This summer, downtown Cuyahoga Falls will see new works of art flowing down Front Street, thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the contributions of local artist Don Drumm.
Drumm, a pioneer in the use of aluminum and contemporary building materials as artistic mediums, will unveil a new 18 foot sculpture at High Bridge Glens Park. While not much is known about the sculpture at this time, Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio told the Falls Free Press that “Mr. Drumm has agreed to this location—he wanted it to be visible from several vantage points. In this location, people can walk all the way around the sculpture to view each side.”
While Drumm will donate his time and talent to this project, anticipated to be completed by May, the city will be responsible for all material and installation costs.
“It is going to be a great addition to the park and the city overall,” stated Parks & Recreation Superintendent Sara Kline.
In addition to Drumm’s sculpture, NEA’s Our Town grant, which the city accepted last year, will be used to finance the community art project known as “River in the City.” The Our Town grant is a project-based funding opportunity that, according to NEA, “integrate[s] arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes.”
Managed by Curated Storefront, a local team who has enhanced downtown Akron with art installations, events, and special exhibits inside underused spaces, “River in the City” will feature local and national talent to engage the community, as well as relate the identity of the Cuyahoga River to the city. In preparation for the event, Curated Storefront and Collide: Cuyahoga Falls are asking local artists to submit their own project, with four participants chosen for the final project. These projects can include any style of community engagement activity, including music and/or dance performances, poetry, creative writing, sculpture, printmaking, painting, or even guided walks along the river. Accepted entrants will be asked to lead their activity on a certain day with volunteers on-hand to assist and will be provided a $1,750 stipend for materials and labor.
Artists who wish to submit an activity for “River in the City” can visit Curated Storefront online or email Amber Anderson by March 3, 2022.
For more information about River in the City, visit https://craftymart.submittable.com/submit/8d9bbbca-1cd3-4342-a3c2-59626ceee55b/request-for-proposals-cuyahoga-falls-river-in-the-city.
