The Emily Davis Gallery at The University of Akron's Myers School of Art is premiering two exhibitions, "Rubber City to Rust Belt: The End of Akron's Rubber Industry 1976 – 1987" and "Selections from the Myers School of Art Collection," now through July 30. The summer gallery hours are Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Daniel Mainzer. Firestone Pieta, 1981 (printed 2019). gelatin silver print. 20 x 16 in. Courtesy of the artist.
"Rubber City to Rust Belt: The End of Akron's Rubber Industry 1976 – 1987" features the work of Daniel Mainzer, former staff photographer at Firestone and General Tire. His photographs depict the closing of a chapter of Akron's history that lasted over 60 years.
In the late 1970s, the tire industry continued to decline, and Firestone management started looking for ways to reduce costs. As the rest of the Industrial Great Lakes Region began to transition, it became clear to Mainzer that the industry's demise was coming, so he set out to document it. Mainzer worked as a staff photographer until their closing in 1987.
Mainzer was the recipient of a 2017 Knight Arts Challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which has made this revival of his work possible.
In addition to Mainzer's work,"Selections from the Myers School of Art Collection" is also on display in Emily Davis Gallery. In effort to highlight Myers School of Art's collection focus, the exhibition features work acquired from Myers School of Art alumni Alexandra Couch and Ryan Craycraft; former Myers School of Art faculty member Michael Loderstedt; and work donated from the estate of Myers School of Art alumnus John Puglia. The exhibition will also feature works from recent significant photography gifts including the works of Bill Owens, Arthur Rothstein and Dmitri Baltermants. Other pieces on display from the collection are by Tom Hück, Omid Tavakoli, Jennifer Vanderpool and Andy Warhol.
The Emily Davis Gallery organized this exhibition. Additional support for Daniel Mainzer was supplied by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
For more information about exhibitions or events, call 330-972-5950, visit the Emily Davis Gallery online, or on Facebook.
Alex Couch. Grown Folks Business, 2019. Gouache, acrylic, collage, ink, and graphite on paper. 42 x 33 in. Myers School of Art Alumni Purchase 2021.
Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.