A smudge of paint on Howard Finster’s thumb turned into a successful art career and international acclaim. There's still time to see Finster's groundbreaking exhibit, "Stranger in Paradise: The Works of Reverend Howard Finster," at the Akron Art Museum through June  3.

This is the first major retrospective of the folk art icon, offering visitors an in-depth look at the life and career of a visionary artist represented in the museum’s collection.

“We’ve been wanting outsider or folk art because we actively collect it,” said Ellen Rudolph, Akron Art Musuem's interim chief curator. “We already have a few of pieces at the museum, so it was a wonderful chance to show more of his works.”

A project at The University of Akron to develop S.A.R.A., an interactive smartphone application that converts videos into unique sound and visual compositions, has received a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

UA is one of 78 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive Arts in Media grants from the NEA. Totaling $3.55 million, the grants support the development, production and national distribution of innovative media projects that can be considered works of art.

Markus Vogl, an assistant professor of art at UA’s Mary Schiller Myers School of Art, is developing S.A.R.A. in collaboration with Margarita Benitez, an assistant professor of art at Kent State University. Vogl and Benitez are Kent residents.

Summit Artspace Gallery and guest curator Brian Shellito are organizing a unique outdoor art experience this summer for both artists and the public. Streetscapes: Akron in Plein Air will, for the second time, bring together talented local artists to paint urban landscapes along downtown Akron streets. Spectators will be encouraged to visit the creative work sites and witness the process.

Plein Air is a French term meaning “open air.” Painting in plein air refers to painting out-of-doors, a practice of landscape painters for 500 years. On July 27, 28 and 29, participants in the Streetscapes: Akron in Plein Air competition will set up their easels in designated sites downtown to produce paintings. The artworks will be turned in at Summit Artspace at the end of each day for consideration by specially selected judges for inclusion in a gallery show Aug. 10 through Sept. 15.

A Steinway piano serenade, hands-on printmaking, and how dance can boost our brainpower are the intriguing topics in this spring’s Arts-in-Residence Series offered by The University of Akron’s Fine Arts Division. Hosted in the fascinating homes of area residents, plus the printmaking studio on the UA campus, the evening programs begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature presentations by UA faculty. Refreshments are included.

Each program is $35. Advance registration is required. Proceeds support scholarships for students in the visual and performing arts at UA, and all registration fees are fully tax deductible. Contact Cyndee Snider at (330) 972-5196 or for more information and to register.