The Myers School of Art in BCAS was excited to offer its third pre-college summer program coordinated by Professor of Instruction Robert Kelemen for rising junior and senior high school art and design students. New this year was the option to stay in the dorms for a full college experience, including movie nights, a trip to Chill Artisan Ice Cream, and visits to the Student Recreation & Wellness Center.
“We created this immersive art + design experience which has proven to be a wonderful addition to an already strong school,” said Janice Troutman, Director of Myers School of Art. “It offers potential students an exciting glimpse into what college life and a creative career might look like at Myers School of Art.”
From June 12-16, “Make it at Myers” saw 22 participants have an in-person experience at no cost to them, an opportunity made possible thanks to lead sponsor Genevieve “Genny” Karder – inspiring a new generation of artists.
Participants worked directly with Myers faculty and staff to create a personal narrative while discovering all that the Myers School of Art has to offer, allowing them to take advantage of the school’s reputation of working across disciplines.
“Make It at Myers is an intense and fast-paced week of creativity in which students move quickly from idea to creation,” explained Robert Kelemen, graphic design professor of practice. “We showcase their unique individual successes and celebrate the group in a final exhibition attended by friends and family. “
Faculty and staff work with students
This year’s high school juniors and seniors joined these Myers School of Art faculty and staff for a full week of cross-disciplinary exploration in design, photography, ceramics and drawing:
Robert Kelemen, lead program coordinator and led the graphic design component
- David Flynn, led the opening night Creative Campfire
- Fred Hirschman, led the photography component
- Tara Colondo, led the ceramics component
- Meagan Smith, led the painting/drawing component
Several field trips to area museums and galleries were included. Participants’ final work was shown in an exhibition in Folk Hall on the last day where family and friends were welcome to attend.
A week in the life of creativity
It kicked off with a Creative Camp Fire session with Associate Professor of Practice David Flynn. Following the theme of “identity,” students designed logos and generated products utilizing the school’s well-equipped makerspace, created tiles and cups in the ceramics studio, photographed and developed portraits in the darkroom, and created hand-dyed fabric compositions in the painting studio.
In addition to the studio time, Akron Art Museum curator Jeff Katzin gave the group a guided tour of Keith Haring: Against All Odds.
The group also had a tour of Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders and the art-filled storefronts in downtown Akron with Courtney Cable, creative director of Curated Storefront.
Family and friends were invited to a reception celebrating the exhibition of all the stellar artwork produced by students over the course of the program.
Related:
- Story by: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7492 or lmc91@uakron.edu.