Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/223893
The Arts Start Here: Engaging our Community Giant tattoo makes mark on neighborhood A giant "tattoo" appeared this summer on an exterior wall of Angel Falls Coffee Company in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood. Actually a painted mural, it's the eighth and latest public art project created by Arts LIFT, an award-winning summer arts apprenticeship program offered by the Myers School of Art at The University of Akron. Guided by tattoo artist and painter Jesse Strother, co-owner of Good Life Tattoos in Highland Square, 14 high school students from the Akron Public Schools collaborated with UA art education students and faculty to design, draw and paint the mural. The Highland Square Neighborhood Association and January Paints and Wallpaper were also involved as project supporters. 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 enhance and engage the community, assist underserved populations, and address environmental and ecological issues. Elisa Gargarella, the UA associate professor of art education who originated and directs Arts LIFT, explains: "Through public art, Arts LIFT inspires social engagement, builds awareness of cultural resources and helps to invigorate the local economy." Akron welcomes award-winning actor back home John Lithgow returned home in April to share his memories of living in Akron. Speaking at UA's EJ Thomas Hall, the award-winning actor, musician, author and arts advocate offered touching and humorous reflections on his life and career. He often invoked memories of his father, Arthur, who brought the Lithgow family to Akron while he directed a Shakespeare festival at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron and the old Ohio Theatre in Cuyahoga Falls. He also talked about his work last year on Broadway in The Columnist, written by David Auburn, the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning son of longtime Akron residents and UA graduates Mark and Sandy Auburn. While in Akron, Lithgow also worked with UA students in the performing arts and toured the city and his old haunts. His visit was sponsored by UA's Mary Schiller Myers Lecture Series. 13