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Release Date: Friday, November 21st 2014
First Night Akron unveils button art for 19th annual New Year’s Eve celebration
Button design created by local artist Larry Walker; button sales begin Nov. 28
The First Night Akron 2015 button artist, selected by a committee of past buttons artists, is Lawrence A. Walker, a graphic designer and artist. The button is worn by thousands of revelers for admission to 12 venues of entertainment on New Year’s Eve. First Night Akron takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 from 6 p.m.-midnight.
It took Larry Walker just over 12 years to fully follow the call to be an artist. Upon graduation from Kent State University in 1956 with a degree in graphic design, he worked for the Akron Beacon Journal in advertising layout and illustration. After 11 years with the Beacon, he took a position with The J.C. Penney Co. as advertising manager and art director. After a short time, he felt a draw toward fine arts and returned to Kent State to earn a bachelor’s degree in art education and soon after, a master of fine arts.
In addition to advertising and design paths, art instruction was a major part of Walker’s career. He was an art teacher at St. Joseph’s School, Cuyahoga Falls High School, The University of Akron, and Central Hower High School, where he remained until retirement in 1999.
The winning design was one of five unique crayon batik concepts Walker submitted. “I put a great deal of time, thought and effort in to my proposal and felt very good about all five designs I submitted. And then I hoped for the best,” he said. “When I received word that one of my proposed designs was selected, I felt honored. I was given the opportunity to do something I had often thought about but never expected to do.”
“I know several of the artists that have been selected in the past and always thought it was a special opportunity for them. I never expected to be counted among them. It puts anyone in pretty select company,” he said.
First Night Akron 2015 is a celebration of Downtown Akron
First Night Akron is a family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration of the arts with nearly 80 music, dance, theater, art and interactive experiences for guests of all ages. This year, The Nightlight and Palladian Palette on N. High Street have been added to the footprint bringing the total number of venues to 12.
Admission buttons go on sale Friday, Nov. 28. Admission buttons are $10 each and children under the age of 10 are admitted free with a button-wearing adult. Buttons can be found at Acme Fresh Market (17 locations), participating FirstMerit Bank branches (39 locations), 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, The Library Shop on Main and Lock 3. Buttons are also available at www.firstnightakron.org and the DAP office in Greystone Hall (103 S. High St, 4th floor). On the evening of Dec. 31, admission buttons will only be available at Acme Fresh Market until 8 p.m. and at the Akron Civic Theatre and The Library Shop on Main in Downtown Akron. First Night buttons provide admission to all event sites and free METRO bus rides to each venue.
Fabulous FirstMerit Fireworks
FirstMerit Foundation has supported First Night Akron since the beginning, bringing in the New Year with a bang. Enjoy the Akron Children’s Hospital Kids Countdown Show with Popfusion at 8 p.m. Join the crowd at 9 p.m. at the Mainstage for the FirstMerit Fireworks Show. Meet up again on Main Street at 11:15 p.m. for the lighting of the Fire & Ice Tower and performance by stilt walkers, Pick Up Stix. At 11:45 p.m. join The University of Akron’s UA Nuance and guest vocalists as they lead the First Night audience in lifting their spirits – and voices – before counting down to the new year with the FirstMerit Fireworks Show at midnight.
Discover PNC’s Grow Up Great at the Shoppes at Akron Centre
This child oriented venue highlights PNC’s Grow Up Great efforts through the art of imaginative play. Enjoy professional face painting with Punkin & Penny. Celebrate the year of the sheep and learn Chinese character writing with Asian Services in Action. Add your square to the YMCA Peace Quilt. Sing along with Alex Bevan or move to the drum beats of Mame Daiko. Add some bling to your First Night attire with Pat Catan’s Mask Making. This venue is open from 6-9 p.m.
#BetterAkron2015
Stop by the John S. Knight Center from 6-9 p.m. and meet with staff of the Akron Digital Media Center for a quick lesson on how to make and upload videos on your digital device. Then take your knowledge to the street and make a 60 second video at First Night capturing your new year’s wishes for yourself and your city. This is a great activity for kids, teens and adults. Videos loaded to YouTube with #BetterAkron2015 will be collected and displayed at First venues throughout the night.
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. 2014 through Dec. 2015. For $15, enjoy tours, free admission to popular venues, events and theater. A First Night Akron 2015 button is included with the passport. The Downtown Akron Passport has an actual value of $238. 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, Charles C. and Dorathea S. Dilley Fund of Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron, county of Summit, FirstMerit Foundation, 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: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, John S. Knight Center, METRO Regional Transit Authority, Time Warner Cable and The University of Akron.
Silver: Labels & Letters, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation, Pat Catan’s Craft Centers, 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; Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation; Lloyd L. and Louis K. Smith Memorial Foundation and Step2.
Special Friends: Akron Summit Community Action, Inc., Box Creations, 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