‘Untold Stories: The Forgotten Underclass in Rust Belt Urban Renewal’

New-genre artist Dr. Jennifer Vanderpool presents newly created artwork for “Untold Stories: The Forgotten Underclass in Rust Belt Urban Renewal” at the Emily Davis Gallery in the Myers School of Art in Folk Hall March 11 to April 19.

The exhibition narrative identifies outmoded imagery of blighted “Rust Belt” cities and employs them as allegories to evoke questions about neighborhood decay and gentrification, segregation, generations of unemployment, and economic redevelopment.

Vanderpool, a Mahoning Valley native currently based out of Los Angeles, created this series by incorporating abstracted elements from historic tourism posters, souvenir postcards, print advertisements, TV commercials, company training films, corporate photographs, and other media into her design aesthetic to craft narratives of imaginary realism that evoke the Rust Belt region. 

Exhibit has UA ties

“Untold Stories” will include digital prints, archival material provided by The University of Akron Archives and a documentary film. The film will feature interviews with Akron area community members and professionals, such as UA professors Dr. Ramona Ortega-Liston, David Giffels, Dr. Bill Lyons, and several retired rubber workers, including Don Heffner, Al Fitch and others.

Meet Vanderpool at the free artist reception on Thursday, March 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. Free parking is available for the reception, and visitor parking at metered spaces is available during gallery hours. There will be a panel discussion on April 11 starting at 6 p.m.

“Untold Stories” is part of a multi-venue exhibition that also takes place at the Tyler History Center in Youngstown that continues through April 7. The twin exhibition and related programming are funded in part by both The University of Akron and Youngstown State University, and an ArtSTART grant from The Ohio Arts Council.

The exhibition on UA’s campus is organized by the Emily Davis Gallery and sponsored by the Myers School of Art Gallery Committee with support from The University of Akron Archival Services.

The Emily Davis Gallery is located in Folk Hall home to the Myers School of Art, 150 East Exchange St., on The University of Akron campus. Gallery Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.