marshall Building, a longstanding name, represents a legacy of service, ingenuity and community presence.

The first is the exterior of the Bailey Building when it was a department store that opened in the 1930’s. The second is a street view of the Marshall Building that includes additional surrounding storefronts. “I love the history, learning more about Lakewood and the reasons why things are named what they are,” Beth shared.  

Together, these names recognize the local businesses and entrepreneurs who helped shape Lakewood into the thriving community it is today, grounding our workplace in the spirit of hometown commerce and community connection.

Due to the size and inspiration behind the works of art, Beth hopes people feel transported when they experience the pieces. “I hope they feel like they’re at home and find the historical aspects interesting,” said Beth. “I hope they enjoy feeling the grooves and different features of the buildings.”

“There’s a giving aspect to Lakewood where everybody works together,” said Beth. “It’s an honor to have a business in a city where businesses support each other.”