Whether in pure element, alloy or compound form, metal has served as a mother lode of ideas and materials for artists for centuries. On Saturday, Aug. 12 the Akron Art Museum will presents contemporary approaches to all things metallic in "Heavy Metal," which pairs internationally known artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Lorna Simpson with artists who live in the Northeast … [Read more...]
Kyle and Kelly Phelps: Working Class Artists (Video)
“A working mans hands are the hands of an artist.” – Kelly & Kyle Phelps Raised in a working class family, Kelly and Kyle Phelps understand the value of working hard every single day. The twin sculptors from Toledo, who look at themselves as “one person in two bodies,” have taken a monumental turn in the art realm by displaying incredible pieces that depict the … [Read more...]
Akron sculptor branches out into public art Kickstarter campaign
Public art acts as an organic advertisement for a city, a unique calling card that firmly establishes a sense of place. A public art project launched by sculptor Michael W. Marras could become a visible local landmark, along with jump-starting a new movement of artwork that is brought directly to the people. Marras, whose medium is welded scrap steel, proposes to build a … [Read more...]
Man of steel, Michael Marras
By Theresa Attalla Scraps of metal pieces, all shapes and sizes, adorned Michael Marras' worktable in Firestone Park. Various machines surrounded the space and Marras jumped to each one with intense focus. This is his studio space, small but efficient for the local artist who was born and raised in Akron, but who came home, about a year ago, from Florida. Michael Marras … [Read more...]