aroundkent Magazine Vol 13 2017 by aroundKent Magazine

Vol 13 | 2017

Showcasing Kent and Northeastern Ohio

Computational Thinking A Powerful Way of Thinking

Wick Poetry Center Encouraging New Voices

Angie Haze Project Folk & Worldly Musical Style

Barb

Re co w

www.aroundkent.net

content volume 13 2017

publisher/photographer Matt Keffer 330.221.1274 info@aroundkent.net

art director Susan Mackle

illustrator Chuck Slonaker

contributing writers

Don Abbott Jason Beutel Elizabeth Carney David Hassler Mark Keffer Justin McDonald Dr. Patrick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Malavanh Rassavong Barb Hipsman Springer todd v Paul S. Wang Dr. Heather Wood

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content of any manner is prohibited without written permission. aroundkent accepts no responsibility for solicited materials.

6 Visual Art Showcase 14 Socially Responsible Sweat Shop 18 Computational Thinkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Showcasing Kent and Northeastern Ohio

An Overview

22 The Kent Clarks 26 Dogs Section 28 Memorial Animal Hospital 31 Portage Animal Protective League 32 H ow to Pick the Right Pooch for You; Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital

36 UH Portage Medical Center 38 The Road Less Traveled

Vol 13 | 2017

44 Traveling Stanzas/Wick Poetry Center

18 26 48

48 Turn The Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose at the Akron Art Museum

54 The Snarky Gardener 56 The Angie Haze Project

Cover: Finn The Dog Photography by Matt Keffer

Visual Art

S H O W C A S E

The role of craft is an important part of the work of many contemporary artists. It involves skill and knowledge, with a special concern for materials. While it may be true that a high level of craft itself is not an adequate marker for merit in art, it is also true that when especially well-made objects serve as a means to a substantial artistic end, the results can be particularly rich and meaningful. The three artists featured here achieve such ends in the media of wax and graphite powder sculptures, high-tech weaving, and glass constructions.

K A T E The intricate sculptures of Akron artist Kate Budd are diminutive in scale and possess a magnetic pull on the viewer to observe closely. The forms are finely-crafted, self-contained worlds of associative meanings with implications that lead to calm and contemplative responses. There is a sense of mystery at work as well, due to the sense that what is being observed is at once familiar and alien. Questions arise as to the source of the forms and how they are made. Are these representations of forms with a specific origin? Are they hybrids of some sort? Is the material stone- or steel-like, or something more delicate? These thoughts generally remain suspended in a poetic realm of esthetic appreciation, but perception can be affected by learning that the materials used are most often simply wax and graphite powder. The sculptures can trigger connotative connections both to relics of the past and artifacts of a somewhat futuristic nature. They reference human anatomy and plant biology, functional objects and mineral formations.

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B U D D

dark cowrie wax and graphite powder, 1.5 x 2 x 1.5â&#x20AC;?, 2014

Mark Keffer KSU Class of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;88

dark split seed wax and graphite powder, 1 x 1.25 x 1.5”, 2015

She states: I seek forms that are archetypal and selfcontained in the way of a stone or a piece of fruit. Desire, disease, fecundity and constraint are recurring themes; I worry at them like a dog with a bone. By wrapping, polishing and embellishing, I make physical metaphors for these ideas and give in gracefully to the human desire for artifice and decoration. Creating a positive by removing material is both magical and challenging; wax is a pleasure to

ruff wax and graphite powder, 0.5 x 1.75 x 1.75”, 2014

work—cool, responsive, translucent. As I carve, form and meaning shift. Knowledge, intuition, imperfect memory and imagination coalesce into hybrids that inhabit a zone between the organic and functional, the psychologically charged and the coolly neutral. Kate Budd was born in Nairobi, Kenya. She received a BA degree (with honors) from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Scotland (1990) and an MFA in sculpture from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (1995). Her work has been exhibited widely, including solo shows at

the Akron Art Museum; William Busta Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio; Rudolph Poissant Gallery, Houston Texas; and Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. Her work has been reviewed in Art in America, New Art Examiner, and Sculpture magazines and she has received three Individual Excellence Awards from the Ohio Arts Council. She taught at the University of Texas, Austin and is currently Associate Professor of Art at the Myers School of Art, University of Akron. www.katebudd.net

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Visual Art J A N I C E

S H O W C A S E

L E S S M A N - M O S S

“Pattern, as an abstract system, is a source for meaning in my work. With roots in nature, culture, and process, networks of motifs provide beauty, function, and a platform for poetic association.” Janice Lessman-Moss’ description of her work concisely conveys an unusually rich and varied artistic practice. The awe-inspiring array of creations in the medium of weaving— over many years of effort—is wonderfully balanced by a resolute sense of focus throughout her body of work. It is this committed exploration over time, not random jumps in direction, that have produced such a distinctive and vivid array of work. The images that result from her involved processes are essentially abstract, but do have connotations of natural phenomena from the observable world. Weather patterns and the experience of weather come to mind, but this is only one limited reading. Other works seem to highlight pure emotional or psychological states, in spaces that vary from compressed to virtually limitless. The tone of the work can range from serene and contemplative to highly active, even agitated, in differing degrees. As an insight into part of her process, LessmanMoss explains:

#431 ©7/13, 74 x 69”, cotton, wool, digital jacquard, power loom woven, hand made felt

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#446, Re-echo ©8/15, 73 x 66.5”, cotton, wool, digital jacquard, power loom woven, hand made felt

The power loom jacquards are woven on large industrial looms made accessible to the artist through digital technology. The loom and the personal computer can be linked through coded/programmed information generated through the use of certain image based software. Pixels viewed on the computer monitor correspond to the intersection (matrix) of threads on the loom and, as such, provide the blueprint for the woven output. A palette of color or value is determined through the calculation of weave structure formulas which

#453, Local Journey: Dry Air ©6/16, 57.5 x 57.5”, silk, linen, cotton, digital jacquard, hand woven TC2 loom, painted warp, shifted weft ikat

represent the interlacement of threads on the loom. The nuance of detail is a distinctive attribute of these weavings with high thread count. Janice Lessman-Moss received a BFA degree from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University (1979) and an MFA from the University of Michigan (1981). She is currently Professor of Crafts/Textile Art at Kent State University. Her work has been exhibited in England, Poland, Japan, Israel, China, The Netherlands, Korea, and extensively in the US, including solo shows

at the Museum of Fine Art and Culture, Las Cruces, New Mexico; the Kent State University Museum; William Busta Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio; and Marcus Gordon Gallery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, among others. Two solo exhibits were held in Lodz, Poland. She has received grants from the Ohio Arts Council on numerous occasions and her work has been featured in national publications including American Craft and Fiberarts Magazine. www.janicelessman-moss.com

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Visual Art B R E N T

S H O W C A S E

K E E

Matrix Series: “Across a Crowded Room...” flame worked borosilicate glass, 39 x 27 x 22”, 2009, Collection of the Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida

The glass sculptures of Brent Kee Young affect our sense of perception and our understanding of functionality. The work in his ongoing Matrix series often features depictions of common objects, but their treatment is such that startling new realities result. A kind of otherworldly surrogate is created in place of the original source. Some of the artist’s intentions are consistent with traditional art making endeavors such as defining form and the role of light, but those serve as a means to an end of magical content: impossibly delicate archetypes of recognizable forms. Young also works in directions that move away, in varying degrees, from the strictly representational into pure abstraction. The original idea regarding the construction of pieces in the Matrix series “came from several observations. One was an exposed root structure of a tree or plant. The other was a pile of rebar building rubble from a razed building. With these images, making forms from that organic matrix was revealed.” He devised a way “to form an organic, interconnected structure of which almost any shape might be realized.” Some of Young’s creations lend themselves to what might be the genesis of stories in the mind of the viewer. Nothing literal

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Y O U N G

Photos by Dan Fox, Lumina

Matrix Series: "Forge...!" flame worked borosilicate glass, 13.5 x 34 x 10”, 2016

is indicated, but rather the forms are loaded with subjective potential. He states: ‘Quest…’ For example, speaks to a narrative that is endemic to the artistic mission, that is to be constantly looking, searching, for ways to communicate ideas through this medium. This piece explains something about myself, what interests me, and hopefully communicates these notions and resonates with the viewer. The objects depicted, often are chosen for being iconic in a familiar sense and in being everyday, can reach a wider audience. The work asks us all to see things differently. Brent Kee Young is Professor Emeritus, Cleveland Institute of Art, where he was head of the glass department for over forty years. In 1990—1991, he developed the glass program at Aichi University of Education in Kariya, Japan. He received a BA, with glass concentration, from San Jose State University (1971) and an MFA from the State University of New York at Alfred University (1973). His work has been shown extensively and is in many permanent museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Renwick Gallery; Museum of Fine Art, Boston; the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Georgia; the Cleveland Museum of Art; and the Hokaido Museum of Art, Sapporo, Japan.

Matrix Series: "Quest...." flame worked borosilicate glass, 14 x 39 x 11”, 2014

brentkeeyoung.com

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Barb Hipsman Springer

The red apple glistens from the cart in Kent’s Haymaker Farmers’ Market. A few steps away, another table is piled high with spinach, sprouts, leeks, and dozens of other vegetables, just calling out to be combined into a nutritious meal. But it may as well be miles away for some who are having a hard time making ends meet, let alone get fresh foods on the table.

Socially Responsible

SWEAT SHOP

But with a little help from Kent “sewists,” anyone qualifying for food stamps through the Ohio Direction Card can get essentially, two apples for the price of one. Or spinach, sprouts, leeks, or any other healthy food at the Kent Haymaker Farmers’ Market.

Lonnie Hawks carefully guides materials for another bag through her sewing machine. Photography courtesy of Brad Bolton

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Started by volunteers, the Socially Responsible Sweatshop (SRS) of Kent doubles the food credits those in need have to spend, up to $10 a week through “Produce Perks.” And all that Direction Card holders need to do is ask—or be reminded—at the check-in table at the Market where they swipe their benefits card.

But what’s with the “sweatshop” moniker of this group? The SRS of Kent started out as just one wellknown community activist trying to figure out how to help low-income area residents stretch their food budget. Mary Ann Kasper was helping former market manager Kelly Ferry check in clients who wanted to use the state’s program to buy vegetables and fruits at the market. “But what I couldn’t get my head around was that these people really, really could use more than the $7 the state gives them per month,” Kasper said. Women, infants and children participants get only $7 a month to use for fruits and vegetables. That has to be taken in light of the fact that in Kent City Schools, nearly half the students qualify for free or reduced meals, a barometer of poverty nationally. Kasper listened as people approached the market table and figured out that it was hard, not just financially, but emotionally for individuals or families to come to the desk to use their card. “We want everyone to feel just great about buying good food and wanted to help them get more,” Kasper said. At the start, it was just a little hand-sewn bag Kasper or her first volunteer, Jennifer Wang, handed to the family or person to keep their wooden “tokens” in, week-to-week. “Just that little offering and a smile had the clients coming back, knowing they were welcomed,” Kasper said. “We knew right from the start, this is something we can do

week-to-week to help fight poverty right here in Kent and in the area.” Haymaker Farmers’ Market already offers a table through the Kent State University Campus Kitchen program that shows how to make meals from foods offered by the vendors, including recipes and taste tests. But Kasper and Wang wanted to do more. Over a few months in the summer of 2013, Kasper—and now a growing group—birthed the SRS of Kent, designed to recycle unwanted fabric into items that could be sold locally, either to individuals or to area shops. And with the Sweatshop came Produce Perks, which went from monthly to weekly. “In 2016, the group raised more than $3,000 to offer the weekly Produce Perks match to

community members struggling with food insecurity,” said Andrew Rome, the manager of the Haymaker Market. “Looking around, we came to the idea that Kent was becoming a magnet for yoga studios,” Kasper said. Wang agrees. “So then, we looked at our first product, a very sturdy An Ohio Direction Card gets swiped and a client’s hand-made bag waits yoga bag, usually made for special tokens that mean more Produce Perks, fresh food for less! out of upholstery fabric,” said Wang, who often is storage areas for future use. All machines are seen at Saturday market selling the Sweatshop donated from friends of the Sweatshop and are wares. The yoga bags sold quickly at the market fixed through Rich Porter in Garrettsville. and at studios. “We knew we had some ‘sewers’ around, people who were always looking for a little project and to enjoy some ‘sisterhood’,” Kasper said.

Gould, long retired, was a willing Sweatshop organizer, but members are all ages, including an 11-year old, and at all stages of work/life.

“What we didn’t know is just how many things we could come up with to raise cash for the Produce Perks.”

“How can you resist? This is fighting poverty with sisterhood and fun! We develop new products and some of us knit small items and there you have it—cash for Produce Perks,“ Gould said.

Eye pillows are made of linen cloth and filled with locally grown herbs, like Kasper’s homegrown lavender and flax. Those started getting attention. Then, there were special requests for a few dollars—a mending job here or there. Any donations from those go back into the SRS Produce Perks fund. Catnip toys made of felt also are popular sales.

Mary Ann Kasper and Jennifer Wang wait for customers at the Haymaker Market.

Over the next summer, the group had gelled and were invited by Carol Gould to move their operations out of Mary Ann Kasper’s kitchen into Gould’s basement. There, they set up between 3—12 sewing machines, cutting tables, stuffing areas and jimmied hundreds of pounds of donated fabric into her garage and

Needing even more space while Carol travels, December found the SRS moving to Ree in Stitches, a home on Water Street that is owned by Ree, who sews for various commercial firms. Her second floor was open and she and Mary Ann Kasper, who has been called the SRS manager, teacher and inspirer, moved all the machines and extra fabric into the space. So why “Socially Responsible” in the name? Kasper said it aptly fits part of the group’s work—buying or taking “socially irresponsible” Continued on page 16

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Continued from page 15 t-shirts out of the market at thrift stores. Actually, her husband, Gary came up with it. While she was thrifting other things, he found t-shirts that projected hateful or misogynist ideas. The SRS uses those to create “tarn”— torn material that makes wonderful pull strings for the yoga bags. or they are shredded and used to fill meditation pillows. Most of those products are bought at One Love Yoga in downtown Kent.

funding has a seasonal cap and the SRS fundraising helps extend the benefit to reach the community year-round. “One year, we went through the non-profit national money by June and didn’t get more until March,“ Kasper said. Not everyone can sew, but SRS can use cash donations, as well. It uses some of the funds it raises from selling SRS branded t-shirts

But members, now numbering in the dozens, say the group represents more than friends raising money. “This is kindness,” said Wang. “In our current divisive situation, we have the feeling of community around the common theme of meeting others’ basic needs for good food. We could do this fun thing, sewing, assembling, selling—and help others— while enjoying each others’ company, too. Agreeing, Kasper added, “We accept people for who they are and frankly, that kindness comes back to us tenfold.“ Recently, the group is focusing on defining its mission and establishing a website. It is a 501c3 under a group called Shared Vision with a PayPal account. The farmers’ market has received support for the $10 match from a USDA FINI grant, the Wholesome Wave national nonprofit, and the OSU Extension Office. But the

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But the giving doesn’t stop there in this greater market community. SRS has members who also belong to the Portage County Master Gardeners. That group will again offer herb and vegetable plants for summer gardens, along with advice throughout the summer. And members will plant extra in their gardens for the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services. Kent State University Campus Kitchen who provide food to area shelters, now collects produce and bread products from vendors at the end of each Haymaker Market and re-distributes the leftovers to area shelters. T he SRS of Kent, Ohio, was given the 2016 Green Enterprise Award by the Portage Park District Foundation, Portage County Environment Conservation Award Benefit.

embers (in no particular order): M Carolyn Schlemmer, Laureen Caner and Stella, Aida and Roscoe, Carol Gould, Jennifer Wang, Mary Ann Kasper, Laura Davis, Lonnie Hawks, Jennifer Gregg, Photography courtesy of Andrew Rome Guenveur Burnell, Jane Smith, to sharpen scissors, tend to the sewing Jean Colosetti, Lynne Jeon, Mary Lou Holly, machines that always need something, Wendy Packer, Sandy Eaglen, Jane Preston purchase custom labels for the handmade Rose, Margaret Swauger, Sherry Rose, Mara items, and for more fabric. DeMattia, Ree in Stitches, Claudia Miller, Brad This Winter finds the group producing custom Bolton, Suzanne Frank, Sunny Delaluz, Helen Burdette, Erin LaBelle, Barb Hipsman Springer, upholstered folding chairs. Gould brought Heather Waltz, Mary Anne Ritchie, Margie back yards of brightly colored fabric from Ritchie, Rachel Wagner and Hannah Flannery Africa that will offer interesting designs for the chairs.

aroundKent Landmarks

Buy local, unique prints, and support the community and those in need of a little help. Now that’s a gift worth giving! • Quality Prints Available Online • They Make Great Gifts!

• Framing Available at McKay Bricker • A Portion of the Proceeds Goes to Help Feed our Community

Visit aroundkent.net to order prints.

Computational Thinkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; An Overview

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Computing Devices; Old and New

Paul S. Wang

Why Computational Thinking? Digital computers brought us the information revolution. People in the information age must deal with computers, smartphones, and the Internet. Information Technology (IT) brought us tremendous benefits as well as brand new challenges. For example, we can ask Google to answer any questions we may have on just about any subject and usually get answers instantly. The Internet spans the globe and brings all parts of the world within instant reach. Yet, it also allows hackers to steal our information or worse, to hold our computer or sensitive data for ransom. As modern citizens, we need to adopt IT techniques and products effectively, and to wisely mitigate the risks brought by the information highway. That's where computational thinking (CT) can come into play.

What Is Computational Thinking? Computational thinking is the mental skill to apply fundamental concepts and reasoning, derived from modern computers and IT, in all areas, including day-to-day activities. CT is thinking inspired by an understanding of IT, its advantages, limitations, and potential problems. CT also encourages us to keep asking questions such as “What if we automate this?” “What instructions and precautions would we need if we were asking young children to do this?” “How efficient is this?” and “What can go wrong with this?” CT can expand your mind, help you solve problems, increase efficiency, avoid mistakes,

and anticipate pitfalls, as well as interact and communicate better with others, people or machines. CT can make you more successful and even save lives!

Who Promotes Computational Thinking? Back in March 2006, Dr. Jeannette M. Wing published an article on computational thinking in The Communications of ACM and boldly advocated it as a skill for everyone: Computational thinking builds on the power and limits of computing processes, whether they are executed by a human or by a machine. Computational methods and models give us the courage to solve problems and design systems that no one of us would be capable of tackling alone. ... Computational thinking is a fundamental skill for everyone, not just for computer scientists. To reading, writing, and arithmetic, we should add computational thinking to every child's analytical ability. Just as the printing press facilitated the spread of the three Rs, what is appropriately incestuous about this vision is that computing and computers facilitate the spread of computational thinking. Within the academic research community, there have been significant discussions on computational thinking, what it encompasses, and its role inside the education system. In educational circles, there is an increasing realization of the potential importance of learning to think computationally. According to a recent report on computational thinking by

the National Research Council of The National Academies (NRC): ... Computational thinking is a fundamental analytical skill that everyone, not just computer scientists, can use to help solve problems, design systems, and understand human behavior. ... Computational thinking is likely to benefit not only other scientists but also everyone else. ...

A Powerful Way of Thinking OK great, CT is important. But what exactly are the concepts and methodologies it provides? Here is a list of some main aspects of CT: • Simplification through Abstraction Abstraction is a technique to reduce complexity by ignoring unimportant details and focusing on what matters. For example, a driver views a car in terms of how to drive it and ignores how it works or is built. A user cares only about which mouse button to click and keys to press and generally overlooks how computers work internally. • Power of Automation Arranging matters so they become routine and easy to automate. Working out a systematic procedure, an algorithm, for carrying out recurring tasks can significantly increase efficiency and productivity. • Iteration and Recursion Ingeniously reapplying the same successful techniques and repeatedly executing the same set of steps to solve problems. Continued on page 20

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Each Upper Bead Equals 5, Lower Bead 1

Continued from page 19

• An Eye and a Mind for Details Small things, such as characters in uppercase versus lowercase or with an extra space, can make all the difference. Any piece of data may be subject to interpretation, depending on the context. You need eyes of an eagle, mind of a detective, and a careful and meticulous approach. Overlooking anything can and will lead to failure. • Precision in Communication Try telling the computer to do what you mean and not what you say ;-). You need to spell it out precisely and completely. Don't spare any details. Vagueness is not tolerated. And contexts must be made explicit. • Logical Deductions “Cold logic” rules. Causes will result in consequences, whether you like

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it or not. There is no room for wishful or emotional thinking. Don't we all wish some of this seeps into such things as our politics? •B reaking out of the Box A computer program executes code to achieve any task. Unlike humans, especially experts, it does not bring experience or expertise to bear. Coding a solution forces us to think at a dumb computer's level (as if talking to a one-year-old) and get down to basics. This way, we will naturally need to think outside any “boxes.” • Anticipating problems Automation relies on preset conditions. All possible exceptions must be met with prearranged contingencies. Ever said “I'll take care of that later”? Because there is a chance you might forget, according to CT, you should have a contingency plan

ready in case you do forget. Otherwise, you have set a trap for yourself. These are just some of the main ideas. CT offers you many more concepts and ways to think that can be just as, if not more, important. In the author's new textbook From Computing to Computational Thinking (CRC Press 2015), a new word is defined. Definition: computize, verb. To apply computational thinking. To view, consider, analyze, design, plan, work, and solve problems from a computational perspective. When considering, analyzing, designing, formulating, or devising a solution/answer to some specific problem, computizing

r Bead 1

becomes an important additional dimension of deliberation.

So, let's computize at multiple levels and do our best to get 20/20 hindsight beforehand.

Where to Apply CT?

CT Success Story

People say “hindsight is 20/20.” But, since automation must deal with all possible applications in the future, we must ask “what if” questions and take into account all conceivable scenarios and eventualities. Let's look at a specific example. Hurricane Sandy was one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes in US history. Thank goodness, it didn't hit Kent or Ohio, for that matter.

A loop in a program is a construct that applies the same set of steps repeatedly until a certain goal is achieved. This technique is known as iteration in CT.

With CT at multiple levels, dare we say that many of the disasters from Sandy might have been substantially reduced? • The New York City subway entrances and air vents are at street level. What if streets are flooded? What if flood water enters the subway? • What if we need to fight fires in a flooded area? Do we have fire boats in addition to fire trucks? Do we have firefighters trained for boats? • Most portable emergency power generators run on gasoline. What happens if gas runs out and gas stations are flooded? • What if the drinking water supply stops? Can we provide emergency water from fire hydrants? In that case, can we use a mobile contraption that connects to a hydrant, purifies the water, and provides multiple faucets? • What if emergency power generators are flooded? Should we waterproof generators in designated at-risk buildings? • What if cell towers lose power? How hard is it to deploy airborne (drone?) cell relays in an emergency? • What if we simulate storm damage with computer modeling and find out ahead of time what to prepare for?

Iteration of a process has led to the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique in molecular biology to generate thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence. Developed by Dr. Kary Mullis in 1983, PCR is now indispensable in medical and biological research and applications, including DNA testing and genetic fingerprinting. The impact of automated PCR is huge and far-reaching. Mullis was awarded the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his part in the invention of PCR. In recounting his invention, Dr. Mullis wrote in his book Dancing Naked in the Mind Field: I knew computer programming, and from that I understood the power of a reiterative mathematical procedure. That's where you apply some process to a starting number to obtain a new number, and then you apply the same process to the new number, and so on. If the process is multiplication by two, then the result of many cycles is an exponential increase in the value of the original number: becomes 4 becomes 8 becomes 16 becomes 32 and so on. If I could arrange for a short synthetic piece of DNA to find a particular sequence and then start a process whereby that sequence would reproduce itself over and over, then I would be close to solving my problem.

and his computational thinking to thank for the invention. And what a significant invention! The New York Times described it as “highly original and significant, virtually dividing biology into the two epochs of before PCR and after PCR.” Still need more convincing? Just ask the Cleveland Clinic, the Innocence Project, any guiltless person freed from jail, or people finding their genealogical roots, through DNA testing.

Conclusion In this brief overview, it is impossible to cover the many aspects of Computational Thinking and how it can help individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. We may continue with a series of articles in the future. For now, it suffices to say that, as history demonstrates time and again, a society, that is better educated in the next dominating technology and that can merge a new way of thinking into different disciplines, will have a significant competitive edge over others. A Ph.D. and faculty member from MIT, Paul Wang became a Computer Science professor (Kent State University) in 1981, and served as a Director at the Institute for Computational Mathematics at Kent from 1986 to 2011. He retired in 2012 and is now professor emeritus at Kent State University.

The book From Computing to Computational Thinking can be ordered at: computize.org

At the time of the invention, the “polymerase" and other related DNA duplication techniques were already known. It was the “chain reaction" part that was missing. Well, we have Dr. Mullis

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T H E K E N T C L A R K S KENT STATE UNIVER

T Justin MacDonald Logo Created by Cory Sutter

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he audience goes silent. You walk on to the stage with the members of your group. Your thoughts race as you review every spot on the stage you must touch, every note you must sing, and every movement you must make. The lights gleam in your eyes, preventing you from seeing the hundreds of people in front of you. You hear nothing but a single note and the perfect synchronization of breaths around you.

UNIVERSITY’S FIRST AND OLDEST A CAPPELLA GROUP All Photography Courtesy of Kendall Hall

You recall the months of preparation for the next twelve minutes. These next twelve minutes will define the rest of your year. This is competitive collegiate a cappella. A cappella is a style of music performance sung by voices only. Collegiate a cappella has recently skyrocketed in popularity after the award-winning movie “Pitch Perfect” swept the box office in 2013. College groups perform

and compete all over the nation, using their voices, showmanship, and musicality to gain international recognition.

come from several different majors such as musical theater, architecture, communication studies, and many more.

The Kent Clarks are Kent State University’s first and oldest a cappella group. The Kent Clarks are a co-ed group that consists of full-time students at Kent State University. The group holds auditions throughout the year, and usually has 18—22 members. These members

Since their founding in 2011 by Stephen Cox, an original member of a collegiate a cappella group at Vanderbilt University, the Vanderbilt Variations, the Kent Clarks have been performing on campus and across the nation, setting

Continued on page 24

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Continued from page 23 them apart from the group they were six years ago. Some notable performances include, but are not limited to, singing for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in 2014, singing for NBC’s “Today Show” in 2015, and singing at a Hillary Clinton rally in 2016. Since the formation of the Kent Clarks, three other groups have been created: Flash Harmony, a co-ed group which is now in its third year; Vocal Intensity, a co-ed group which is over a year old; and Momentum, an all-male group that is just starting its first semester. The Kent Clarks’ mission is to perform and compete with a cappella music. They sing at events across campus and all around the Kent area and they hold one large concert at the end of the semester. To prepare for the numerous events, the Clarks rehearse three nights a week. While these performances are fun for the group, the thought on the members’ mind every year is the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCAs). The ICCA, founded in 1996 by award-winning musician Deke Sharon, is a competitive a cappella tournament that hundreds of groups across the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom compete in. The tournament consists of a regional quarterfinal, a regional semifinal, an online wildcard round, and a final round that

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takes place in New York City. Each round consists of about ten groups, and only the highest scoring groups advance. The Clarks have competed in ICCAs for the past three years. They placed third in 2015 and 2016, and they won a special award for outstanding choreography in 2016. In order to advance to semifinals, though, groups at quarterfinals must place in the top two. This has motivated the Clarks for the past year. E ven though the competition takes place in the spring semester, every thought in both fall and spring semester relates to ICCAs, in one way or another. Each song they prepare for their concert is a potential song to place in their twelve minute set, each choreography move and musical arrangement is gauged for audience responses, and every video from the concert is studied in post. Though the Clarks take their rehearsals, performances, and competitions very seriously, they have fun with this group of friends in the

process. They help each other with homework, film videos for their YouTube channel, hang out in their free time, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere that the group creates. In February of 2017, after months of hard work, the Clarks competed for the fifth time in its history. After long nights, and intense pressure, the Clarks, unfortunately, did not make the top two. Though the feeling of defeat still leaves a bitter taste in their mouth, no hard work goes unrewarded. The Clarks are improving every year. They are becoming closer and identifying themselves more and more individually and collectively. So, when you step on the stage with the Clarks, the noise you hear around you is not just synchronized breaths; it is not just your team; it is your family. ore information on the Kent Clarks can be M found on their Facebook page at facebook. com/KentClarks, on their YouTube channel at youtube.com/KentClarksAcappella, and on their Twitter at @Kent_Clarks.

aroundKent Magazine Mascot and Guard Dog Panther

DOGS volume 13 | 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ www.aroundkent.net

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Offering nearly 60 Years of Compassionate Caring

MEMORIAL ANIMAL HOSPITAL is a

Jason Beutel

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full-service veterinary practice that strives to offer excellent care. We understand the uniqueness of each pet, and are committed to working with each pet owner to help ensure his or her pet’s overall wellness. We approach each client as an individual with a unique set of needs and circumstances. You and your pet will be treated with the care, compassion, and professionalism, which are critical to the friendship, trust, and bond we hope to build. Our highly-trained staff and state-of-the-art facility are important to the care we provide, but that is only part of our story. We advocate for our patients through client education and identifying a client’s expectations to yield the best possible outcome for both. We strive to care for our patients compassionately using preventative wellness care, education, diagnostic tools, and surgery.

We continue to constantly assess, through self-examination and client feedback, possible new services and directions to pursue. In the last three years, we have made many changes to our services offered. Having been entrusted for nearly 60 years to provide quality veterinary care for the Greater Kent/Ravenna area, Memorial Animal Hospital has recently been able to expand its services with the opening of its new facility in December of 2013. Our boarding facility, The Bed and Biscuit opened within a year of moving into our new building. By choosing The Bed and Biscuit as your boarding facility, you can rest assured

that your beloved friend will receive the same level of care and personal attention for which Memorial Animal Hospital has become known. Being an extension of Memorial Animal Hospital, we are able to provide additional medical expertise and services that will not only enhance your petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-being, but also provide you with peace of mind. By listening to the wants and needs of our clients, Memorial Animal Hospital now also offers professional behavior and training

services. One of our long-tenured team members is CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). Group puppy and foundation classes, as well as private one-on-one sessions, are offered on-site. On request, individual home sessions and assessments are also available.

Luxury Dog Runs

Continued on page 30

AAHA Accredited: Champions for Excellent Care

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Continued from page 29

Basic obedience to behavior correction training is offered.

Certified by the American Association of Feline Practitioners means we have gone the extra mile to make our feline patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit as pleasant as possible. What exactly does this mean? We use special handling techniques, calming pheromones, a lobby with an area reserved for cats and specific cat-only rooms: no doggie odors there! We are very proud of where we have come from, where we are, and where we are going! We are confident that you and you pets will find a home at Memorial Animal Hospital, where your family becomes a part of ours.

Standard Dog Runs

Group classes are fun and positive.

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Portage Animal Protective League Written by Chalan Lowry Executive Director Portage Animal Protective League

ortage Animal Protective League (APL) is a nonprofit Humane Society servicing all of Portage County. Portage APL is a private, non-profit organization, dedicated to the advancement of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. In support of the mission: we shelter and find safe homes for injured, abused, surrendered and abandoned animals, uphold and enforce all animal cruelty laws, reduce pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs, and educate the community on the social responsibility associated with pet ownership. We envision an educated and caring community that recognizes and respects the rights of animals to receive humane and compassionate treatment and actively supports efforts to ensure their welfare.

Kent Celebrity Dogs: Buddy and Clyde (Clyde is on the left.)

Portage APL rescues, rehabilitates and finds home for almost 1000 animals each year. All animals receive vaccines, preventatives for fleas and ticks, are checked for typical diseases and parasites, spayed and neutered, and many are microchipped. Some animals come injured or abused and may have additional medical histories. Adoption fees for cats are $65 and dogs are $125. For more information please visit www.portageapl.org

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Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital at 7303 State Route 43 in Kent

Dr. Heather Wood

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How to Pick the Right Pooch for You 32

hen you are looking for a new pup for the first time, there are many questions that you may have, but may not think of until after that puppy in the window has tugged those heart strings and the new edition to your family is sitting on your lap in the car going home. Now that Fido has become part of the family, he or she needs stuff. Thoughts of dog toys, beds, a crate, food, and usually, lastly, a veterinarian race through your head while en route to your home. Then panic sets in, so you detour to the local pet store. Toys, food, bed, a crate, perhaps make the panic list while you are standing in

the store holding your new pup, then the help comes … If this is a scenario that seems all too real, you have made some critical errors. The key to getting a pooch and having a successful integration into your family is planning. (We will get back to this later.) So with all the different breeds, mixed breeds, and designer breeds out there, what is the right one for you? Well, take a long look at your life style. Ask questions like: Where do you live? (house, apartment, condo) Do you have a yard? Is the yard fenced? Do you live on a busy street? Are you in the city, or out in a rural area and do you have access to parks or sidewalks? Do you want to get out and go on walks, or perhaps turn the pup loose in a field, or maybe just want a friend on the couch? Lots of questions!

Pick a breed or combination of breeds that fits your lifestyle and what you want to do with your new friend. For example, if you live in an apartment and have a relatively busy life, you probably don’t want to get a Springer Spaniel, Labrador, Beagle, or Great Dane. The Springer Spaniel and Beagle are hunting dogs and will need to have access to lots of exercise. Being confined to an apartment and not getting enough exercise could result in undesirable behaviors (anxiety, hyperactivity) and eventually, health problems like obesity. Smaller breeds, like Poodles, Pomeranians, or Chihuahuas might be good choices for this scenario. Now, if you have a house or bigger apartment and don’t mind getting out and Continued on page 34

Four Year Old Black Labrador Retriever Scharley and Dr. Heather Wood.

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Continued from page 33 taking a good walk every day, a Retriever, Terrier, or Boxer-type breed might fit your situation better. The point is to plan and get some good advice from an educated and appropriately trained animal professional. This last sentence is the key. Remember from the beginning; now let’s talk planning. Who would be someone that has appropriate training and education in the matters of all things dog related? Well, at the top of that list would be your local veterinarian, not Google, or Dr. Google, and probably not, the young person working, part-time retail, in the pet store. He or she will take full advantage of

selling you all the stuff you need last minute when you are standing there in a panic with your new family member. Number one on your list of things to do when looking for a pooch is establish a relationship with your local veterinarian. They have been educated in all the areas of your new pup’s health, from nutrition to preventative care. Ask your veterinarian what breeds would mesh well with your lifestyle and current living condition. Nutrition is a key component to your dog’s health; don’t buy the hype with the fad diets that use all the buzz words, like grain free, raw, raw-infused, gluten free, all natural, etc. These are all terms and diets that are geared towards

human fad diets; they have no relevance or scientific basis in canine health. Your veterinarian isn’t going to sell you a brand of food; they are going to recommend a food that is going to be beneficial to your pup’s health. Please remember that your local veterinarian is there to help you and your new pup through all life stages; puppy to adult to senior to the final day. Proper nutrition, vaccinations, and preventative care will ensure that you and your pup will have a good, long, healthy life together. Build a relationship with your local veterinarian, trust their expertise, and allow them to help you plan for the new furry family member.

Dog Photos Make the Best Wall Art Spring Special

• Up to one hour session • 10 4 x 6 prints • 1-8 x 10 print • 5 images resized for web

$125 plus tax email or call to set up a time:

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Written by Malavanh Rassavong

UH Portage Medical Center Now a SCPC Accredited Chest Pain Center University Hospitals Portage Medical Center received its full Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) in December of 2016.

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, with 600,000 people dying annually of heart disease. More than five million Americans visit hospitals each year with chest pain. SCPC’s goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate of these patients by teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a possible heart attack, reduce the time that it takes to receive treatment, and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment. To become an Accredited Chest Pain Center, UH Portage Medical Center engaged in rigorous evaluation by SCPC for its ability to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. As an Accredited Chest Pain Center, UH Portage Medical Center has proven to offer a higher level of expertise in caring for patients with heart attack symptoms, including those experiencing STEMI (STElevation Myocardial Infarction)—a serious

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heart attack caused by a blockage in one of the heart’s major arteries.

Center demonstrates expertise in the following areas:

By achieving SCPC’s Chest Pain Center Accreditation status, UH Portage Medical

• I ntegrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system

UH Portage Medical Center’s Comprehensive Heart Services and Specialties: Cardiac Rehabilitation Calcium Score Testing Acute Myocardial Infarction Interventions (Angioplasty/Stenting) Aneurysm Repair Cardiac Catheterization Echocardiography Peripheral Vascular Disease Atrial Fibrillation and other Arrhythmias Cardiovascular Imaging (Cardiac CT) Cardiac Stress Testing Electrophysiology Heart Failure Treatment

•A ssessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly • E ffectively treating patients at low risk for acute coronary syndrome and no assignable cause for their symptoms •C ontinually seeking to improve processes and procedures • E nsuring the competence and training of Accredited Chest Pain Center personnel •M aintaining organizational structure and commitment •C onstructing a functional design that promotes optimal patient care • S upporting community outreach programs that educate the public to promptly seek medical care if they display symptoms of a possible heart attack

Thomas Conner, Ambulatory Services Director; Anjan Gupta, MD, Interventional Cardiologist; Nicholas Reynolds, Quality and Chest Pain Coordinator; Amy Ostrosky, Cardiology Nurse Manager

“We have processes in place that allow us to treat patients more quickly during the critical window of time when the integrity of the heart muscle can be preserved,” states M. Steven Jones, President, UH Community HospitalsEast. “This accreditation is the direct result of the hard work of our staff and providers and their commitment to continually improve the care continuum for the communities we serve.” By becoming an Accredited Chest Pain Center, UH Portage Medical Center has enhanced the quality of care for the cardiac patient and has demonstrated its commitment to higher standards.

UH Portage’s advanced health care encompasses the entire continuum of care for the heart patient, including an Emergency Department (Level III Trauma Center), Catheterization Lab, Pacemaker Clinic, Heart Failure Clinic, UH Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, community outreach programs, and collaboration with providers and the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). With chest pain, always call 9-1-1. You can ask to be taken to UH Portage Medical Center.

William Moulton did not anticipate the series of events that would occur before leaving his Rootstown home on September 8, 2016 for the doctor’s office. Before heading out, William experienced sudden tingling and weakness in his arm and leg.

Upon arriving in the emergency department of UH Portage Medical Center, William underwent several tests that confirmed his worst fear—he was experiencing a mini-stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA). He was quickly admitted for more tests. On November 2, William underwent a heart catheterization procedure and became the first percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patient at UH Portage, a procedure also known as coronary angioplasty which involves placing a stent in an artery to restore blood flow through narrow or blocked arteries. “I was lucky they caught it in time,” said William. “It was comforting to me that some of the staff are my neighbors. They all treated me right, from the doctors, nurses and everyone.” William finished his last day of cardiac rehabilitation on February 1 and looks forward to an active retirement.

Back row, L to R: Marc Streem, RN; Melissa Andrews, RN; Gretchen Ginn, RN Front row: Tracy Paleudis, RN; Missy Noel, RN; Suzzie Madlem, RT; Anjan Gupta, MD; Itsy Ray, RN; Mary Tsai, RT

“I’m going to miss them,” commented William of the cardiac rehab staff. “They taught me how to eat better and live a healthier life. It’s good to know they have people here that will care for the people of this community like they cared for me. This is now my home away from home and I’ll be back to visit with them.”

Thomas Q. Fulton Jr. Dr. Patrick O’Connor

A recurring feature article in this magazine describes the path creative, interesting people took to get to where they are in life. Most creative people have traveled very interesting paths to get to where they are … usually zig-zagging a lot, shifting artistic gears, retracing steps, exploring new passions, revisiting previous works, failing a whole

How You get to a Place in Life You Never Thought You Would “I swore I would never teach high school when I graduated from college. I felt teaching was a poor man’s profession, in more ways than one. George Bernard Shaw told me of the proverb in Man and Superman: “Those that can, do; those that cannot, teach.” Tom Fulton kept his distance from teaching for many years, soaking up professional experience, lessons, and knowledge as he worked. However, in the end, the teaching profession became his first and most important work, developing an ensemble of likeminded artists for the theatre. Now, 40 years later, it is his real profession.

bunch, and generally bouncing back often. All these experiences are part of their creative profile and serve to motivate and inspire them. This feature tells that story. This version of The Road Less Traveled features Thomas Q. Fulton Jr., creative director of the Academy for the Performing Arts hosted by Chagrin Falls High School.

Author note: If a reader would like to suggest someone to be considered the subject of a future Road, e-mail the publisher at info@aroundkent.net.

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He still acts and directs professionally but wakes up every morning to share his knowledge and experience with young people with the passion to act and to become artists. Next year, 2017—2018, will mark the 10-year anniversary of what has become one of the most recognized high school theatre training programs in the United States.

Learning Lessons to Share— 50 Years in the Making Tom’s interest in theatre began by watching his parents perform in a community theatre they helped found—The Kenston Players. He began his own acting career as a 15-year-old with the Heights Youth Theatre and the WKYC TV East Ohio Fairy Tale Theatre. This would be the start of

“

I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. — Robert Frost four interrelated educational paths Tom would experience for some 50 years. His extensive experience as a theatre practitioner was complemented by formal theatre education in high school and college. He also learned many lessons from the school of hard knocks, transferring them to his theatre work. And, he learned professional teacher education skills as part of a teaching license in Career Technical Education (CTE), which qualified him to teach a high school theatre program. He has developed, through all his experiences, an edge that enables him to be successful in the theatre world as both practitioner and teacher, which requires a thick skin. Tom believes, “my work is my life is my education”. Along with developing his acting skills as a teenager, Tom learned to play and love the guitar, even playing in a few bands: first folk and then rock-n-roll. He also studied and practiced photography, getting pretty good at it as an amateur. Of his many interests as a teenager, he gave up hunting after shooting a squirrel. He didn’t like the feeling he got, so he decided to shoot them with a camera instead.

it, he decided he’d had enough of “trying to be cool” and went to Interlochen Arts Academy in Traverse City, Michigan. For the first time in his life, he was around other artistic young people and finally felt at home, breathing “alien air”. The mission of Interlochen is: Dedicated to the Promotion of World Friendship through the Universal Language of the Arts After Interlochen, it was on to the Southern Methodist University to study theatre. A full schedule of all things theatre immersed Tom in the world he loved most. It was here that all his previous experiences would become connected to the theatre. It was here he would learn a most important lesson: that every

”

experience, every person and every job shape the actor. In particular, it was here he met and studied under Joan Potter. Potter mentored Tom the way she had been mentored at the Actor’s Studio, under the guidance of Lee Strasburg. From Joan, he learned respect for his colleagues, love for the theatre, humility, and the recognition that process is everything and destination or product is irrelevant. He learned that theatre is “like melting snow”. Joan died five years ago. But she is still with Tom “in my head, urging me to commit, define, let go, and humble myself so that I may serve the play— and each moment I have with those I love. “ Continued on page 40

Richard III by William Shakespeare Directed by Tom Fulton

Tom was submitted to much ridicule in high school because he wanted to act and sing, which were considered “sissy” for a boy. Also, he worked hard at trying to be an athlete (football and basketball), but mostly because that’s what others told him he should be doing. He wanted his dad to be proud of him. After three years of

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Continued from page 39 Tom has had different jobs (many part-time) over the years, in the spirit of supporting himself as a “working actor”. He painted houses, did framing on construction crews, built furniture, did some plumbing, and even worked as a loan collector (“the worst job I ever had”). He also taught himself graphic design and worked web-design positions at John Carroll and Case Western Reserve universities while teaching theatre at both. His theatre skills helped him in many of these jobs and he learned valuable employability skills from them which he has used in the theatre. Tom has learned that surviving as an artist places remarkable challenges in front of you. The theatre gave him employability skills that he has found transferrable to nearly any job. Creativity is a requirement and with an entrepreneurial spirit, you can do most anything.

So what is Career Technical Education (CTE)? CTE takes experienced practitioners and brings them into schools to teach their careers to high school students. The teachers work on their teaching licenses while they actually teach. Thousands of Ohio CTE teachers, over the years, have been prepared through this path. Tom completed his teaching licensure coursework as part of master’s degree at Kent State University. CTE programs are founded on the principles of the European apprenticeship system for preparing people for occupations. Some graduates go right into the workforce, some go to community or four-year colleges, others go in the military, and some even start their own businesses. In recent years, the programs have expanded from more traditional programs such as culinary arts, carpentry, and welding

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to contemporary programs like athletic training, interactive media, and performing arts. Ohio and other states have dozens of CTE programs in a wide range of occupational areas. For example, in Ohio, there are approximately 120,000 students in grades 9—12 in CTE programs. About 6,000 of those students are enrolled in the arts and communications programs, which includes performing arts. Students at the Academy are part of a group of 11 schools in Northeast Ohio that share CTE programs through the ExcelTech consortium hosted at Mayfield High School. Any student from the 11 school districts can attend the academy by passing the entrance audition. More details on the consortium are available at www.mayfieldschools.org/ ExcelTECCCareerTechnicalPrograms.

performances, from selling tickets, to building sets, making props, and controlling lighting and sound. His range of experiences include all genres of theatre, from tragedy to musical comedy. His heart, however, belongs to Shakespeare and he believes and practices “If you can do Shakespeare, you can act in anything”. In addition to everything associated with performances, Tom has been an influential leader in theatre. His leadership is evident in starting regional theatre companies, such as Center Repertory Theatre, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, Cleveland Theatre Company, and the Professional Alliance of Cleveland Theatres. He was also director of the Fairmount Center for the Arts, as well as a leader in the Actor’s Equity Association.

Real World Experience— Authentic Learning

The Academy for the Performing Arts— Sharing Lessons Learned

This non-traditional approach to teacher preparation, based on real-life experience, appealed to Tom rather than the traditional approach most teachers take. Tom has taught many lessons over the years to hundreds of actors. It seems like Tom has been teaching all his life … maybe he just never realized it. Much of his career seems to follow the Chinese Proverb:

Tom’s extensive experience and influential role in theatre led him to direct the Academy, which was established as part of a major theatre renovation at Chagrin Falls High School. His experiences have taught him a great deal about patience, attention to detail, working with others, developing budgets, and managing large groups of people. Since taking the reins at the Academy, his administrative skills have tightened and “For the first time, I believe my ship is tight, and seaworthy.” It is interesting to note that Tom had approximately 40 years in his profession when he started the Academy.

It is the teacher’s job to open the door; it is the student’s job to go through the door.

Tom brings his extensive experience in virtually all aspects of theatre; locally, regionally, and nationally to his students. He has worked as a director, actor, producer, and a teacher of acting. He has done everything associated with

The Academy is essentially a college level program in a high school setting. The mission of the Academy is “developing courage, confidence. and self-awareness through mastery of the modern, musical, and classical theatre.” Eight shows are performed annually in the full range of theatre options. Some 100 junior and senior students, five full

time teachers, and numerous part-time and special assignment faculty devote countless hours to performing exemplary theatre. Tom’s teaching staff comes from the industry, just as he has, and everyone continues to work and learn in the “real world” of theatre. Dozens of students have graduated from the Academy and moved on to college theatre programs across the country. Some alums have had major roles on Broadway and television; one currently has the lead role in Book of Mormon national touring group, while others have become playwrights, musicians, stage managers, and designers. One graduate is a performer in the Royal Academy for the Arts in London. Most alums return frequently to continue learning from Tom and his faculty team and to share their lessons with current students. This is all testimony to the extensive experience and network Tom has created. The website for the Academy is http:chagrinacademy.org

The Main Messages There are many, many messages Tom’s wants his student to learn. The art of the theatre is the overarching lesson to be shared. As an

artist, it is impossible to live separate from the creative mindset. Some of the main messages Tom schools his students on are: Not everything is art. Today in pop culture, almost anything passes for art. Much of what is done today is lowering the standard for everything, including art. Tom believes this is unfortunate and wants students to know that there are standards, a history, and an expectation for theatre artists. Art is bigger than the artist. Stanislavski, from My Life in Art, informs us “Love art in yourself; not yourself in art”. Tom teaches that it is always about the art, rather than the individual artist, as vanity “eats like acid at your talent”. It takes time to create timeless art. The artist must be willing to put in the hours and learn the lessons taught by experience. Becoming original is almost an art in itself. For the actor, imitation and comparison will fail every time. Invention and creativity will always win in the end.

Tom Fulton as Potemkin in Celebration at Interlochen Arts Academy 1970

The power of an actor is in being true to yourself. Living in the moment is the key to happiness and great art. Right or wrong, but always true. Everything we experience in life; family, love, anger, grief, joy—all of the fruits of living this short life—become fuel for the fire of creation. Everything is connected and necessary to bring the power of ‘self’ to the stage. Who you are is where your power as an actor comes from. Good actors know themselves. For an artist, everything has a reason.

The Fantasticks Directed by Tom Fulton

Tom has blended all his experience and expertise into an Academy that looks and feels a good bit like Interlochen. It provides an opportunity for the students to learn the lessons Tom and his staff have learned and to grow and love everything about theatre and all the things it teaches. A critical lesson Tom has learned and shares with students through everything he teaches boils down to a popular line from King Lear, which also appears on his e-mail address: Thou must be patient.

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T R A V E L I N G S T A N Z A S Poetry is the means by which a place comes to know itself. And in Kent, Ohio the Wick Poetry Center’s Traveling Stanzas project is giving voice to our town and our region.

David Hassler

Launched in 2009 as a collaboration between Kent State University’s Wick Poetry Center and Professor Valora Renicker’s Visual Communication Design students, Traveling Stanzas pairs poems generated in community writing workshops with graphic designs and disseminates these posters on public transportation throughout Northeast Ohio. Since 2009, Traveling Stanzas has continued to innovate and find new ways to bring poetry to people’s everyday lives, promoting the power of poetry through multi-modal public installations and through its interactive website. The Traveling Stanzas project is born from the belief that poetry is for the people. We turn to poetry to give voice to what is troubling us, to honor what we love, to make sense of our lives, to remember our past, and to commemorate what we’ve lost. The word “stanza,” from Italian, literally means “a small waiting room in a train station.” Indeed, Traveling Stanzas offers people

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moments of pause, pockets of time, with which to slow down and reflect on their lives, their communities, and to participate in a shared creative experience. Through evolving innovative methods and digital platforms, Traveling Stanzas is facilitating creative and healing conversations in such sectors of our communities as education, healthcare, literacy centers, libraries, national parks, museums, social service agencies for refugee and immigrant populations, senior centers, and veteran’s organizations. This past fall, in partnership with the City of Kent, Main Street Kent, and Each + Every design studio, the Wick Poetry Center brought Traveling Stanzas to electrical utility boxes throughout downtown. Seven utility boxes have been covered with Traveling Stanzas poems, written by local schoolchildren and adults, and paired with beautiful illustrations. By pushing an easily accessible audio button housed in

An electrical utility box in downtown Kent featuring Dear Monarch by Mrs. Vesia’s Preschool Class. Design by Alison Farone.

The Traveling Stanzas Map lets users experience community poetry from near and far. It also helps them navigate to and explore poetry in the environment.

a plastic 3D-printed box fabricated by the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, visitors can also listen to the child or adult read his or her poem. The utility boxes project is also connected to Traveling Stanzas displays around the world. By accessing the Traveling Stanzas Poetry Map website (www.travelingstanzasmap.com), users can virtually visit Traveling Stanzas displays wherever they exist, as well as get walking and driving directions to nearby Traveling Stanzas kiosks or installations. This collaborative community arts project contributes to our thriving downtown, and is yet another way that the City of Kent and the University have joined forces to bring art to people’s everyday lives. Currently, with a major, two-year grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Wick Poetry Center is working with Each + Every Design Studio and Kent State College of Communication and Information students to produce Traveling Stanzas: Writing Across Borders. Additionally, student teaching artists from the Wick Poetry Center are engaging the refugee and immigrant populations in

the Akron, Ohio community in a cross-cultural, intergenerational conversation through poetry and graphic design. Working with Project Learn, Urban Vision, and the International Institute of Akron’s (IIA) refugee and immigrant populations, as well as the Akron Public Schools (APS), Wick is offering weekly poetry workshops to encourage people of all ages to share their voice across the divisions of language, age, and culture. A selection of these poems, paired with graphic designs, are currently traveling on Akron Metro and PARTA buses and available as greeting card sets at area businesses. Additionally, a digital, multi-modal traveling exhibit will be created. The exhibit, which will open in Akron at Summit Artspace in January 2018, then tour nationally, will feature large touchscreen displays where users can browse poems and videos, share with others (via email and social media platforms), and submit their own short stanza or poetic lines to an ever-growing digital community poem at each site. Using the newest digital technology to connect

“It reminds us why we fell in love with poetry to begin with, it lights up the darkness of which we have plenty, it brilliantly restores the magic of language and hope and connection.” — NAOMI SHIHAB NYE

Continued on page 46

Wick teaching artist Regis Coustillac leads a workshop with refugee and immigrant children and adults.

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up from Ohio today, that would be jarring, but home is so much more than that. It’s where the people you love are, and it’s where the people you’re willing to love and support will be … Every day I go to teach, whether it’s to Urban Vision or IIA, I come back changed, I come back new. Every day is a growing opportunity.”

Skype conversation with President Beverly Warren in Florence, Italy where she read one of her poems.

Continued from page 45 us to one of our oldest technologies—the written word—Traveling Stanzas: Writing Across Borders celebrates the diverse, cultural identity of our region and will engage a national, civic dialogue through the intimate and inclusive voice of poetry. Kent State English major and Wick teaching artist Regis Coustillac, who has been leading writing workshops with refugee and immigrant children and adults, says that this opportunity has made him think about his own sense of home. “To be able to share my love of this place is one thing,” says Regis Coustillac, “but more than that, it’s taught me about the word home, and the idea of family. If I were to be picked

Superhero by Day Soe Wah, Karen People displaced from Myanmar. Design by Lisa Cook.

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Our Traveling Stanzas project, with a 2-year total budget of $250,000, is currently the largest grant for poetry in our country. We are grateful for the many sponsors, foundations, and individuals in our own community who have helped us raise the $125,000 match for our Knight Foundation grant. Additionally, with sponsorship from the College of Communication and Information, a twosemester environmental design class is engaging undergraduate and graduate students to create the environmental designs of the interactive, digital exhibit.

TeleProductions students are filming and editing short video interviews of our workshop participants. Our Media Sponsor Western Reserve PBS will feature 30-second TV public service announcements in the coming year. In partnership with the Akron Art Museum, we will install two outdoor Traveling Stanzas kiosks in April, 2017 with audio buttons in the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden and celebrate their installation on April 13 with a public reading and reception featuring the refugee and immigrant children and adult writers. And with support from the Kent Free Library Foundation, two outdoor Traveling Stanzas kiosks will be installed in front of the library expanding our evergrowing map. “The arts tell our stories, who we are and where we as a community are going,” says Victoria Rogers, the Knight Foundation’s Vice President of Arts. “Traveling Stanzas is a wonderful example of that. When you watch the videos and read the poems on the site, Northeast Ohio comes alive. And you begin to realize, too, that poetry is a living, breathing force that can both reflect and light up a city. Wick’s project is poetry’s platform, one that has the potential to bring people together through the arts.”

into six languages, and been exhibited in locations around the world, including the Ohio Statehouse, the Tuscan AngloAmerican Festival in Florence, Italy, a multinational War Memorial in Lyon, France, and even a holiday market in Slovakia. “Traveling Stanzas [will be] the most luminous interactive poetry site in the wondrous wide world!” says poet Naomi Shihab Nye, a beloved poet who has taught workshops at Wick and has two poems in the Traveling Stanzas archive. “It honors the voices of the world—all people, all ages. It reminds us why we fell in love with poetry to begin with, it lights up the darkness of which we have plenty, it brilliantly restores the magic of language and hope and connection.” David Hassler is the Director of the Wick Poetry Center. You & I by Linda Zhao, China. Design by Alison Farone.

In addition to the Knight Foundation grant, Traveling Stanzas has been awarded a number of advertising and arts prizes, been translated

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CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS HAVE ACCESS TO UNFATHOMABLE AMOUNTS OF INFORMATION AND IMAGERY, from art history to pop culture, psychology to botany, and from nearby and overseas. Artists working today also have wide freedom to experiment with styles, techniques and subject matter, and to blend traditional art practices with their contemporary views and interpretations of the world. This freedom is reflected in the broad range of perspectives and approaches to art-making among the 51 living artists represented in Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose on view at the Akron Art Museum through May 7. The artists come from around the world, expressing distinctive voices and visions through their work. Each has been featured in the popular art magazine Hi-Fructose, a publication founded by Annie Owens-Seifert and Daniel “Attaboy” Seifert to cover and promote artists and artworks within a recognizable but not easily defined aesthetic. Richly layered narrative imagery, renderings in vivid color or brooding gray tones, stylized figures and imagined creatures are just some of the recurring elements in the magazine and in this exhibition celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Turn the Page offers the opportunity to view lush original works of art, beyond the flat worlds of paper and digital screens where they are most often seen. Though their subjects and styles are radically diverse, all the artists featured in Turn the Page demonstrate mastery of their chosen media. Both new and traditional artistic processes are represented. Skillfully rendered scenes by Mark Ryden, Kehinde Wiley, Jennybird Alcantara, Jean-Pierre Roy, Martin Wittfooth and others embrace the luminous qualities of oil painting, a centuries-old artistic medium. Their imagery reflects their understanding of oil paint’s history while also advancing relevant contemporary concepts. As with his other portraits of anonymous African American subjects,

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Kehinde Wiley’s Philip the Fair references a specific art historical composition, in this case a stained glass window depicting a French king. In using both a medium and composition drawn from centuries-old art, Wiley calls attention to historical disparities between portrayals of whites and people of color and the power structures they indicate.

Elizabeth Carney Assistant Curator

Turn The Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose at the Akron Art Museum Through May 7, 2017 Several artists use traditional media with unexpected twists. Camille Rose Garcia embellishes her acrylic paintings with glitter, as in The Ghost of G Sharp Seven, further dramatizing their intense, acidic color palettes and hinting at dark fairy tales. Wayne White paints humorous sayings, not on blank canvas but over cheaply produced paintings found in thrift stores, commenting on kitsch and the professional art world. A variety of unusual media applications and combinations also appear. Chris Berens applied ink to thin plastic sheets and layered multiple versions of the same images onto canvas to create his dreamlike, soft-focus panorama Half Way There. Brian Dettmer carves into old books with a scalpel, revealing images and text in new juxtapositions. His sculpture Log 2 was crafted from an outdated dictionary. Lisa Nillson uses quilling—a craft technique used by late Renaissance European nuns and monks to decorate holy objects—to recreate cross-

sections of human anatomy, combining scientific analysis, artistic interpretation, and the preciousness of religious reliquaries. Modern technology is important to many artist processes. Wim Delvoye’s 6-foot-long Cement Truck takes the form of a miniature construction vehicle constructed from laser-cut stainless steel; the glittering designs come from European Gothic architecture, displaying high pointed arches and ornate spires. Ray Caesar composes his images of female figures using a 3D modeling software, painstakingly building, posing, coloring and texturing the digital forms like dolls, eventually realizing them as digital ultrachrome prints. A projected video using artist Olek’s signature crochet combines new and traditional craft media, while Tracey Snelling’s Night Alley incorporates moving images and sound into mixed media sculpture. Turn the Page reflects the variety, vibrancy and depth of the contemporary art world. The artwork is beautiful, grotesque, enlightening, disturbing and thought provoking, and speaks to who we are today, especially as our lives become more digitized and globally connected. The exhibition was organized by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach, where it debuted in 2016. Following its showing in Akron, the exhibition travels to the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, California. Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose is organized by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Generous funding is provided by the City of Virginia Beach, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, as well as other MOCA supporters. Its presentation in Akron is supported by Ohio Arts Council, the Calhoun Charitable Trust, Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC and the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. Media sponsorship is provided by Western Reserve PBS and 91.3 The Summit.

The Ghost of G Sharp Seven 2013 Camille Rose Garcia Acrylic and glitter on wood panel 48” x 60” Courtesy of the Artist and Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles Photograph by Karl Puchlik © Camille Rose Garcia

Philip the Fair 2006 Kehinde Wiley Oil and enamel on canvas 112” x 86” Private Collection © Philip the Fair, 2006, Courtesy of Kehinde Wiley Image courtesy of The Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina

Cement Truck 2010 Wim Delvoye Laser-cut stainless steel 32” x 78” x 17” Courtesy of the Artist and Galerie Perrotin © Studio Wim Delvoye

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the Snarky Gardener A DECADE AGO, I BECAME AN ACCIDENTAL GARDENER.

Returning to my native Northeastern Ohio after a 5-year stint in Florida (3 hurricanes in 4 months wears a person down), I moved into a rural duplex in Rootstown. My landlord came by one day to ask if I wanted a garden since he was already out tilling for other tenants. “Uh, sure, I guess,” was my answer. Not exactly a strong commitment, but I figured, “What the heck. It’ll give me something to do.” The only garden experience I really had was recollections of my parents tending our garden, with us children mostly on weeding and poop spreading patrol. With faded childhood memories, I began in earnest, planting the newly prepared soil after a few trips to local garden shops. Purchasing seeds and familiar vegetables starts (tomatoes, peppers, onions, peas, beans, squash,

pumpkins, broccoli, and even turnips), my garden filled out in no time. That is when the “fun” began. The 500 square feet of reclaimed goldenrod and black raspberry claydominated land soon started fighting back. Weeds popped up, soil dried out, some plants grew poorly. All the weeding chores of my youth came back to bite me (literally— brambles and thistles are very, very pokey). I added fencing to keep out my newfound friends (those cold-blooded, pea-eating, predatory bunnies), which, of course, found ways of getting around, as hungry herbivores are bound to do. My first garden was a lot of work, but it also gave me the great feeling of accomplishment. Some veggies grew easily (yeah, green beans), so at least I had something to show for my efforts, besides a sore back, scratches, and less money. Four years ago, after moving to Kent and establishing a much better garden, I decided to start a vegetable gardening blog. The hardest decision to be made was its name. After a few duds (like “What Thyme is It?”), I decided to call it The Snarky Gardener. The first time I heard the term “snarky” was on the TV

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Don Abbott

comedy That 70’s Show. Kitty (the mom) told her son Eric not to be snarky. I instantly looked up the definition (“crotchety, snappish, sarcastic, impertinent, irreverent”) and thought it sounded just like me. I’ve always been sarcastic (especially in my youth), and consider it to be one of my super powers. What I have found over time though is it’s not always easy to be snarky while discussing gardening. I often look over my writing and wonder “Is this snarky enough?” Nobody’s complained so far, but I’m always striving to be better. My primary reason for starting The Snarky Gardener was I wanted to keep people from making the same mistakes I made. There is plenty of gardening information in books and on the Internet, but getting location specific advice is more arduous. My most read blog post is called “Top Ten Best Vegetable Crops to Grow In Northeastern Ohio”. It’s popular because when people are just starting out, they want to know what vegetables to grow in their location

and naturally, ask the all-knowing Google, “What vegetables should I grow in Ohio?” With growing plants, location is everything. You can grow things in California or Florida that you can’t grow here (like citrus), and there are crops that grow better in Ohio (potatoes for instance) than in warmer places. Location is also important in gardening as different locales have different environments. For instance, Northeastern Ohio soil tends to be mostly clay. While clay has its advantages, like holding water and being nutrient rich, it also has its downsides. Clay compacts easily, so if you walk on it, roots will have a tough time penetrating through. I learned through trial and error that any efforts to turn your soil into a dark rich loam (think potting soil) will be rewarded in better growing vegetables. The secret to doing this? Add lots of organic material (leaves, kitchen scraps, straw, wood chips, newspaper). It will take a few years, but the wait is worth it. So my question for you is, “Do you want to grow vegetables this year?” March is the perfect

time to start your planning and learning. You might not know this, but some vegetables can be planted starting in March. Ohio lore says you can plant peas, potatoes, and onions around St. Patrick’s Day. And this time of year is when we start seeing warmer weather. As a bicyclist, I’ve developed a St. Patrick’s Day tradition of riding as temps seem to always be around 65 degrees. I’m not one of those crazy winter cyclists who go out in below freezing weather. Less than 45 degrees means I’m staying home. If this is the year you start growing veggies, there are plenty of resources for those of us who live and work in Kent (are we called Kentans or Kenters or Kent dwellers?). One great place to learn is the Kent Free Library. Did you know they have a seed library which allows you to check out seeds like you do books? Also, I give gardening talks at the library through my group “Kent Food Not Lawns”. My “Beginning Vegetable Gardening” class is held on April 18th at 6:30pm. Spaces are limited and registration is requested, so please call the library at (330) 673-4414 after March 21st

to reserve your spot. And, of course, there’s my blog— thesnarkygardener.com—and my recently released book “The Snarky Gardener’s Veggie Growing Guide”, available on Amazon as an eBook or paperback. Useful Internet Links: http://thesnarkygardener.com http://thesnarkygardener.com/2013/07/05/topten-best-crops-to-grow-in-northeastern-ohio/ http://thesnarkygardener.com/2016/09/14/ visit-local-seed-library/ http://kofnl.org

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THE

ANGIE HAZE

PROJECT

Angie Haze of The Angie Haze Project Photo Courtesy of Pezzo Photography

todd v

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First, a little background on Angie. She was born and raised right here in Northeast Ohio, and she is very proud of that fact. Angie knew as a toddler that music was going to be her vocation. At a very early age, she began writing, singing, and even producing her own music, using whatever tools she had at her disposal. If you have the pleasure of spending any time with Angie one on one, you will notice right away that she IS music. It flows from her at every turn. Many times during the course of a conversation, she will stop and focus on the subtlest of sounds that may be happening in her environment. Then you can see her begin to make something out of it. A beat. A melody. She may even write a song in full on a napkin. When inspiration strikes her, the world stops, and then, in an almost obsessive reaction, she has to let it flow out of her.

Photo Courtesy of todd v The Angie Haze Project. (Pictured from left to right) Angie Haze, Meryl Hornyak, Gina Wilson, Justin Tibbs, Rik Williger and Chris Dudley.

Angie is a serious multi instrumentalist, as well. On any given evening, you may see her play piano, guitar, melodica, drums, and other percussive instruments. This may occur all at once, such as in her song Asleep or Awake. But, this is not a gimmick. Angie simply needs the song to include each of these voices. On other songs, such as Hey Kid in the Corner, she may simply play a guitar as she walks up to you with her giant blue eyes and stares right into your soul. It’s then that most people begin to feel their eyes well up in reaction to her vulnerable approach, begging you to open up your heart. I have worked with her for some time, but it never ceases to amaze me when this moment happens. Almost like a switch, you can hear the crowd reacting to this shared emotional experience.

Angie wants the world to know how important the arts are, and how they can even be life saving. She created an interactive artistic/ musical program called the Bigger Picture. The first production of the Bigger Picture happened late last year at the Miller South School of the Performing Arts. The program tasked these middle school children with the challenge of taking Angie’s music and expressing it through their own art. The result was a magical evening that is scheduled to air as an hour long special on Western Reserve PBS in April, 2017. (Check your local listings for that one.) It is Angie’s goal to expand this program to more schools, and perhaps even into her own performance space. It is her belief that once people find that connection to the arts, they will begin to see

Continued on page 58

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Continued from page 57 its importance beyond just a diversion. That it helps people to grow, to think, and maybe even to find themselves. She is also in the middle of production of a 24 song video album that is being released, one video at a time on YouTube. In addition, the series May My Stories Be Worn Like My Coats is a visual album created by Angie to tell her life story, lyrically. The first three songs are already on the web and by the time of this publication, the fourth should be ready for release. This series is a ground breaking endeavor that acts as a reality series, showing the life of a musician working hard to break through to the next level. Most recently, it was announced that Angie is being added to the film screening tour of the much acclaimed documentary Blood on the Mountain. Visit bloodonthemountain.com or theangiehazeproject.com for upcoming tour dates and events, or for more information.

Partners in crime. todd v and Angie Haze out seeking a location for the next video in the series. Keep an eye out for these two as pretty much anywhere in the greater Akron area serves as a possible backdrop for their series May My Stories Be Worn Like My Coats. Walk over and say, “hi!” You might even see yourself in the project.

Photo Courtesy of Brent Veverka

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aroundKent Landmarks

Buy local, unique prints, and support the community and those in need of a little help. Now that’s a gift worth giving! • Quality Prints Available Online • They Make Great Gifts!

• Framing Available at McKay Bricker •A Portion of the Proceeds Goes to Help Feed our Community

Visit aroundkent.net to order prints.

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