University Park Art Fair back at Grace Park

By Kathleen Folkerth

West Side Leader

August 12, 2010

AKRON — The University Park Art Fair will be back for its fifth year, bringing art, music and family activities to Grace Park.  The one-day event will take place Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the park, located at Perkins and Prospect streets in the University Park neighborhood.  More than 100 artists will be on hand with their creations for sale.  Returning to the event once again is University of Akron art professor Mark Soppeland, who will host a family art workshop. Participants can create black-light art with other projects that will demonstrate the use of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in art making. Included will be works that investigate optical illusions; light and lenses; bubbles; mobiles; lasers; water, magnets and “structural amazement,” according to organizers.  Artwork created at Grace Park with Soppeland will have the opportunity to be displayed at First Night® Akron in the exhibition Strange Experiments of the Midnight Sun.  Other art stations will be coordinated by the City Art Project and Leandra Drumm.

Musical entertainment will be on the Triad Communications Showmobile Stage throughout the day. The Chardon Polka Band will perform at 10 a.m., followed by Lo Watt Radio at 11:45 a.m., Ashley Brooke Toussant at 1:30 p.m. and The Speedbumps at 4 p.m.

The University Park Art Fair Picnic Pavilion will feature the fare of University Park eateries, including John’s Gyro King and Word of Mouth BBQ.  For more information on the event, go to www.universityparkartfair.org.