Seeing how art can transform people, spaces, and entire communities is fascinating. Having a creative vision to construct spaces, starting from scratch and turning them into places where the community can reflect on the past while emphasizing growth and evolution, can be reasonably challenging. We boldly claim that artists can naturally step into this role […]
Author Archives: Dara Harper
Dara Harper is a columnist for Signal Akron. She is a creative entrepreneur, artist and educator. She graduated from the University of Akron with a Master's in Curriculum & Instruction and a Bachelor's in Studio Art. As an artist, Dara has public art installed in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, downtown Cuyahoga Falls, and the West Side of Akron. Engaging the community and spaces through art is part of her purpose as an artist. Dara is uniquely driven to use art to advocate, create conversations and develop meaningful relationships that will positively impact her community. She is co-founder and lead of the Akron Black Artist Guild, winner of the 2021 Knight Arts Challenge. Dara Harper is listed with the Black Cube Collective for Black women abstract painters and actively serves on the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza Education Committee.
