2.5.08 - Akron Beacon Journal 2.1.08 - Bath Country Journal 12.14.06 - Akron Beacon Journal 5.4.06 - Westside Leader 9.23.04 - Westside Leader Women of the Year The Women's History Project of the Akron Area Inc. will host the 2008 Women of the Year Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. March 4 at the Martin Center, 105 Fir Hill, Akron. Honorees are Tracy L. Carter, Integrity; Andrea Denton, Faye Dambrot Award; Jan Householder, Creativity; Marcella Kanfer Rolnick, Innovation; Dr. Lynn Metzger, Pioneer; Susan Pavloff ,Posthumous; Janet B. Purnell, Perseverance; and Elizabeth Remmel, Woman to Watch. Also, the Elizabeth Buchtel Award will be presented by the Women in Philanthropy at the University of Akron to Ann Amer Brennan. Cost of the dinner is $50, or $400 for a table of eight. For information or a reservation, please call event coordinator Deb Lemire at 330-929-3382. Women of Vision Honored ArtSpace Chair to Leave Starting in January, Peninsula graphic artist Laura Ruth Bidwell will no longer be chair of Summit Artspace Gallery's advisory committee. Bidwell, who has coordinated gallery exhibits, set exhibition schedules and selected artists and guest curators since June 2003, will be replaced by West Akron artist Joan Colbert. An Akron native, Colbert works in mixed media with an emphasis on painting, printmaking and collage. She was the 2001 First Night Akron button designer and 2005 Arts Alive! winner for Outstanding Visual Artist. She is also a founder of Highland Square's Art in the Square Summer festival. Bidwell, who said she wants more time to create her own art, will help coordinate the first four exhibits of the 2007 season, which is in place except for one fall show Oct. 5 to Nov. 3. Other members of the gallery committee are graphic artist Liz Remmel, photographer Andrew McAllister, portrait artist Dino Massaroni, sculptor Don Parsisson, arts educator Pat Sargent and arts advocate Cornelia Eichorn. The committee is seeking artist applications for the 2007 open exhibition and all of 2008. Applications and guidelines are available at www.summitartspace.org or by calling 330-376-8480. Artists living, working or attending universities in Summit, Portage and Medina counties are eligible. Artists who have applied in the past may reapply with new work. Summit Artspace Gallery, 140 E. Market St., Akron, is a project of the Akron Area Arts Alliance in cooperation with Summit County. It is located in a historical art deco building that also houses The Bang and The Clatter Theatre Company. Gallery admission and parking are free. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.Local Web Design Firm Bursting at the Seams If Akron could clone anyone, LeBron James comes to mind first. Then, perhaps, is Liz Remmel. Remmel and two partners founded Immix Studios two years ago. Through innovation and hard work, the three young entrepreneurs have rapidly expanded their Web design firm. The company has moved into a larger office, begun offering new services and even spun off a subsidiary -- all in the past six months. "It has been amazing in two years the amount we've been able to grow,'' said Remmel, the firm's creative director. Northeast Ohio needs to focus on businesses like Immix, said Kurt Minson, past president of the TorchBearers, a group that strives to bring young professionals to Akron. "It is absolutely crucial,'' Minson said. "If companies are home-grown, they are probably going to be here for the long haul. What we really need to do is nurture entrepreneurs that will become our Goodyears.'' For now, Immix is still speaking about revenue in terms of thousands, rather than billions, but its bottom line is rising rapidly. The company's 2005 sales were about $225,000 -- three times higher than in 2004. In one year, Immix also doubled its business client list to about 50. Immix was expanding so quickly that it outgrew its office on Braewick Circle in Akron. Move to downtown In January, the firm moved to the Dickson Transfer Building on High Street in downtown Akron's historic district. In April, Immix added one full-time and two part-time employees. "Our business had grown to such an extent that we needed more room for clients,'' Remmel said. Besides having more space, moving downtown has given Immix more opportunities to network with other businesses. Most of Immix's new business, however, has come through recommendations from clients, many of which are nonprofit organizations such as the Akron Press Club, Akron Area Arts Alliance and Akron Garden Club. "People go to our Web site and say, 'Who did your work?' '' said Jessie Raynor, director of the Akron Area Arts Alliance. Immix "has done Web sites for many of the arts alliance members.'' Their work stacks up to any of the more experienced firms in the area, Raynor said. "They are very professional,'' she said. "They know their business.'' Separate operations The three young partners say even more growth is on the way, and it will come through restructuring. A year ago, Immix had three separate functions: It offered Web site hosting and design, computer networking help for businesses and computer tech support for individual home users. Last month, the partners split Immix in two, intending to give the technology department its own image. Immix's other two owners, brothers Patrick and Jon Carroll, who have backgrounds in business and information technology, respectively, turned that sector of the company into Pat's Computer Rescue in Hudson. They repair computers and offer networking help for individuals. Since moving to Hudson a few weeks ago with two part-time workers, Pat's Computer Rescue has added 50 home clients to a list that had numbered 350, Patrick said. "Things are going great,'' Patrick said. "We have had a real positive response so far.'' The partners say they will do the same thing soon with their small business computer networking sector. It is under the Immix name, but Patrick said he hopes that by breaking off that operation, they may be able to market it separately and increase its client base. Currently, Immix services 20 small businesses with computer networking. Immix might never become another Goodyear, but its owners say they hope to become an Akron fixture. "It's very exciting. I couldn't imagine doing anything else,'' Patrick said. "We love the fact that we're in charge of our future.'' Divide and Conquer iMMiX STUDiO attributes its recent move to downtown Akron from Braewick Circle to speedy growth. The firm's new space is in the Dickson Transfer Building on High Steet. The growth pace also led the company to divide into two entities. iMMiX will offer web design, hosting, and print design, while a separate company, Pat's Computer Rescue of Hudson, will provide computer repair and network services to small companies and residential customers. The two companies are headed by Akron natives Patrick Carroll, Liz Remmel, and Jon Carroll. DOWNTOWN AKRON — Immix Studio, a computer solutions and design firm, has moved from its office on Braewick Circle in West Akron to a new location in downtown Akron after experiencing rapid growth, according to the business. The new office at 24 N. High St., Suite 102, is located in Akron’s historic district in the Dickson Transfer Building on High Street behind Castle Hall on Market Street. The company has created two distinct businesses: Immix Studio will take care of Web design, Web hosting and print design, while Pat’s Computer Rescue of Hudson, will continue to provide computer repair and network solutions to small businesses and homes, as well as offer a storefront for customers to drop off computers. The team of Akron natives Patrick Carroll, Liz Remmel and Jon Carroll has added a Search Engine Optimization Department headed by Web Marketing Director Maren Ammerman. Immix Studio, which guides small businesses through the process of creating a Web site, prides itself in staying true to its Akron roots with clients that include Don Drumm Studios, Albrecht Inc. and ALCO Chemical, as well as nonprofit organizations like the Akron Press Club, Akron Arts Alliance and Akron Garden Club. Immix Studio can be reached at (330) 283-4944.
Arts supporters honored at Arts Alive! Gala A highlight of the event included an “Out of the Box” auction, which consisted of 50 decorative boxes designed by local artists. The auction was chaired by Melissa Paul, shown at near left. Shown at far left, West Akron resident Betty Dalton admired the box “At the Market,” created by artist Susan Yingling. The event included an Academy Awards-style ceremony for the recipients of the 2005 Arts Alive! Awards. The winners were: Joan Colbert, Outstanding Visual Artist; Mary Ann Jackson, Outstanding Arts Volunteer; Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell, Patron; Kathryn Mihelick, Outstanding Artist in Dance; U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-District 17), Government Leadership; Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet’s Reach Out and Dance, Outreach; Jim Fippin, Outstanding Artist in Theatre; OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Business Support; Arts Lift and Mary Schiller Myers School of Art, Collaborative Project Award; Sally Schneider, Outstanding Arts Educator; Tucker Jolly, Outstanding Artist in Music; Elizabeth Remmel, Rising Young Star/Artist; Elisabeth Quirk Sheeler, Rising Young Star/Leadership. Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Dr. Bruce and Lola Rothmann, as well as Mark Soppeland. Proceeds from the event benefited the Akron Arts Alliance, formed in 1991 by Ann Amer Brennan and Jackson to foster cooperation among arts and cultural groups in the Greater Akron area. Jackson is shown above with her husband, Tom. Alive! Awards praise artists and patrons Rep. Tim Ryan, Bruce and Lola Rothmann, Mark Soppeland among those recognized 11.13.05 - Akron Beacon Journal - Kerry Clawson Participating in and supporting the arts is not only fun and rewarding, but also spurs the Akron-area economy, celebrators stressed Saturday evening at the Akron Area Arts Alliance's Arts Alive! Awards. "The economic development experts call us the creative industry," said Jessie Raynor, director of the alliance. That sentiment was echoed by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles:"It's very important for us not to cut the arts because that's the very engine that is leading economic development in the United States of America.'' Ryan, honored with a government leadership award, received an A+ in the first Congressional Arts Report Card issued by Americans for the Arts Action Fund. He was among 220 guests at AAAA's third biennial event at the Radisson Hotel Akron City Centre. The evening began with special awards for lifetime achievement, bestowed upon both arts patrons Bruce and Lola Rothmann and artist/educator Mark Soppeland. The Rothmanns have supported the arts for more than 60 years, giving their time, talents and financial support to Tuesday Musical Association, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Children's Concert Society, Blossom Music Center, Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Akron Chamber Ballet (now Ohio Ballet), Music at Stan Hywet and, most recently, Music from the Western Reserve. Soppeland, who has taught for 30 years at the University of Akron, is a painter, sculptor, illustrator, craftsman and designer. His work has been exhibited in more than 350 exhibitions on four continents. Other Arts Alive! winners were: • Outstanding visual artist -- Joan Colbert. The 2001 First Night button designer is an organizer of the Art in the Square festivals, secretary of Artists of Rubber City, an Akron Area Arts Alliance member and Summit ArtSpace gallery volunteer. • Outstanding volunteer -- Mary Ann Jackson. She has dedicated more than 35 years to arts and cultural organizations, including co-founding the Akron Area Arts Alliance in 1991. Her work ranges from chairing the Civic Theatre board to serving as the inaugural executive director for Akron's First Night. • Outstanding patrons -- Fred and Laura Bidwell. The couple are passionate supporters of the visual arts, including the Akron Art Museum, Emily Davis Gallery at UA, Cleveland Museum of Art, MOCA and Summit ArtSpace. • Outstanding artist in dance -- Kathryn Mihelick. She founded Leaven Dance Company in 1992. She has challenged the Vatican to recognize the validity of liturgical dance as an appropriate form of worship. • Outreach award -- Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet. R.O.A.D., founded by Lori Klinger in 2002, provides free dance experiences for 650 at-risk fourth- and fifth-graders in Akron, Wooster and Cuyahoga Falls. • Outstanding artist in theater -- Jim Fippin. In his sixth season as resident director of Coach House Theatre, the thespian oversees all aspects of production in the 93-seat theater. • Outstanding business support -- Omnova Solutions Foundation. For years, the foundation has funded concerts, museums and exhibitions, dance performances, theater productions and arts education. • Collaborative project award -- Arts Lift, The University of Akron Myers School of Art. A bequest by the late Lola Isroff created this urban arts education program that provides scholarships for underprivileged, artistically gifted high school students in the Akron Public Schools. • Outstanding arts educator -- Sally Schneider. The Firestone High School director of choirs has instilled in her students a love of choral music and respect for music as an art form during her 24 years with Akron Public Schools. Ensembles under her direction include Madrigal Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Men's Choir, Intermediate Choir, Women's Choir and Symphonic Choir. • Outstanding artist in music -- Tucker Jolly. He'll conduct his 26th TubaChristmas this year, a holiday tradition he started in 1980. A professor of tuba and euphonium, Tucker is a tubist with the Akron Symphony. • Rising young star/artist -- Elizabeth Remmel. The 25-year-old graphic artist is founder and creative director of IMMIX Studio and art director for Rubber City Clothing Co. • Rising young star/leadership -- Elizabeth Quirk Sheeler. As founder of ArtCetera, Sheeler brought young professionals together to experience arts and culture in the Akron area Need computer and print design services? Try iMMiX STUDiO. 9.23.04 - Westside Leader - J.V.W. Miller WEST AKRON - Are you being victimized by computer spies? Is spyware invading your computer privacy? Who you gonna call? iMMiX! iMMiX STUDiO, LLC has opened offices at 2106 Braewick Circle, Suite 101, to serve small-to-medium size businesses, organizations and individuals. The principals, with a combined 15 years of experience, are longtime West Akron residents - and Firestone High School graduates - Patrick Carroll, operations director; Liz Remmel, creative director; and Jon Carroll, technology director. iMMiX's single source customized services cover nearly all aspects of Web site and computer needs, from design to repairs. In addition, a free interactive online forum/chat room for the latest technology, help for computer problems and updates on viruses, spyware and other computer threats is also offered. All service include one-on-one free estimates and attention. iMMiX STUDiO offers: Because not everyone grew up with computers and finds them easy to use, iMMiX STUDiO personnel hope to make computer work at home - for retirees and those not adept at "computerese" - a lot easier to circumnavigate. Technology made less technical ---Liz Remmel and Patrick Carroll, both 24, operate iMMiX Studio in West Akron. The company focuses on two areas -- tech support and Web design -- but dabbles in many others. Patrick Carroll and Liz Remmel know they're not typical 24-year-olds -- at least by Akron's standards. At a time when many twentysomethings are packing up their college degrees and resumes, and heading for the state line as fast as possible, the Firestone High School graduates decided to stay. They, along with Carroll's brother, Jon, 26, founded iMMiX Studio in West Akron. The Akron startup bills itself as a "one-stop solution for technology.'' In reality, iMMiX focuses on two areas -- tech support and Web design -- but dabbles in many others. IMMiX can provide Web hosting, spyware removal, search engine optimization, hardware and software installations, plus repair computers and networks. "We've seen a lot of demand for our services, especially PC repair,'' said Patrick Carroll, who is operations director. IMMiX typically targets small businesses, especially in Web design. "They don't have the time and they don't have the money to employ a person in house,'' Carroll said. IMMiX, which also serves residential users, fills the one-on-one niche big-box retailers can't with customer service and lessons on how to avoid future computer problems, he added. "Most of our business has been through word of mouth,'' said Remmel, creative director. After a somewhat rocky start this year, the tech company has managed to turn a profit and pick up a respectable list of clients. Among them are Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, Weathervane Playhouse, Dobbins & Henshaw law firm, Graf Growers, the Craft Retailers Association For Tomorrow, C&P Sales Co., the Summit County Farm Bureau, Harris Stanton Gallery and ArtCetera. "The chunk of our Web sites have been arts-related organizations,'' said Remmel, a Kent State University graduate and longtime employee of Don Drumm Studios. Carroll declined to release sales figures. However, he did say the startup is growing. In the future, Remmel and the Carroll brothers hope to land more clients in Cleveland and Columbus. Still, they have no intention of leaving Akron. Jon Carroll is a network administrator for a local branch of FedEx Corp. And Akron is home to his brother and Remmel. Starting a company wasn't exactly the plan, but Patrick Carroll said the three of them are committed to it. "We'd always talked about it, but I always figured I'd just get a job,'' he shrugged, recounting a yearlong job search. "I guess it was kind of the circumstances after college.'' |
