Situated on one of the highest traffic areas in Akron — the three-lane thoroughfare between downtown and the Bridgestone Research Center near the I-76 interchange ramp — Downtown Laundromat’s mega-mural will undergo a makeover this summer. It will become the first public art project to be created by Art Bomb Brigade, winner of the 2016 Knight Arts Challenge, and Arts LIFT, a longstanding summer arts apprenticeship program offered by the Myers School of Art at The University of Akron.
Driving north on South Main Street, more than 2,000 square feet of brightly colored surreal mural will come into view on the Downtown Laundromat building at 1035 South Main St. in South Akron, a residential area identified as having low homeowner occupancy and high poverty.
Community collaboration
Under the guidance of Matt Miller, professional painter and UA alumnus, 25 art students from the Akron Public Schools and the University will work with faculty to design, draw and paint the mural.
The project runs June 13 to 24, with work happening at UA’s Folk Hall and on-site at the Downtown Laundromat. Sherwin Williams is also involved as a major project supporter.
Arts LIFT and Art Bomb Brigade artists will unveil the completed mural during a free public celebration on July 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., at Downtown Laundromat. The celebration will feature Akron-based band, The Dreemers; Akron Art Museum co-hosting a free community art project; food vendors such as Stray Dog and Stone Pelican Rolling Café food trucks; and art vendors Crafty Mart and Little Chicago Clothing will be on site to sell locally made goods.
About the Art Bomb Brigade
Art Bomb Brigade was chosen from more than 500 entries by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge as an exemplary way to improve struggling and disadvantaged neighborhoods in Akron with wall murals that are designed and painted by art students in UA’s Myers School of Art.
The purpose of Art Bomb is to generate curiosity, invigorate local economies, promote interaction among nontraditional audiences in public areas, draw new visitors to neglected communities, heighten the quality of life for struggling neighborhoods, revitalize lost spaces, and develop a renewed celebration and commitment to place.
“Art in public spaces can change the way we see our communities and our lives,” noted Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation. “We are delighted that the art school sees the city as its canvas, and as a place to reflect and build community through art.”
About Arts LIFT
Founded in 2002 with support from the Lola K. Isroff Arts Assistance Endowed Fund, The University of Akron’s Arts LIFT program enables students to work with professional artists while participating in collaborations that engage the community, assist underserved populations, and invigorate local culture and economy.
Elisa Gargarella, a UA associate professor of art education, originated and directs Arts LIFT.
“Arts LIFT has developed a reputation for bringing together urban students, teachers, artists, and community organizations to create positive change in our city,” explains Gargarella. “The public art contributions from Arts LIFT have paved the way for many small enterprises and nonprofits to invest in the creative assets of our region’s young people and local artists and to building a more interesting, culturally and economically-rich city.”
For more information about Arts LIFT and the Art Bomb Brigade, call the UA Myers School of Art at 330-972-8325.
Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.
This side of the Downtown Laundromat building will be "art bombed" by UA and Akron Public School students in coming weeks for a whole new look.
In 2015, this mural was created for Akron’s West Hill neighborhood.