Examples of signs in Cincinnati implemented through the CoSign program

Today, the Knight Foundation announced Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance’s “Big Boulevard Sign Build” as one of 36 finalists in the 2019 Knight Arts Challenge. The project would transform Kenmore’s historic business district by leveraging the power of visual art to produce business signage through an artistic sign design competition, education and fabrication process.

Should KNA receive the funding, the group would partner with the CoSign program of the American Sign Museum to engage local business owners, KNA Design Committee members, city zoning officials and sign experts to work alongside and educate local artists to bring their winning submissions to life. A CoSign project in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood grew the vibrancy of its retail district while increasing retail sales by 25 percent in its first year.

“Artists are experts in iconography: using design to encapsulate and sell an idea,” said Tina Boyes Executive Director of Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance. “By pairing them up with our local businesses and other experts, we believe we can make an immediately noticeable and lasting impact on our community.”

The Knight Arts Challenge aims to help individual artists and arts organizations—across Akron, Miami and Detroit—bring to life authentic works and experiences that capture the spirit of each city. This is the fourth year for the community-wide initiative that funds projects designed to engage and enrich Akron through the arts. Final recipients will be announced at an event at the Akron Art Museum Sept. 25. The 36 finalists include Friends of Chestnut Ridge Park for their “Many Voices, One Akron” project. See the full list of Knight Arts Challenge finalists here.

Where can you see a 12-piece jazz orchestra, taste-test hot sauces, shop for jewelry, t-shirts and bath bombs, and learn a four-chord song in just a few hours? Nowhere other than Kenmore First Fridays.

Every first Friday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m., May to September, Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance welcomes hundreds of residents young and old to back to the Boulevard for a night of family fun and entertainment. The celebrations include food trucks, children’s activities like bounce houses, and craft beer at the Live Music Now Beer Garden, where you can also catch some of the region’s best talent in local rock, hip-hop, jazz and blues.

The Sept. 6 Kenmore First Friday theme is Back to School Superheroes. Kids, adults and even pets are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero. Kenmore Komics & Games will be the landing spot for surprise visitors from far-off galaxies. Plus, kids can create bike decorations at stops along the Boulevard, then show them off during a 7:45 bike parade. Prizes will be awarded to best-decorated bike and runner-up.

As always, every 15 minutes starting at 6 p.m. musicians perform outside businesses throughout the Boulevard District. On Sept. 6, the band Kissmass will play hits off the Kiss’s “Alive” album, and rappers Floco Torres and LDG will keep the crowds moving. Plus, don’t miss Martha’s Mistake as they cover all eras and genres, and Michael Stanley guitarist Marc Lee Shannon, who will inspire fans at the New Beginnings stage.

More than a dozen vendors will sell everything from Kenmore t-shirts to jewelry made with guitar strings used by local musicians. Dawn Meehan, a Castle Homes resident and owner of MeehanMakings, sells Kenmore-pride and nostalgia items, including Nesmith Lake mugs and Arena Roller Rink koozies. She sees the First Fridays as more than a way to make money, but a means of bringing pride back to the community.

“First Friday events are such a positive time for Kenmore. It is a great time to showcase local talent, artists and makers,” Meehan said. “I also believe it is a great way to get people back out on the Boulevard to see what is happening and to check out the local businesses. There are great things to down there.”

The events are also a launching point for new businesses, including Kickstand Coffee Company and Lil Bit Café. During First Fridays, Kickstand owners Patrick and Maggie Jackson, both Kenmore residents, sell coffee and iced drinks in front of their soon-to-be location at 975 Kenmore Blvd., a building KNA bought in April with hopes of attracting a coffee shop to the Boulevard. Each month, JOBS (Jump on Board for Success), a nonprofit that provides culinary training to single mothers in the area, offers a taste of what will be featured in their space at 992 Kenmore Blvd. when the café opens this fall.

“The First Fridays get us out of the kitchen to promote the program,” said Jennifer Herrick, the JOBS culinary program coordinator. “Folks get to see the girls and talk to them about what they have learned. It has also gets us in front of potential new students and mentors.”

Kenmore First Fridays are presented by Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance and Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realty and are sponsored by Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, Akron Promise, A-Z Insurance-Dustin Burgess Insurance Group, Freedom Tax Akron, Kenmore Komics & Games, Pegasus Lounge, Schlup-Pucak Funeral Home, Smith’s House of Carpet, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Public Health and the City of Akron. For more information about this and other events, visit the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance Facebook page at www.facebook.com/knacares.

Kenmore resident Caleb Aronhalt and the University of Akron Art Bomb Brigade worked together to beautify an emerging enclave of activity at Kenmore Blvd. and 15th St. Aronhalt’s mural, entitled “Kenmore, Oh,” now fills the wall of Project Three Gallery and faces the future outdoor seating area of Lil Bit Café.

Funded in part by the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, the work is the culmination of 2017’s Kenmore Imagineer mural competition, conducted by Mac Love as part of his @Play project. Mac distributed a coloring book, which included black and white photos of Kenmore buildings and public spaces, at places like schools, libraries and Boulevard businesses. They drew more than 120 entries from residents of all ages. A group of residents and local leaders named Aronhalt’s concept winner because of its positive depiction of the Kenmore name.

“With the merger of our school, and with so many in our neighborhood fearing – even feeling – a loss of identity, Caleb’s mural helps to ensure our identity is here to stay,” said Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance President Jeffrey Vujevich.

The Art Bomb Brigade is an art and education program that arms University of Akron students and alumni with paint brushes and spray cans to “muralize” highly trafficked sites in our region. Brigade participants include Kenmore residents Arlie and Paula Hollman. To learn more, visit www.akronartbomb.com.