Canton's art scene is in the middle of a renaissance thanks to organizations like ArtsinStark. The city already boasts more than 20 art galleries, shops and studios and it just gained another, The Hub Gallery and Studio, brainchild of Tim Carmany. Twenty-seven-year-old Carmany grew up in Huntington, Ohio. Believe it or not, visual art wasn't his first love, it was theater, "I really love all aspects of theater. It's a high art form that hasn't yet seen it's pinnacle." He spent his free-time perusing acting while he was in high school. Writing, acting, producing and directing interested h...
A staple in the local pop-culture art scene, Thirteenth Floor Gallery had hosted some pretty killer exhibits and events at its previous locations in Massillon. However, gallery owner Billy Ludwig packed up his macabre and outsider art and moved it into a new location right in the heart of the Canton Art District on 4th St. “It was a rather impulsive move,” Ludwig said of the relocation. “From the initial decision, checking out the space and signing the lease — it literally all happened within a couple days. Fourth St. very quickly felt like home, not to mention the neighboring galle...
Nestled away in the unassuming building of 68 Exchange St. in Akron is a hotbed of creative activity. Roger McClain of Rubber City Recording Studio, Val Bailey and her dancing troupe of Dragon Ladies, and other artists, poets, and musicians have come together to form what looks like the epicenter of an Akron art revolution in progress. There is nothing but pure love and support for one another. One can see that oriental-warrior dancer Bailey takes her art seriously. She doesn’t just talk about it, she lives it. “Warrior dancing is a way for us to take life by the horns. We’ve all been...
Having a collection of more than 20 bowling trophies might seem a little strange to some people, especially if the person who has them doesn’t bowl. Junk artist Tom Sullivan of Cuyahoga Falls has been collecting them for years and recently found a purpose for a few of them for his upcoming show Duck and Cover at Studio 2091. A work in progress since September, Duck and Cover is a combination of silver gelatin prints (photographs developed in the darkroom), store front signs, and a few ray guns. The photographs were all shot and developed by Sullivan himself. Most of the photos are humorou...
Five actors, 22 parts, countless sound cues and a well-know film script, adapted for radio performed by thespians in front of a live audience — definitely not a recipe for a run of the mill holiday production. However, Canton's Parallax Ensemble will be doing just that, as they bring the Christmas classic “It's a Wonderful Life” to the stage. Those familiar with the film version of the tale of a distraught man and an angel trying to earn his wings will find little variation in the radio script, as the movie preceded any other versions. Craig Joseph, Parallax member, explained that the ...
Before AfterIf you've driven down Cleveland Ave. in Downtown Canton you've likely noticed the new public art adorning the facade of George's Lounge. The outstretched arm reaching for a icy brew dog in a tall mug was made by Kent State art student Tyler Joy, winner of an art competition hosted by the bar. George's began accepting submissions in late summer and in less than a month had 10 entries to select from, explained George's owner Ryan McMichael. From these it was whittled down to two finalists and then it was up to the patrons to decide who the winner would be. “We wanted more pu...
“Our flavors are in it, not on it,” Henry Thompson of Henry’s Gourmet Popcorn said. This proprietor of Canton’s latest crackly, crunchy, sweet treat is devoted to his popcorn, and it isn’t just the run-of-the-mill, cheddar-dusted kernels he’s popping. “People want what’s real,” Thompson said, “When they get a choice between real bacon and a bacon flavor, what are they going to pick?” The answer is obvious. “We take that bacon and we put it in it. We don’t do bacon flavoring, no artificial sprinkling on top. This is the real deal.” Thompson credits his creative, s...
“Was I into art growing up in high school? Ah, that shit’s irrelevant.” Craig Booth AKA Uncle Dreg is pretty straightforward. “Nah, I played sports.” Even though it took turning 30 to realize his pursuit in life, he is unabashedly unashamed of his methods and subjects. The Canton artist began with a 35mm camera and delved into the world of photography. Then, he transitioned into digital photography, “but everyone and their mother started doing it too.” Booth said. So he needed a way to stand out. When his brother decided to open up the Second April Art Gallerie, Booth jumpe...
Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and the like fought against traditional fine arts conventions in their generation; Chris Seaman is doing the same in ours. As time goes by, we ask, “What is art?” and with each new artist, we constantly redefine the boundaries of what make art, art. Seaman understands the struggle very well as he tows the line between being a commercial illustrator on an international level and a true artist. “I want to be able to leave a legacy,” Seaman said, “something that sticks around a lot longer than I will.” And a legacy he will be leaving. Seaman is somewhat o...
The iconic close-up image of a lip-biting mouth should be next to the word “campy” in the dictionary. Love it, hate it, or don’t give a fuck — everyone knows of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” It’s time to break out your worst fishnets and lipstick again, and head to The Auricle in Canton. From Oct. 20-28, Director Marci Saling’s hand-picked cast of cross-dressing, fun-loving misfits will take the stage to do the time warp … again. Has it been overdone? Is that even possible for a show like this, with platinum-level cult classic status? It is difficult to reincarnate “R...
For a person who can list college football player, hairstylist, construction worker, and firefighter among his former careers, one wouldn’t expect Ryan Flowers to be an artist. The good thing though, is that the best kind of art is found in unexpected places. This time, it’s at Studio 2091 in Cuyahoga Falls where Flowers’ sculptures are on display for the first time in the area. These aren’t just any sculptures though. “I actually study cadavers. Then, I spend hours, days, just sitting thinking about my next project. What I’m going to do. What it’s going to look like. What I...
Screenwriter Nick Pustay is coming home to Ohio to share his Hollywood success story, one that he couldn't have written any better himself. Pustay, 42, will be in town for the Canton Film Fest, taking place Oct. 5 and 6 at the Canton Palace Theatre. The event will feature film screenings and workshops along with educational resources and networking opportunities for aspiring movie makers. Most of Pustay's family lives in Canton, so he will have a friendly audience on hand for a screening of the 2009 film "Ramona and Beezus." Pustay wrote the screenplay as an adaptation of Beverly Cleary'...
Bekah Moss is a diminutive girl, but don’t let her size fool you. Her talent, ideas and aspirations will send you reeling, and you wonder if the term “old soul” really does exist. She jumps from subject to subject as she tries to round up her life into a single hour. The passion is evident as words spill over, and you can’t help but get drawn into the roller coaster of her conversation, feeling her excitement right alongside her. “I’ve been drawing my whole life. I don’t think there’s been a single day in the past three or four years where I have not drawn something,” Mos...
Once upon a time … When you read that, how many of you thought of a princess, Prince Charming, an evil witch, poison, and love everlasting? They are as familiar to us as our loved ones, despite being centuries old. Two hundred years ago the Grimm brothers compiled a collection of these stories and popularity remained strong, but how true to reality are these tales in the present day? Jessica Bennett, executive director for India Ink Press, wants to take what we know as the classic fairy tale and spin it on its head. “Modern Grimmoire: Contemporary Fairy Tales, Fables, & Folklore” is t...
Thanks to Instagram, every asshole with an iPhone and a pretty drink, a sunset view or new pair of shoes is a photographer. Massillon artist Bili Kribbs is also making art more accessible, but that’s where this comparison ends, and he’s not irritating, as Instagram tends to be. Kribbs is on a mission to make his paintings more collaborative and more personalized to the client. “I think everyone has creative ideas when it comes to art, but they just aren’t bold enough to commit them to paper or canvas,” he said. “So I offer a service and product that does that for them.” Wit...
Art in the Square has always been the celebration of a neighborhood; it’s an event that brings together musicians, artists, theater groups and other culturally-minded folk for a day of entertainment in Highland Square. Due to various factors, including the structural re-evaluation of the volunteer Highland Square Neighborhood Association (HSNA) that helps plan the annual get-together for the bustling Akron urban district, Art in the Square has been postponed until 2013. Don't go slinking off to change your calendars just yet, folks. A recently formed grassroots group has been busy taki...
By Rory Axelrod “Pipefitters, Porn and PBR,” a new exhibit by Northeast Ohio artist John Puglia, explores the world of the pipefitters in Akron's rubber plants during the '70s and '80s. While fondly reminisced about as the “good ol' days” when jobs were plentiful and the American Dream seemed obtainable, this was also a time of hard work in tough conditions. Unbeknownst to most, this grind-'em-up mentality of the work developed a sort of tick in the employees, a need for escape — not just from their jobs, but perhaps also their families, homes and real life. For the city's pipe...
The pegs of a BMX bike protest their slide down a metal rail with golden orange sparks. Metal music blares at adrenaline- releasing levels, and most of the walls are covered with graffiti. These are his walls. Sweat stains in dark gray on his T-shirt that hangs loosely over black jeans and skateboarding shoes. His face glistens with sweat and is crowned by a smile when nearly inverted on a quarter pipe. This is his playground, his therapy, his life. As the sparks fly, “Sikes Houlahan” is walking through the labyrinth-like landscape of Evolution Skate Park at the corner of Navarre Road a...
What in the hell is Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School? Good question. Dr. Sketchy is a night where you, as an artist, or a novice can have the opportunity to break away from a "normal" figure model setting. It takes place in a bar/lounge, I could just stop there and it would already sound awesome, but once you add a half-naked woman and prizes how could you go wrong? Can you explain what the "alt.drawing" movement is? I certainly can. It's an alternative to life drawing in that it adds alcohol, music and sex to what otherwise is a formal training exercise. So, you're saying that anyone, n...
Epic. Creepy. Shudder. Awe. Art that comes from the deepest disturbed part of the mind. It makes you uncomfortable, but you can’t stop staring. You can’t stop, because it’s so real and so true. On Aug. 11, “The Akron Artrocity” promises to send you to a whole new dimension of art, featuring artists known for their counterculture work. Morbidity and political themes abound. Zombies too, because you can’t have an eerie culture experience without the chant for “braaaaaains” in the background. Shawn Coss, known for his sinister, demonic art, is curating his first, but not last, ...
