Regional artists will showcase their fine arts and crafts at the University Park Art Fair at Grace Park Saturday, August 18, 2007.

Presented by the University Park Development Corporation (UPDC), the art fair will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Grace Park on Perkins Street.

University Park is a resurgent neighborhood located in the central part of Akron and anchored by The University of Akron, Summa Health System's Akron City Hospital, The City of Akron, Akron Public Schools and the downtown business district.

The art fair is sponsored by the Brennan Family Foundation; University Park Alliance; Summa Health System; City of Akron; Oriana House; Boomerang, LLC; FirstMerit; OMNOVA Solutions Foundation; Akron Children's Hospital; Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease; National City Bank; Brennan, Manna & Diamond; Windstream Yellow Pages; The Chapel; Brouse McDowell; Summa Health System; Maynard Family Foundation; R.C. Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation; Jill's House of Information, LLC; Welty Building Company, Ltd.; Roetzel & Andress; Northeast Ohio Nephrology Associates, Inc.; iMMiX Studios; and Triad Communications.

"Grace Park is a unique atmosphere for an art fair because it's located in the heart of downtown Akron," said Patrice Lange, chairperson of the event and vice president of planning and corporate support for Summa Health System.

"We are pleased that so many of our community's civic, non-profit and business leaders are partnering with us for this exciting cultural event," added J. Bret Treier, UPDC's board chairman.

Admission to the University Park Art Fair at Grace Park is free. The event is expected to be one of the largest art fairs in the city and the only one located in downtown Akron.

Featured at the fair will be:
More than 100 regional artists and their work for purchase;
Artwork including ceramics, glass, wearable art, furniture, drawings and graphics, fiber, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, watercolor, wood art and more;
Two large-scale community art projects for which attendees may participate and add their personal touch:
Friends of Grace Park Community Project with Artist Bob Yost
Create a piece of history about our history! Work with artist Bob Yost to make a permanent ceramic tile entry marker for Grace Park. Each tile within this work will illustrate some significant history of Grace Park (the oldest park in Akron) and Grace Tod Perkins (wife of Colonel Simon Perkins) for whom the park is named. 10AM " 6PM.
Land of the Midnight Sun Family Workshop with Artist Mark Soppeland
Help artist Mark Soppeland create works of art that will become part of a major black light installation for First Night 2008! Participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of techniques in the production of art that will be revealed under black light. 10AM - 1PM.
A picnic pavilion operated by Virtues Restaurant
Virtues is a refined dining establishment nestled in the new Ann and David Brennan Critical Care Center, on the campus of Summa's Akron City Hospital. This new restaurant offers an eclectic mixture of California style cuisine with Italian, French and Asian influences. The menu was created by Wolfgang Puck protg Tony Mohseninia, corporate executive chef at Summa Health System.
A family-friendly atmosphere; and
Entertainment, spotlighting several of the area's best musical acts and performers.
Triad Communications Performance Area
10 " 11:45AM: !ra Jazz Project (jazz/funk/jazz fusion)
12 " 1:45PM: The Wild Eyed Boys (rock/blues/garage)
2 " 3:45PM: Tofu Fighters (rock/modern rock/originals)
4 " 6PM: Tracey Nguma & the Umojah Reggae Band (reggae)
iMMix Studios Performance Area
11AM " Funny Folk Tales from Around the World: Miller South School of the Performing Arts Commedia dell'Arte Troupe
2-6PM " Michael Roy Folding Paper Art

The UPDC is a collaboration of people devoted to reviving the University Park area. The mission of both the UPDC and the art fair is to showcase the metropolitan neighborhood,thriving businesses and other offerings University Park provides its visitors.

"The University Park Art Fair at Grace Park will be an excellent venue for artisans to showcase their work, and it will give attendees a chance to visit and appreciate this vibrant district in downtown Akron," said Ken Beach, executive director of the UPDC.

On-street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods, and parking lots are open for use at adjacent businesses. For more information about the University Park Art Fair at Grace Park call 330.972.7846 or visit www.universityparkartfair.org.

About University Park Development Corporation
The University Park Development Corporation (UPDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the renewal and rebirth of the University Park neighborhood and serves the people who live, work and play in the area.

UPDC strives to strengthen the economic, civic and environmental capabilities the University Park district through residential development, rehabilitation of the area and renovation of existing housing stock.

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