Don Drumm returns to design the 20th annual First Night Akron admission button — archive

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Release Date: Wednesday, November 18th 2015

Don Drumm returns to design the 20th annual First Night Akron admission button

Don Drumm also created the event's inaugural button in 1996

For the 20th anniversary of First Night Akron, the team of past button artists decided to forego the nomination process and invite Don Drumm to create the button for this milestone year. Drumm also created the original First Night button 20 years ago. The button is worn by thousands of revelers for admission to 10 venues on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015 from 6 p.m.-midnight. The inaugural First Night Akron took place on Dec. 31, 1996 not only to welcome 1997 but the start of a renaissance in Downtown Akron. The streets and businesses looked very different then, but the goal of the event was the same as it is now: to celebrate the arts in a family-friendly, affordable way with thousands of revelers in the heart of the city. Drumm's design that year was a moon, something he felt would be most appropriate as the activities took place at night. His creation set the standard for other button artists in the years to come. His creation for the 20th year is not a sun, a moon or even a cat, but a colorful bird. Resembling a phoenix, his design speaks to the transformation and regeneration of Downtown Akron and how far the vibrancy of the neighborhood has come since 1996. Much like the phoenix who rises from the flames reborn, Downtown Akron has done - and continues to do - the same. Don Drumm was born in Warren, Ohio in 1935. After studying medicine for two years at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, he decided to pursue a career in art. He transferred to Kent State University where he received a B.F.A. and an M.A. He subsequently worked as a designer for the Industrial Design firm "Smith, Scherr and McDermott" for two years. In 1960 Drumm opened his own studio, as a full time practicing sculptor and designer/craftsman near the University of Akron. In 1971, together with his wife, Lisa Drumm, he expanded the studio to incorporate a one-room gallery. Since then the enterprise has grown extensively and now embraces eight buildings, providing gallery facilities for over 500 artists and studio space for three resident artists. First Night Akron 2016 is a celebration of Downtown Akron First Night Akron is a family-friendly celebration of the arts with more than 70 music, dance, theater, art and interactive experiences for guests of all ages. This year,  Lock 3 has been added to the footprint bringing the total number of venues to 10. Admission buttons go on sale Friday, Nov. 27 for $10 each with children 9 and under admitted free with a button-wearing adult. Buttons can be found at Acme Fresh Markets (16 locations) participatingFirstMerit Bank branches (37 locations), Akron Art Museum, Akron Civic Theatre box office (across the street from the Civic on the first floor of the Ohio Building), Angel Falls Coffee in Highland Square, blue: A Goodwill boutique, The Library Shop at Main and Lock 3. Buttons are also available at www.firstnightakron.org and the DAP office in Greystone Hall. On the evening of Dec. 31, admission buttons will be available at Acme Fresh Market until 8 p.m. and at the Akron Civic Theatre and The Library Shop at Main. First Night buttons provide admission to all event sites and freeMETRO bus rides to each venue.   
  Fabulous FirstMerit Fireworks and Laser Light Show In a new feature revelers are invited to come in from the cold at 9 p.m. for an early celebration of the coming new year. Enjoy the new FirstMerit Bank laser light spectacular at the John S. Knight Center in the upper exhibit hall. FirstMerit Bank has supported First Night Akron every year for 20 years. Since the beginning, they bring in the new year with a bang during the FirstMerit Fireworks Show. After experiencing the sights and sounds of First Night's nine other venues, head back to the Mainstage before midnight and join in the countdown to 2016 with FirstMerit's fireworks extravaganza.  Discover PNC's Grow Up Great at Akron-Summit County Public Library This venue highlights PNC's Grow up Great efforts through the art of imaginative play. Learn how to make dragons dance in celebration of the new year with UA's Confucius Institute. Make "shooting stars" in the Children's Library and learn the art of origami with Asian Services in Action. Be wowed by interactive illusions with Magic Mike and watch Spoon Man play the musical spoons. Create your own wearable art with Pat Catan's Mask Making. This venue is open from 6-11 p.m. Jump into the FirstEnergy Zone The FirstEnergy Zone in the JSK exhibit hall boasts activities for all - the young and young at heart - with the Akron Video Game Truck, bounce houses, obstacle course, jousting arena and other inflatables. Also enjoy a live DJ, face painting, hair braiding and more until 10 p.m. Main Street and Lock 3 action The heart of Downtown Akron will be bustling with Colin Dussault's Blues Project on the Mainstage and horse drawn sleigh rides by Carriage Limousine. The Goodyear Ice Sculpture Garden features ice creations representing each of First Night's 20 years along with live ice carving demonstrations throughout the evening. Visit Winter Fest at Lock 3 during First Night Akron for ice skating on their 10,000 square foot ice rink from 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Skate rental is $3.  Play 9-holes of Polar Putt-Putt from 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. for $3.  Take a slide down Reindeer run from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. for $3. Enjoy $1 off of these activities with a First Night button. While continuing to work on bringing a fully established children's museum to Akron, Akron Children's Museum is bringing something temporary for this winter season. Check out fun, interactive exhibits and activities focused on science and technology, health and wellness, arts and culture, and citizenship and community. Admission is $3 per person with First Night button-wearers receiving $1 off admission. Also open in this space is the American Toy Marble Museum with exhibits and displays of old Akron, toys and marbles and much more.

Don't let First Night be your only night in Downtown Akron

Add value to your First Night button for only $5 more. Purchase a Discover Downtown Akron Passport and experience arts and culture offerings from Dec. 2015 through Dec. 2016. For $15, enjoy tours, free admission to popular venues, events and theater. AFirst Night Akron 2016 button is included with the passport.The Downtown Akron Passport has an actual value of $219. Visit www.downtownakron.com/passport to purchase online or for a list of sales locations, including Acme Fresh Market. First Night Akron is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding partners are the city of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal & Ohio.com. Thank you to our generous First Night Partners: Platinum: Acme Fresh Market, Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.Com, Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron, county of Summit, FirstMerit Bank, GAR Foundation and PNC Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Gold: FirstEnergy, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center and METRO Regional Transit Authority. Silver: Labels & Letters, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, Pat Catan's Craft Centers, Pritt Entertainment Group, Roetzel & Andress LPA. Sisler McFawn Foundation and the Welty Family Foundation.  Bronze: A. Schulman; Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund; Cohen & Company; GOJO Industries, Inc.; Huntington Bank; Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust KeyBank, Trustee; Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation; Moffitt Foundation; The Murdough Foundation; R.C. Musson & Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation; Northeast Ohio Parent; Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation; Lloyd L. and Louis K. Smith Memorial Foundation.  Special Friends: Akron Summit Community Action, Inc., Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation, Coca-Cola, The Maynard Family Foundation and Miller's Party Rental Center. Official Radio Partner: 98.1 WKDD