Summit Artspace’s Arts Alive! celebration will turn the spotlight on the outstanding work of artists, the Inside|Out program of the Akron Art Museum and individuals who have contributed to a vibrant arts community in Greater Akron.
The honorees will be recognized at a celebration throughout the Summit Artspace building on Wednesday, June 15, starting at 5:30 p.m. Arts Alive! features live music, dance and theater, the presentation of the Arts Alive! awards and the popular Out-of-the-Box Auction that benefits Summit Artspace programs.
The event is underwritten by Ann Amer Brennan; Akron Community Foundation; Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC; and TRIAD Communications and its Design4Good program.
This year’s honorees are:
OUTSTANDING VISUAL ARTIST
Charles Beneke
Professor Charles Beneke is the printmaking area coordinator for Myers School of Art. He teaches all levels of printmaking. He serves as the design liaison for The Mid America Print Council Journal. He is a Member-at-Large on the board of the Southern Graphics Council International for which he also serves as the Awards Committee chair. He is on the advisory board of The Morgan Conservatory in Cleveland, Ohio. His work in a broad range of print media, painting, new media, and installation addresses climate change, urging the viewer to confront his/her role in the fragile state of the world environment. His art is in collections around the world and was the focus of an exhibit, Specter, at the Akron Art Museum, August 1, 2015 – January 3, 2016.
OUTSTANDING ARTIST IN MUSIC
Theron Brown
The 30-year-old pianist is recognized as a rising star in jazz, fusion and other modern musical genres. He has traveled the country and world performing with many big name musical artists. Brown has established himself as a mentor and educator in the Northeast Ohio region, working with students at the University of Akron and regional students in public and private schools. He won a prestigious Knight Foundation Arts Challenge grant to establish the Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival and also appeared as Herbie Hancock in actor Don Cheadle’s 2015 film Miles Ahead about jazz legend Miles Davis. Theron has played with musicians such as Dan Wilson, Sean Jones, The Huntertones (formerly DW6),The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Sam Blakeslee Large Ensemble, Josh Rzepka, University of Akron Ensembles, Nathan Davis and Bobby Selvaggio. Theron’s worldwide performances, particularly those with trios, quartets and big bands, brought him recognition here at home and from numerous places all around the world including Japan, New York City, Toronto, Montreal and India.
OUTSTANDING ARTIST IN DANCE
Kelli Sanford
Kelli has been dancing for 31 years, beginning at the age of 5 in her hometown in rural northeast Ohio. She received a Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University following a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of Akron. Kelli has now devoted the last five years to bringing innovative modern dance training and performance to northeast Ohio, including establishing the only professional modern dance center in Summit County. Every season since 2011, RED Company performs a dance concert series premiering imaginative danceworks and music. RED begins its sixth season in 2016. RED Company’s professional and apprentice dancers perform dance works, such as Monarch, at local senior citizen and assisted living residential facilities. Every dancework performed is Kelli’s original choreography and costume design. Kelli’s valued relationships in the community afford opportunities for collaboration and in-kind support that are essential to the sustainability of a nonprofit.
OUTSTANDING ARTIST IN THEATER
Kyle Jozsa
Drawing on a work ethic derived from his path to Eagle Scout, Kyle Jozsa co-founded the storytelling theatre company, Wandering Aesthetics in 2013 with his partner in work and life, Benjamin Rexroad. Kyle serves as Wandering Aesthetics’ Artistic Director, Director of Education and primary Storyteller. As such, Kyle is charged with collecting stories from the heart of Appalachia to the shores of the Cuyahoga, creating dynamic storytelling performances and inspiring students of all ages to find their voices and tell their own tales. Kyle’s theatrical training includes an intensive summer program at Double Edge Theatre in Asheville, MA, multiple workshops with Akron’s own New World Performance Laboratory and extensive work with Director Benjamin Rexroad. Following his hike of the 2,186-mile Appalachian Trail, Kyle made the transition to solo performer. Through all of these changes, Kyle has remained dedicated to his personal training and the study of the actor’s (and storyteller’s) craft.
RISING STAR
Michael Marras
Born and raised in Akron, Michael Marras works in traditional art, both two- and three-dimensional and digital mixed media. He has a workshop in downtown Akron where he is surrounded by the metal he uses for his intricate sculptures, some of which have earned him accolades through Akron Art Prize. He has a degree in computer animation from Full Sail University and apprenticed to artist Marcos Cruz of Florida who taught him the art of welding. He recently completed his Akron Tree Project, his first public sculpture of a 25-foot tree located at 143 West Market Street that will be installed by the end of June 2016.
ARTS ADMINISTRATOR
Kara Stewart
Kara received her early dance training in Akron, Ohio, at the Dance Institute at the University of Akron. She went on to study as a full scholarship student at the School of Cleveland Ballet, graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and received her Masters of Arts Administration from the University of Akron. Kara is a full-time member of the dance faculty at the University of Akron and has served as the Coordinator for the Arts Administration Master’s Program. She teaches courses in Ballet, Pointe, Learning Theory, Instructional Strategies and Arts Management. Kara is the co-author of Enhancing DECA Protective Factors Through the Arts (2006) and Using the Arts to Develop Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Competence (Department of Mental Health, 2007.) Kara recently presented her research on utilizing dance activities to minimize impulsive behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization, Ohio Dance, and serves on the Board of Directors of NEOS Dance Theater.
ARTS EDUCATOR
Elisa Gargarella, Ph.D.
Tenured Associate Professor of Art Education, began teaching at UA in 2001. She earned a PhD in Curriculum and Instructional Studies from the University of Akron; an MA in Education from Chatham College; and a BA in Communications with a Minor in Studio Art from Denison University. She developed six outreach arts-based programs for the community, and has helped to place over 80% of her students in full time art teaching positions. Dr. Gargarella’s research is based on community-based art education, creative placemaking and social justice education through the arts, pre-service teacher engagement and urban revitalization through public and school arts partnerships. Dr. Gargarella is faculty and coordinator of the Art Education program at UA. She is creator and director of the award winning Arts LIFT program, a recognized summer arts residency for inner city high school students that has produced 11 major public art installations throughout Summit County. Elisa is recently the creator and director of the Art Bomb Brigade. The ‘Art Bomb Brigade’ is an exciting art program chosen for the Knight Arts Challenge by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as an exemplary way to improve struggling and disadvantaged neighborhoods in Akron with wall murals that are designed and painted by art students in the Myers School of Art at The University of Akron.
ARTS PATRONS
Ron and Ann Allan
Ron and Ann Allan immerse themselves in Akron area arts and cultural organizations. As an attorney with Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs, specializing in nonprofit and foundation business, Ron has supported an array of local arts and culture organizations by serving on advisory boards, including Tuesday Musical Association and the Akron Symphony Orchestra. Ann is a former faculty member in library science at Kent State University. However, Ron and Ann give more than just their time — they also share their treasure through the Allan Family Fund of the Akron Community Foundation. Since 1991, the fund has made hundreds of grants to dozens of organizations in Summit County. These include Tuesday Musical Association, Magical Theatre in Barberton, the Greater Akron Musical Association, United Way of Summit County, Old Trail School, Akron/Canton Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Akron Art Museum and many more. “Family Fun Night” at the Akron Art Museum, which exposes local youth to creating art, is an example of the programs made possible by the Allans.
Rick and Alita Rogers
Rick and Alita Rogers have made and continue to make a significant impact in the arts community in Akron. This may too often go unnoticed because of their humble nature, but their contribution is considerable and enduring. Specifically at the Akron Art Museum, their involvement started in 1995. Both Rick and Alita have served on the Board of Directors. Rick was Board Chair from 2003-2005. Alita has been a vice president of the board and is currently secretary. They support the museum in a variety of ways from acquisition of new works to loaning works from their collection to being two of its strongest advocates. In 2012, Rick and Alita pledged a lead gift to the museum for the creation of a garden named in honor of Rick’s parents who are also longtime community volunteers and museum supporters. The Garden will provide the opportunity to create a truly innovative space in which to create meaningful art experiences. It’s location between the museum, Knight Center and library creates a gathering place where people can picnic, come off the Towpath with their bikes, enjoy concerts and take in the art.
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT
Inside|Out
Inside|Out is a community-activated art project that brings high quality art reproductions from the Akron Art Museum’s world class collection into Summit County neighborhoods. In its first year, the museum installed 30 reproduction and outdoor locations in six neighborhoods in and around the Akron area. The project which is funded by the James S. and John L. Knight Foundation generated other local engaging programs while the art was in the various neighborhoods, including an Instagram photo contest. Inside|Out has returned in 2016 to install 40 artworks across another eight neighborhoods and outdoor spaces. It uses an innovative app to provide information about the art and artists and podcasts featuring local community members talking about selected works. The project has served as an effective way for the museum to reach out and create new art lovers.
DIVERSITY IN ARTS
Joni Susa
Lake School District Art teacher Joni Susa uses art to expand her students’ minds beyond their creative talent. She enables them to explore cultural diversity through art; using art as a medium to understand and celebrate other religions, cultures, races and lifestyles. Joni has been a classroom teacher for 17 years and has been part of the faculty at Lake since 2011. She teaches art to students kindergarten through sixth grade which includes students with learning disabilities. Joni had her students take an assessment of their cultural awareness before and after their art experience in her classroom. The students, prior to her art class, scored very low on understanding cultural diversity. After her class they scored significantly higher. Using art, Joni taught the students to embrace other people, even if they are different. Her approach to teaching art impacts others to think outside societal norms. You can be part of the experience in her classroom by reading her blog at susaartclass.blogspot.com.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
David DiDomenico
Cycling enthusiast David DiDomenico is always in motion and that’s the way he supports the Akron art community through the Coffee Pot Café which he opened on South Main Street a year ago. The location under the wing of the library continually displays the work of at least 25 local artists for free. Customers are encouraged to draw and their drawings are displayed anywhere there is space. He invites the community to make the CPC their hub. You will find the Akron Bike Party starting out there every third Friday while the Yarn Lovers at the Library also use it as a monthly meeting spot. There is game night twice per month and community members are welcome to conduct workshops there. He was elected to the Board of Summit Cycling Center this May and is the founder of The Waters Park Renewal Society, a community action group dedicated to the renewal and restoration of Waters Park in North Hill. You will see him working the food service for art and cultural events including this year’s successful Big Love Fest and various events at Summit Artspace.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Barbara Feld
Barbara Feld has been involved with the arts scene in Akron since moving here from St.Louis in 1978. She is a past president of Akron Roundtable and Emeritus Executive Director of Tuesday Musical Association which she led for 24 years. She introduced Akron to live performances some of the extraordinary, world class artists, increased opportunities for area youth to experience classical music and engaged the community in new ways through innovative programs like FUZE, a collaborative project with the Knight Foundation and the Akron Art Museum. She is a past president of Akron Area Arts Alliance Board which operates the Greater Akron community art center, Summit Artspace, and continues as a board member. Her organizational involvement extends to the Blossom Music Center Board of Overseers, the Apollo’s Fire Akron Advisory Board and Project GRAD Akron (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams). She recently won a Knights Arts Challenge to bring Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates to Akron where he will speak at the Akron Roundtable and at the Akron Art Museum. Gates, an expert at the intersection of arts and community revitalization, has helped transform neighborhoods in Chicago, Gary, Indiana, and other cities, and will share his insights and lessons learned. One nominator wrote, “Barbara truly loves her community and is an inspiring force for all she touches. She is able to make critical connections across sectors, bringing organizations and individuals together in ways that can benefit the greater community. For Barbara, it’s always about the greater good. Her life has been dedicated to creating positive change and inspiring passion for the arts in all she encounters.
Reserve tickets online now through June 13 at www.summitartspace.org/artsalive. Tickets are $100 per person and include an incredible strolling dinner, dessert and open bar.
The Out-of-the-Box Auction boxes are now on display at Summit Artspace until the event. The auction, chaired this year by artist Joan Colbert, has been part of the Arts Alive! event since 2001. Local artists donate ingenious creations with their special signature designs on the ultimate utilitarian form – the box! Boxes can be viewed at Summit Artspace during gallery hours: Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. For information, call 330-376-8480. Summit Artspace is located at 140 E. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44308.
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