Release Date: Wednesday, September 1st 2010
First Night Akron Celebrates 15th Year with Special Commemorative Admission Button
Enjoy 15 Different Arts & Culture Events for $15 from October 2010-April 2011
Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is pleased to launch the 15 Year Celebration of First Night Akron at the Artwalk in Downtown Akron this Saturday, September 4, 5-10 p.m. The celebration will introduce the commemorative admission button art and events planned for the 15 Year Celebration! Join DAP at the Artwalk Saturday, September 4 for presentations of the 15 Year Button art at 6:15 p.m. at Northside and at 8:15 p.m. at High Street. Enjoy an interactive 15 Year Craft, music by Tom Guarino in the Car Gear parking lot, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and music by Zach at High Street, 7-9 p.m.
Celebrate the 15th Year of First Night Akron and the quality arts and culture offerings in our community at 15 events throughout from October 2010-April 2011, including First Night Akron.
Events include musical performances, behind the scenes tours, special programs created for 15 Year Button holders, and free admission to area cultural venues all for one low cost - only $15!
“We’re proud to have provided this celebration of the arts to the community for the past 14 years and are thrilled to present the 15 Year Celebration of First Night Akron,” stated Gary Rickel, Chairman of the DAP Board of Trustees.
The 15 Year Celebration and 15 Year admission button were developed to showcase the abundant arts and cultural amenities available in our community and extend the First Night festivities throughout the year. Partners of the 15 Year Celebration include Actors’ Summit Theatre, Akron Art Museum, Akron Artwalk, The Akron Civic Theater, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Akron Zoo, City of Akron, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Hower House at The University of Akron, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Summit Artspace and The University of Akron.
15 Year Admission Button Design
The 15 Year Celebration admission button was designed by Warren Becker, a freelance graphic artist specializing in logo design, brand marketing and one -of-a-kind illustrations. Becker was challenged with the task of combining a piece of each of the button designs from the previous 14 years, and a piece of the yet-to-be-unveiled First Night 2011 button art, and combine them into a design for a commemorative admission button for the 15 Year Celebration.
Becker, who experimented with various designs for the button throughout the process stated, “It was challenging to take a series of strong visual graphics and pinpoint one particular element of each to create one cohesive design.” He wanted to celebrate the past button artists and didn’t want to detracted from the original pieces of art. “I was having a hard time creating something cohesive,” he said. He credits his wife Molly for helping him decide to combine the elements into the number ’15.’
The challenges Becker faced, while unique to the 15 Year Button, have also been felt by other past First Night button artists. First Night 2006 button artist Martha Kaltenbach, who’s art served as the admission button for First Night’s last milestone celebration in its 10th year stated,” Not only is being selected an honor, but it's a great challenge.To find a new, creative way to represent all that is First Night and Akron in one image, and be original about it! That's a lot to pack into one small image!”
To continue its tradition of annual button artists, DAP also commissioned artist Maria Alejandra Zanetta to design the traditional First Night 2011 button. Her art will be unveiled in late October and buttons will go on sale for the traditional $10 price on Friday, November 26, 2010. Either button allows access to First Night Akron, but only the commemorative 15 Year Button allows admission to all of the 15 Year events.
15 Year Button Launch and Sales
Button sales launch this Saturday, September 4, 5-10 p.m., at the Artwalk in Downtown Akron with presentations of the 15 Year Button art at 6:15 p.m. at Northside and at 8:15 p.m. at High Street. Also enjoy an interactive 15 Year Craft, music by Tom Guarino in the Car Gear parking lot, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and music by Zach at High Street, 7-9 p.m. The person who purchases the 15th button that evening will receive two complimentary tickets to the GroundWorks DanceTheater performance of “Split Stitch” and “DnA” at the Icehouse Complex (129 N. Summit St.) in Downtown Akron that evening at 8 p.m.
Buttons will be on sale at each of the Artwalks in Downtown Akron on the first Saturday of every month through December, online at www.firstnightakron.org beginning Tuesday, September 7 and at a variety of locations throughout the community beginning on various dates.
Confirmed 15 Year Celebration button sales sites include Akron Glass Works, Akron Zoo, Borders Books & Music (Chapel Hill), Carolyn’s Cupboard (Wadsworth), Everything Akron Store at the John S. Knight Center, Library Shop on Main at the Akron-Summit County Public Library and Stage Left Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre. For the most up-to-date list of button sales locations and the dates buttons will be on sale at each location, visit www.firstnightakron.org. Once you buy your 15 Year Button, be sure to sign up for email reminders about upcoming 15 Year Events at firstnight@downtownakron.com so you don’t miss any of the events!
Artwalks in Downtown Akron
Join First Night Akron at the Artwalks in Downtown Akron on the first Saturday of every month, September-December, as we celebrate our 15th Year with the community! First Night 15 Year admission buttons will be sold and entertainment and interactive activities will be featured at each of the Artwalks, including music, crafts, scavenger hunts and an opportunity to meet First Night artists. Visit www.firstnightakron.org/entertainment/artwalk-celebrations for information about the First Night activities that will happen at each Artwalks through December.
The Artwalk includes galleries located in the Northside District, North High Street, East & West Market Street and Main Street. Visit www.downtownakron.com/artwalk for more information.
15 Year Button Value
Admission buttons are only $15 for 15 different events, including First Night Akron on New Year’s Eve! The actual cost of attending all 15 of the 15 Year Celebration events would be more than $145 per person. At $15 each, the button provides a large savings for those who want to experience the arts in our community throughout the year.
Everyone must have a button to attend 15 Year Events. In some instances children under a certain age are admitted free to the venues and events or normal admission costs are reduced for children under a certain age. Costs and regulations differ by venue and event and are subject to the discretion of the individual organizations. Restrictions and normal admission costs are available at www.firstnightakron.org.
Visit www.firstnightakron.org/entertainment/15-year-events for information about all of the 15 Year Events. Details of each event are accurate as of September 2010. Check www.firstnightakron.org for the most up-to-date event details. In some instances you must present your button to receive a ticket before the event.
About First Night Akron
Now in its 15th year, First Night Akron is a New Year’s Eve celebration unlike any other! This family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration of the arts brings the community together to experience a brief moment in time while creating lasting New Year’s Eve memories. Indoor entertainment and fun featuring music, dance, theater, visual and interactive arts will delight people of all ages!
First Night Akron is a program of the Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the City of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal.
Thank you to our generous First Night sponsors (Confirmed as of 8/31/10):
Platinum Site Sponsors: Acme Fresh Markets, Akron Beacon Journal, Kenneth L. Calhoun, a KeyBank Trust, City of Akron, FirstMerit Bank, GAR Foundation and The John A. McAlonan. Gold Stage Sponsors: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center and METRO Regional Transit Authority. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Silver Project Sponsors: County of Summit, Labels & Letters, PNC Bank, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, Roetzel & Andress LPA and The Welty Family Foundation. Bronze Activity Sponsors: Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Brouse McDowell, LPA, Cohen & Company, CPAs, County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services ADM Board, Eliokem, Inc., GOJO Industries, Inc. and Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation. Special Friends: Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation, The Maynard Family Foundation, New Leaf Design and Studio Martone.
###
If you would like this information in Word documents or need higher resolution commemorative 15 Year button art sent to you, please contact Lisa Knapp at lknapp@downtownakron.com or 330-374-7690.