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.

A first for Bridgestone Americas' new multi-million dollar technical center in Akron was recently hosting the Summit County Historical Society's (SCHS) 2012 annual meeting. The center's three-story atrium was the venue for the society's meeting, appointment of officers and a talk by University of Akron assistant professor of English, David Giffels, on Harvey S. Firestone's iconic statue outside of the building. Leianne Neff Heppner, the society's executive director, stated in her welcoming remarks that this was the first group to meet at the tech center. The elegant luncheon was served on Firestone china by AVI Catering Services and was attended by 65 people.

Hans Dorfi, manager – Advanced Tire Technology, talked of the building's green footprint and all of its environmentally friendly features, such as having a white roof. Using their own energy-saving Firestone industrial building products, it reflects the sunlight and makes the building more energy efficient. The use of many glass surfaces also lets in more natural light. He mentioned that the positioning of the Harvey Firestone statue and monument influenced how the building itself was situated. Dorfi further stated, "Bridgestone Americas has its roots in the Firestone family and the Bridgestone family, and we want to keep that heritage alive - the heritage of innovation, quality and social responsibility which is important to the community."

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.

The University of Akron's School of Communication recently hosted its first annual speech contest at the Martin Center. Nearly 300 faculty, family and fellow students listened as the top five general education speech students gave polished and professional presentations April 24. The untimely "popping" of a balloon in the room did not faze the speaker who had the microphone at the time.

Dr. Elizabeth Graham, director and professor, School of Communication, welcomed those in attendance to the competition and stated it was a way for students to practice and polish their speaking skills. Master of Ceremonies, Dr. John Zipp, associate dean, Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, spoke of the benefits of speech courses as a requirement in each degree curriculum.

Presenters were judged on delivery, content, organization and their visual aid presentation. Each speaker clearly demonstrated that she or he had spent much time researching their respective topics. Content ranged from hard data and statistics to whimsical and even inspirational. Each student participated in several elimination rounds before reaching the top level. Dr. Graham further stated: "Each public speaking course nominated one student. These students then competed for the five available finalist spots."

Film premieres April 19 in Akron

“Rebels on Lake Erie,” a locally produced documentary about a college-educated pirate’s attempt to liberate Confederate officers imprisoned on Johnson’s Island near Sandusky, premieres April 19, 6:30 p.m., in the ballroom at The University of Akron’s historic Quaker Square Inn, 135 S. Broadway, Akron.

Free and open to the public, the premiere event will also feature Civil War music and re-enactors. Many of the documentary's featured experts and production team members will be available for questions. A panel on “Memory in the Civil War” will follow the screening. Free parking is available.

Western Reserve Public Media (WNEO/WEA0) will broadcast "Rebels on Lake Erie" April 23 at 10 p.m.

Caribbean, jazz and classical music will mix when The University of Akron Steel Drum Band performs April 14, 8 p.m., at E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., on the UA campus. A big-screen “pan cam” — a popular feature of the band’s annual spring concerts — will put the audience in the middle of the vibrant sights and sounds.

Tickets are available in advance and at the door. Regular-price tickets are $18 for reserved seating. Discount tickets are $16 for seniors, children 12 and under, and UA faculty, staff and retirees and $9 for UA students with Zip Cards. For tickets and event information call the E.J. Thomas Hall Ticket Office at (330) 972-7570. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at all Ticketmaster Centers, www.ticketmaster.com, or (800) 745-3000.

Both lectures sponsored by The University of Akron’s Synapse Series and Integrated Bioscience Program

On April 5 at 6 p.m., Ilaria Mazzoleni will talk about “Bio-mimicry: Innovation in Architecture Inspired by Nature” in the Folk Hall Auditorium, 150 E. Exchange St., on the UA campus. A faculty member at the Southern California Institute of Architecture, Mazzoleni investigates issues of sustainable architecture and building technologies.

On April 26 at 7 p.m., Jenny Sabin will discuss “Matrix Architecture” at the Akron Art Museum, One South High Street in downtown Akron. An architectural designer, artist and educator at Cornell University, Sabin is a 2011 Knight Fellow who is at the forefront of investigating the intersections of architecture and science and applying insights and theories from biology and mathematics to the design of material structures.

A ticket is required for the April 26 program and may be obtained for free at: akron-art-museum1.ticketleap.net/jenny-sabin.

"Collider4: Spectacle," an array of events presented by The University of Akron's Myers School of Art, invites visitors to participate in, play with and ponder new media artworks. The events include exhibitions, lectures, workshops, receptions and Kinect Cube interactive artworks.

Running through April 14, all “Spectacle" events are free and open to the public in three UA campus locations: the Myers School of Art and Emily Davis Gallery in Folk Hall,150 E. Exchange St.; Bierce Library, 302 East Buchtel Ave.; and the Honors College Complex, 180 South College St. Also free are receptions on March 20 and April 13 from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Françoise Mouly, the New Yorker art editor who is responsible for the magazine’s provocative covers, will present “Covers Uncovered,” a free public lecture April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stage Door of E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., on the campus of The University of Akron.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Open seating is available on a first-come basis. For more information call the Thomas Hall Ticket Office at (330) 972-7570 or visit www.uaevents.com.

Presented by UA’s Mary Schiller Myers Lecture Series, Mouly will take the audience behind the scenes at the New Yorker and demonstrate how the magazine that exemplifies journalistic excellence in America also dares to cultivate a sense of humor when grappling with complex moral and political issues.

Pass the popcorn! The Paragon Brass Quintet will join with silent movie expert Todd Fiegel for a musical Foolish Film Fest at the Stage Door of The University of Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall April 1. The multi-media musical mischief and mayhem will begin at 3 p.m.

Paragon Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble-in-residence at UA, has a long history of performing April Fool's Day concerts. The ensemble includes trumpeters Scott Johnston and Jack Brndiar, trombonist Ed Zadrozny, hornist Bill Hoyt and tubist Russ Tinkham.