Les Levesque was born to cut hair.

By the time he was 14, the Old West End native was charging friends and family members five bucks for a haircut and he was making a killing.

“I’ve been cutting hair for about 35 years, and I’ve been licensed for about 24,” said Levesque, who said he first learned how to cut hair because he was the youngest brother in his family.

“I come from a big family and we had to start cutting our own hair because it was hard for me and my three brothers to always go to the barbershop,” he said.

This led to the family taking matters into their own hands.

“My dad bought us clippers and I was the youngest, so I had to either learn how to cut my own hair or I had to wait for my brothers to get off work. So I learned to cut my own hair, then when I was 13 I was cutting everybody else’s hair, and by 14 I was charging five dollars,” said Levesque.

Levesque’s young entrepreneurial mindset led to a successful career as a barber. The creativity of haircuts and the culture surrounding the barbershop, especially in the African-American community, are the focal points of Art of the Cut, a celebration of hair styling and promoting men’s health, which takes place on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater.

The event will feature entertainment throughout the Peristyle with snacks available and a cash bar. The event is free, but registration is encouraged. Art of the Cut was last held in 2020 and it returns now for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, with a small twist.

“After a pandemic pause, we’re thrilled to bring it back in 2025 — this time with an exciting addition: hair stylists,” Doreen Cutway, Toledo Museum of Art spokesman, said. “Their creative touch further highlights how barbershops and salons are more than places for grooming; they’re living galleries where self-expression meets craft, and artistry becomes part of daily life.”

The museum added that barbershops are important places in the Black community and that makes them worth celebrating.

“Barbershops and hair salons are more than just places for a fresh cut — they are pillars of the community,” Toni Gordon, senior manager of public programs at the Toledo Museum of Art told The Blade. “These spaces foster connection, creativity, and conversation, offering a safe and welcoming environment where people can share their stories and support one another.”

As an adult, Levesque ran his own barbershop called Tal-Mon Barber Shop, located at 5201 Monroe St. across from Bed Bath & Beyond. After a fire forced the business to close, he is now cutting hair at Hall of Fadez at 3015 N. Holland Sylvania Rd.

According to Levesque, ProMedica approached him and other Black-owned barbershops about doing an event celebrating the unique culture of barbershops.

“ProMedica wanted to get six other shops in the city to get together to bring awareness to men’s health, particularly with African-Americans,” said Levesque.

That effort would turn into the ProMedica Barbershop Initiative, which raised awareness about issues like high blood pressure in a place that African-Americans know and trust, their barbershop.

Today, ProMedica remains a sponsor and key part of Art of the Cut.

“Art of the Cut continues to strengthen community ties by honoring the vital partnership between barbers and public health advocates,” said Robin Charney, a community liaison at ProMedica and integral part of the barbershop program. “Rooted in mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to wellness, this initiative fosters meaningful connections in high-need communities while elevating the artistry of barbering.”

The opportunity to host an event like Art of the Cut turned out to be a perfect crossover for the art museum to get involved with as well.

“The art museum reached out because they heard about the program we were doing with ProMedica and they were looking to find ways to bring people to the museum, so we all sat down and came up with the idea for Art of the Cut,” said Levesque. “Haircutting is definitely an art.”

In addition to Levesque, there will be barbers and hair stylists from Victory Barbershop, Fletcher’s Hair Design, DaShop, CrysStyles Hair Salon, Foster’s Hair Concepts Unlimited, and others. Each barber will give their hair model a fresh haircut on the Peristyle stage, showcasing the creativity that’s possible through the medium of hair.

First Published February 22, 2025, 4:06 p.m.