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Leah Wake Rzepka

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Private Events; Visual Arts: Functional and/or Decorative, Illustration, Mixed Media, Murals, Painting, Performance Art, Textiles; Live Painter

I am dedicated to a sacred life of service and healing. Humbly living in the eternal now, striving for knowledge, spiritual growth, love, and light. I channel these forces into visual masterpieces about oneness. Painting to not only awaken my own mind but to shine a light upon the world through all of my work. I am an introspective artist carrying a bright light, learning to translate the unspoken language of an awakening mind through art. I studied art at Columbus State and at The Ohio State University. I am a creator of many mediums. Currently working on an illustrated book of my own and the best paintings I’ve ever created. Including a tactile study for the visually impaired, a product line of huggable paintings, stained glass, and a traveling art installation. I work diligently building my own business with the support of my husband. Also, I am currently working as an artist assistant for a local ceramic mosaic artist that does donor recognition walls for hospitals, synagogues, universities, etc. I am learning from an amazing artist about what it takes to do big jobs like this, and how to apply this knowledge to my own work. Stay Tuned! The Best is Yet to Come!

James Warrick

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Graphic Arts; Performing Arts: Performance Art, Storytelling, Vocal; Visual Arts: Constructions/Collage, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Media and Visual Communications, Mixed Media, Murals, New Media/Technology, Painting, Performance Art, Performers and Writers, Photography, Printmaking, Works on paper

My name is James Warrick, and I am a 19 year old illustrator and designer! I use he/him/his pronouns and identify as a transgender man. I grew up in a hostile environment and am working hard to eventually become a professional fine artist and tattoo artist! I have been working on my art and expressing myself since I was a child, and started taking advanced art classes in high school, even going on to district speaking and screen printing competitions in Missouri! I know my burning desire can get me far, if I’m given a chance. Thank you for taking a moment to view my piece! Within the confines of the four sides of a common canvas, I explore the boundaries of gender expression and queer joy. Growing up, I was always steps away from another move, another house, and another neighborhood. My pieces encompass the idea that we will find joy again and that it’s found in the future, in the little pieces of human kindness and caring for our communities and the world around us. There are so many people in the world who still hope- I owe it to them to try. To not give up. I’ve always had a burning desire for a better world, but I will not become the human fire that destroys it.

Donna Webb

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Visual Arts: Ceramics

Donna Sharrock Webb http://donnasharrockwebb.com/ http://www.ohiowaterways.com/ PUBLIC ART Tile Façade, Angel Falls Coffee Shop, Akron, OH, 2014 Cascade Village Public Art 2012-2013, various projects The Boogie Man of Howard Street, Summit ArtSpace, 2012. Watershed Event, Myers School of Art, 2011 Howard Street Project, Lauer Building, Akron, Ohio, 2010 Room of Beloved Fears, Summit Art Space, 2008 Stairway, residence of Margo Snider, 2008 As Above, So Below, collection of the artist, Akron, OH Nothing Great Is Ever Accomplished Without Much Enduring, Student Union, University of Akron, Akron, OH., 2003 Robinson in the World, Robinson Academy, Akron, OH, 2001 Stairway to the Arts, Vern Rife Center for the Arts, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, 2000 Plus Ultra Bench, Myers School of Art, University of Akron, 2001, Collaborator, J Troutman Commemorative Bench, E.J. Thomas Hall, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 2000, Collaborator, Janice Troutman Four Seasons Floor, Central Ohio Psychiatric Hospital, Columbus, OH, l996 Ceramic History Wall, Myers School of Art, 1995 Magic Fountain, Metro Health Hospital, Cleveland, OH, 1995 King Triton and the Little Mermaid, Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH, l993 SELECTED EXHIBITIONS Submerged, BOJU Pop-Up Exhibition, NCECA, Richmond, VA, 2020 Recollections, Donna Webb, Michael Lazusky, Sherry Bradshaw, ArtSeen Gallery, Vermillion, OH, 2019 Tile Installation, Behrman-Matney residence, Akron, OH, 2019 Strange Particles, light fixture and wall installation, Nancy and Dennis Carracher residence, Copley, OH, 2018 The Book as Art, Decatur Arts Alliance, Decatur, GA, 2018 After the Pedestal, The Sculpture Center, Cleveland, OH, 2017 Water: a collaborative exhibition, (with Jean Marie Hartman) Rutgers University Art Library, 2017 Best of 2017 Ohio Designer Craftsmen, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, OH Black and White, Box Gallery, Summit ArtSpace, Akron, Ohio, 2017 Continuity: Recent works by Myers School of Art Emeritus Faculty, Emily Davis Gallery, University of Akron, Akron, OH 2016 Galactic Pleasures, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA 2016 FUSION: The Merging of Art & Science, Summit Art Space, Akron, OH, 2016 Indiana University East Art Gallery,2016 National Juried Art Exhibition, Art+Science, Richmond, Indiana, 2016 Microcosmos Gallery 621, 309 St. Benicia, CA 94510, 2015 Installation: Cloud, Kokoon Gallery, Cleveland, Spring 2015. Pairings: Collaborative Work, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, 2015 Historic and Contemporary Women Artists, Kokoon Arts Gallery, 2015 Ceramics Invitational 2015, River Gallery, Rocky River, 2015 A Home for Joe, Baldwin Wallace, 2014, Berea, Ohio, 2014 Not the Usual Suspects:Director’s Choice, Lakeland Community College, 2014 Bioforms & Metacosms, Harris Stanton Gallery, Akron, OH, 2014 Earth Moves: Shifts in Ceramic Art and Design, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, CO, 2013 All-Ohio Ceramic Invitational, Heights Arts, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 2013 Small Favors, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA, 2013 Synapse: Art and Science, ActionLink Headquarters, Akron, OH. 2012 Groundwater: Out of Site/Sight Out of Mind, Sculpture Center, Cleveland, OH, 2011 Monumental Ideas in Miniature Books, traveling exhibition, 2011 The Altered Book Project, Summit Art Space, Akron, OH. 201l New Worlds, Places and Form: Kent-Stark College, 2011 Protégé, Mentors and Peers, Pentagon Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio, 2009 The Feminine Spirit: Ceramics of Angelica Pozo and Donna Webb, Crandall Gallery, Mount Union College, 2009 Ceramic Evolution, Penn Armory, Pittsburg, PA 2008 Camera to Canvas, Summit Art Space, Akron, OH, 2008 Red Heat, Alexandre Hogue Gallery, University of Tulsa, Tulsa OK 2007 Art on the Wall and Off the Pedestal, Sculpture Center, Cleveland, OH, 2007 Fresh Art, Summit Art Space, Akron, OH 2006, 2007 and 2008 Third Cleveland Biennial Exhibition, Cleveland State University, 2005 SOCIAL PRACTICE Slide Jam, Akron Art Museum, Once Upon a Time: Story Circles at Cascade Village, 2014 Cascade Village Public Art, Akron, Oh. 2012-2013 AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS Ohio Arts Council, Arts Innovation Grant, with Matt Kolodziej, 2008 Arts Alive! Outstanding Arts Educator, 2007 Faculty Research Grants: 2012, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1995, 1988, 1986 Emerging Artist, National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts, l990 Individual Artists Fellowship, Ohio Arts Council, 1987 PUBLICATIONS The Akron Story Circle Project: Rethinking Race in Classroom and Community, by Carolyn Behrman, Bill Lyons, Patricia Hill, James Slowiak, Donna Webb, and Amy Shriver Dreussi. Akron: University of Akron Press, 2017. 500 Figures in Clay Vol 2, Nan Smith, Lark Books, 2014 A Watershed Event: Communicating Landscape Processes. Hartman, J.M. & Webb, D. Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning 2013: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, April 12-13. Full papers retrieved from http://works.bepress.com/mark_lindhult/1 Out of Sight/Out of Mind: Observing what lies Beneath the Surface. In Biologically-Inspired Computing for the Arts: Scientific Data Through Graphics. Ed. Ahna Ursyn, IGI Global, Hershey , PA. 2012. 500 Tiles. Angelica Pozo, Lark Books, 2007. Terracotta and the London Natural History Museum, Ceramics Technical No. 22.,2006. Mosaic Art & Style: Designs for Living Environments, JoAnn Locktov, 4 images, 2005 The Art of Mosaic Design, A Collection of Contemporary Artists, JoAnn Locktov, 1998

Kate Wells

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Visual Arts: Jewelry

With a degree in Interior Architecture from Ohio University, Kate Wells spends most days designing interiors of commercial buildings, influenced by her study of fine arts and photography. A native of northeastern Ohio, Kate lives in Akron’s Fairlawn Heights neighborhood with her husband and pets. The inspirations for Kate’s jewelry include bright, vibrant colors, rich, organic textures from nature, sinuous elements of art nouveau, and the clean lines of modern architecture. As a self-taught silversmith, Kate uses traditional metalsmithing techniques, along with wire wrapping, glass enamel and metal clay, to create dynamic settings for natural gemstones and pearls, each piece showcasing the materials used in its creation.

Brian Westerley

Artist for Hire: Education, Private Events, Programming; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Radio/Television, Theatre

Experienced Theater Director with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts industry. I have also spent an extensive amount of time working in Human Resources in both LA & Ohio. Strong arts and design professional skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel and Strategic Planning. I currently serve as a Regional Adjudicator for the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA). In the past, I have guided collaborative efforts with Portage Path Behavioral Health (while directing “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”) to further community outreach on the subject of mentail illness and will be doing the same with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) for “bare.” I have previously directed productions of “Tuck Everlasting” at Carnation City Players, “The Country House” at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, “The Spitfire Grill” at Stow Players, “A Few Good Men” at Hudson Players, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at Brecksville Theatre on the Square, “Pilots of the Purple Twilight” at Broadview Heights Spotlights, “Lend Me a Tenor” at Brecksville Little Theatre, and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Night of January 16th,” “Love Letters,” “The Senator Wore Pantyhose” and “Scotland Road” at Western Reserve Playhouse. I took “Other Desert Cities” and “Confessions from the Ladies Room” (Wolf Creek Players) and “Thumbs” (Hudson Players) to the Regional and State OCTA competitions, winning 12 awards total over the last three years. I think at this point, I can safely say that I’m well on my way to the Tonys!

Ron White

Visual Arts: Ceramics, Murals, Sculpture, Works on paper; Ice carving

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Penelope White

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Graphic Arts; Visual Arts: Graphic Arts, Jewelry, Media and Visual Communications, Photography

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, for most of my life I did not think of myself as an artist. I have never had any formal art training, but have always longed to express the beauty of the world that I see through my eyes, my heart and my soul. I have always been strongly influenced and moved by color, light, shadow, textures and shapes. About five years ago I took a strong interest in photography with my main subjects being nature and musical events. Along the way I received encouragement from professionals, and I developed a desire to help people see the world in a different way. That in turn led me to begin digitally manipulating my photos using special effects. I enjoyed thinking outside the box, but felt somewhat frustrated with my nascent efforts. Then I decided to leave my comfort zone and began to create art “from scratch.” Since then a whole new artistic and creative world has opened up to me. I am always gratified by the responses I receive when I post my pieces. At the same time, I have lost my fear of people not liking something I create. This has enabled me to try new techniques and challenge myself to let creativity flow unbounded. True artistic freedom comes when you lose your fear of being right – and I have lost that fear.

John Whitman

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Visual Arts: Murals, Sculpture

The Cracks: A correlation between my Art and Life. Some people try to hide their cracks in life and in art, but I like to embrace them, let them transcend and become part of the character of the work and the person. There are many ways and techniques to stop the cracking process, but I don’t mind the cracks. We all have them in our lives. They tell us who we are. They build our lives and our character. They are there to remind us of who we are, what mistakes we have made, and what mistakes not to make again. I too, have had many of these in my life. They are there, and end up in my art sometimes without my knowledge, only to look me in the face at a later date. I like to take these so-called imperfections and turn them into something conspicuous. Rebirth was the product of a large storm that happened in South Carolina. The storm ended the life of an old live oak by splitting it in half and destroying a house on one side of the street and a garage on the other. It had a very uneventful layover period in my back yard for about a year and then began its life as something completely different. I decided not to get rid of the cracks, but to emphasize them through the use of copper leaf. I wanted to make her cracks stand out and be seen. I used a powerful female torso and copper as a symbol for the Goddess Isis. She is an Egyptian Goddess that was the wife of Osiris. Osiris was then murdered and cut into pieces by his own brother, Set. Isis was responsible for putting him back together and resurrecting him long enough to father their child, Horus. Finally, Isis then forms a copper harpoon and uses it on Set, but does not kill him. I also found it interesting that she tricked Ra into telling her his real name and gained all of his power. She was a strong female figure, and I wanted her sculpture to represent this strength and power. The basis for most of my work follows few guidelines or rules. I like to take something that might seem undesirable or flawed and make it beautiful and exquisite. Most of the time, I try to find discarded wood with character, worm holes and all sorts of unique characteristics. We don’t always come into this world with everything handed to us, so we have to make the best out of what we have. I may start with a plan, but sometimes I don’t. I try to let the wood speak for itself. I let it take me into whatever direction feels right, so I have to be willing to change my plans if I find something interesting in the wood. If working figuratively, I do try to stay true to anatomy and follow basic bone and muscle structure. I also like to add just a little tension to the position of the muscles, hinting at an interesting story. Sometimes, I also focus on certain sections of the body and let the viewer’s imagination fill in the rest. When cracks do happen, and they will, I let them define the piece. We all have them and so should sculpture.

Jessica Wilhelm

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Media; Visual Arts: Architectural Illustration, Conservation/Restoration, Graphic Arts, Media and Visual Communications

My name is Jessica Anne Wilhelm, and with my initials spelling “jaw” is how I decided to come up with my business name: jawdroppingart. I am the Wholesale/Pewter Department Manager at Don Drumm Studios and Gallery in Akron, OH. I have been an artist from the time I picked up a crayon. Art is a true passion of mine, as well as a great way to express myself. I have dabbled in multiple mediums including but not limited to, acrylic, oils, watercolors, and my personal favorite, spray paint. It is a dream of mine to help and inspire others to spark the natural creativity flowing through their minds.

Mary Beth Wilkins

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Private Events; Visual Arts: Textiles; Clothing & Accessories

Made By MB is a small batch fashion studio creating unique clothing accessories and home decor. Each piece is inspired by high quality materials and designed to complement a stylish and practical lifestyle. In my work, I strive to balance the realism of everyday life with the whimsy of the big picture. I hope to remind my customer about the power of following your passion and the importance of self-expression. It’s what’s on the inside that counts!

André Williams

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Private Events, Programming; Performing Arts: Comedy, Spoken Word; Visual Arts: Murals, Painting

I’m a self taught artist from Akron, Ohio. I started off doing art for fun and to create gifts but once people started liking my work on social media, it became a business. I currently do quite a bit of commissioned work as well as host my own paint night in three different cities. I’m blessed to be able to share my gift to say the least. Follow this link to read a bit more about the artist.

Ameer Williamson

Artist for Hire; Performing Arts: Music, Performance Art, Vocal; Visual Arts: Performance Art, Performers and Writers

Ameer Williamson aka Minus The Alien is a hip-hop Recording Artist/Songwriter/Producer from Akron, Ohio. His passion, unique voice, creative lyrics, catchy hooks, soulful harmonies and vocal arrangements combined with conscious subject matter sonically provides a formula that can be embraced by all ages. He was recently named as one of the 2021 top ten Akron rappers to check for by OkayPlayer.com He is also the founder of a grassroots non-profit organization called Alien Arts, Inc. which teaches youth about the positive side of hip-hop culture via annual summer boot camps. www.alienartshiphop.org Minus The Alien has had the privilege to open up for legendary hip hop pioneers such as Rakim, Souls of Mischief, Whodini, Slum Village and Casual. He has performed at various venues throughout northeast ohio including Jilly’s Music Room, Canton Football Hall of Fame, The Bop Stop, The Odeon, Grog Shop, Lock 3 Live, Akron Civic Theatre, Blu Jazz, Musica, Canal Park Stadium, Akron Art Museum & Zimmerman Symphony Center. He has performed at several music festivals including Porch Rokr, Square Fest, Global Village Fest & Big Love Fest. Minus The Alien has appeared on “Around Akron with Blue Green which airs on PBS. He has had several write ups in the Akron Beacon Journal, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Spectrum News Ohio. His music can be heard in regular rotation on 91.3fm The Summit. Minus The Alien just recently released ‘I Come In Peace’ EP a 7 song journey about an Alien who comes to earth with good intentions but becomes engulfed in a web of negative human experiences as a young African American male.. ‘I Come in Peace’ was recorded, mixed and mastered by Nate Vaill @ Just a Dream Studios/Rialto Theater located in Kenmore. The Project features production from Dramatize Productions, Kenneth English & HR3 as well as upcoming artist/songwriter La Butterfly and musician Ron Law.

Joanna Wilson

Literary Arts

Joanna Wilson specializes in writing about Christmas entertainment, most notably Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-Themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies (2010). In 2010 she appeared as a commentator in The Real Story of Christmas on the History Channel, and the TV Guide Network’s 25 Most Hilarious Holiday TV Moments. Wilson writes a prominent blog about Christmas on TV at www.ChristmasTVHistory.com. Additionally, Wilson is the author of local history / nostalgia books, including A is for Akron: an A to Z List of Akron’s Places and Things that Make Us Smile with Karen Starr (2014), and The Story of Archie (2015). She is the co-founder and co-writer of the popular blog Akron Empire. She is also a contributor to the newspaper The Devil Strip. Joanna counts herself as one of Highland Square’s many memorable characters.

Dan Wilson

Artist for Hire: Private Events; Performing Arts: Music

Music has been an integral part of Dan Wilson’s life since his beginnings in gospel music. Upon hearing a Wes Montgomery record in a relative’s basement, Dan decided to pursue a career as a musician. Since then, he has spent more than a decade honing his craft. His debut album, To Whom It May Concern was released in 2012 and is a product of an intense study of many different musical styles and concepts. Dan is currently on an international tour with three-time Grammy nominated jazz organ legend, Joey DeFrancesco, in support of their all-new studio album, “Trip Mode,” which also features drummer Jason Brown & bassist Mike Boone. In addition to touring with Joey DeFrancesco, he has enjoyed the honor of sharing the stage with many jazz greats including Eric Marienthal, Russell Malone, Les Mcann, Christian Mcbride, and Dave Stryker. Dan also teaches jazz guitar and improvisation at Cuyahoga Community College and leads a group of world class musicians, called D.T.C, which features drummer David Throckmorton and Cliff Barnes. The group plans to release a collective album in early 2016. Dan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music & Liberal Studies from Hiram College in 2006. His passion for Brazilian music led him to the city of Rio De Janeiro in 2007 to conduct research for his Masters Thesis which he defended successfully at Youngstown State University in 2009.

Helen Wilson

Visual Arts: Constructions/Collage, Mixed Media, Painting

My love of all things Botanical began at a young age, as I grew up in Southern California playing daily in my Grandmother’s lush garden. My art career began as a middle school student doodling on cereal boxes and gum wrappers. At the age of 16, I was introduced to the wonder of a Rapidograph technical pen. I spent hours drawing and found art to be a means of communication. Entering into the world of adulthood, I set my artistic interests aside for work and family life. Jump ahead several decades, and in the 90s, my family and I moved to the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. My childhood fascination with the natural world was rekindled, and I found myself needing to give voice to the botanical world around me. The beauty of the woods compelled me to return to my interest in art making. I tried many different artistic approaches and finally discovered my voice in the mixed media collage process. After several years of experimenting, I devised my own unique process of 3-D paper collage. I use acrylic paints, mediums, inks, and metal leaf. I also use several techniques to create my many layered pieces. Including mono-printing, asemic writing, sgraffito, intricate cutting, and folding methods. During the pandemic, I began to use my process to create free-standing 3D paper assemblages. I often incorporate cardboard from recycling bins along with items bought from junk stores. In the last few months, I have also begun using a process for creating items from cast paper.

Laurel Winters

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Visual Arts: Illustration, Murals, Painting, Printmaking, Works on paper

Laurel Winters received her BFA and MFA degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. She believes strongly in the sacred principle of the interconnected web of life and living in harmony with all creation. For almost the past decade, Winters’ work has been about the environmental crisis our planet faces. This most recent body of work focuses on the earth and her spirit Gaia struggling to survive the assault of humanity. Winters’ hopes that her work will help raise awareness and action to repair the damage that has already been done and that can hopefully be reversed if everyone works together.

Cecily Wolfe

Literary Arts

I write character-driven fiction for teen and adult readers. Born and raised in Akron (proud graduate of Firestone High School!), I now live in Cleveland Heights and work in the great city of Cleveland. I love Northeast Ohio and Akron, and come home to Akron every chance I get to do all the old and new things I love in our wonderful town!

The Woov

Barberton OH based artist.

Shane Wynn

Visual Arts: Photography

I have been photographing people since the age of 13, the focus has always been the human subject. I enjoy interacting with people on a level I would not otherwise be invited to enagage in. I specialize in portraiture and environmental essays. I work as an editorial photographer contributing regularly to 7 local publications. I enjoy aligning with like minded non profits in the endeavors of photo philanthropy, creating artwork as a tool to compell and inspire change.

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