UA’s Art Bomb Brigade collaborates with Community Support Services of Summit County to bring Inspirational Mural to Region
This spring, another cool thing is happening because of Art Bomb! Thirteen students from UA’s Myers School of Art participating in Art Bomb’s experiential learning class were charged with generating original mural designs in collaboration with artists and clients from Community Support Services (CSS).
Danielle Perich, one of the UA students, said that “the collaboration process with my classmates and the clients added a dynamic that defines the idea of coming together for the good of the community, and I was stoked to be a part of the process.”
Aimed at giving students real world learning opportunities, Art Bomb specifically designs experiences for students to be at the center of public art planning, funding, implementation, community building, and outreach. Additional funding from The University of Akron’s EX[L] Center allowed Art Bomb to invite CSS to be part of that same set of creative processes, and to develop plans for a 3000 sq. foot mural.
Working with clients, UA students developed the “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” mural for the whole side of the Wolf’s Ledges building, which will be visible to thousands of commuters. Based on a quote by Emily Dickinson, the colorful and bright “Hope” mural aims to inspire both clients and local residents to strive toward recovery and let their dreams fly.
Mark Percival, one of the clients from CSS, said, “When I was asked to participate in this project, I was honored. To me, it’s about being part of something bigger than me. And to express how CSS has helped me recover.”
Art Bomb is different from other public art projects, says Marissa McClellan, Assistant Director of the project. “We are an art education program,” she continued. “Working specifically with community organizations, artists and students, the program supports creative leadership and thoughtful design to illuminate spaces around the city.”
Art Bomb has inspired a number of other projects in the area, and is currently the focus of a documentary by The Akronist.
A public celebration to unveil the mural will be on May 23, 2018 from 5pm-7pm at Community Support Services. Food provided by SQUARE SCULLERY and music by CHRIS MILLER will be featured at this FREE EVENT.
About Art Bomb Brigade
Winner of the 2016 Knight Arts Challenge, the Art Bomb Brigade has already completed six murals, soliciting local artists to work with UA’s students to develop and paint high impact murals. Art Bomb Brigade murals have become part of the local fabric in the region with recent works at the Downtown Laundromat, Chill Ice Cream Company, the Akron Sustainer, Echogen Power Systems, Mill Street Bridge, and the Barberton Library.
For more information about Art Bomb Brigade, visit “Art Bomb Brigade “on Facebook or Instagram
For more information about CSS call (330) 253-9388, or visit their website at http://www.cssbh.org/
For more information about the Myers School of Art visit www.uakron.edu/art.
Generous Support for Art Bomb Brigade
The Art Bomb Brigade is a community arts program supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knights Arts Challenge, GAR Foundation, Community Support Services of Summit County, and The University of Akron’s EX[L] Center. The mission of the Art Bomb Brigade is to breathe new life into Akron neighborhoods through high impact public art.