Public invited to groundbreaking with surprise twist for HUG labyrinth

Jun 23, 2023

Curated Storefront and the new Highland Square Universal Gathering Place (HUG) will welcome the public to the event "Fresh Digs: Labyrinth" at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11, a groundbreaking for the upcoming labyrinth designed by Akron artist Chuck Ayers at the new cultural arts event center in Akron.

The community is invited to see just what kind of surprise may be dug up at the site, made up of two empty lots adjacent to HUG, all owned by Tony Troppe.

It's a pre-labyrinth groundbreaking to introduce the community to the land art labyrinth to be created by Ayers. Guests will get a chance to take a look at the artist's plans. The event, a celebration of the arts, will also have music and light refreshments.

The project for the prayer labyrinth along Merriman is expected to start in September, Troppe said.

Ayers will merge art and architecture with his labyrinthine paths and his brother, artist Michael Ayers, will create sculptural elements for the project. They include artistic hands that the blind can touch to guide them through the meditative process as they go from spot to spot along the curve of the labyrinth.

"It's going to be completely accessible," Troppe said.

Chuck Ayers, a former Akron Beacon Journal editorial cartoonist, illustrated the comic strip "Crankshaft" with author Tom Batiuk for 30 years and wrapped up collaborating with Batiuk on "Funky Winkerbean" with Batiuk Dec. 31, marking the strip's 50th anniversary. Mike Ayers, who was a longtime graphic designer for the Beacon Journal, is an illustrator who also does portraits, cartooning and hand-painted murals. Both artists live and work in Highland Square.

Next to HUG, Troppe also plans to build a 150-seat amphitheater on the back east side of the property, which will host performances, arts events and weddings.

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HUG, which opened March 23, is located at 133 Merriman Road, where the former Temple Israel has been transformed into the Creative Arts Collaborative Center. Temple Israel moved from its Akron home built in 1911 to Bath Township in 2014. Akron Digital Academy was housed in the building until 2018.

The building's former prayer hall is now a 300-seat auditorium. A lower level event space can seat 250 people for banquets and special events. Future plans also include studios and classrooms for musicians and artists as well as living quarters to eventually accommodate artists in residence.

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Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or [email protected].