True to the spirit of their Best Foot Forward-themed art classes, Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron students created a dazzling collection of shoe prototypes. Presented by visiting artist Stephanie Stewart of P31 Art & Design, the four-month series of weekly classes encouraged students to express self-artistry as they studied and designed footwear.
Since last October, the students have been immersed in the art history-focused series, funded by an Ohio Arts Council grant. They completed projects that included a shoe sketch and layout, a baby shoe build, a Roman cardboard sandal, a poulaine extended shoe, a Viking book, an industrialization silhouette collage, a tennis shoe poster and tennis shoe sculpture.
“The primary objective for our Best Foot Forward project was to explore the history behind the
sneaker and understand the important cultural connections among various interdisciplinary arts,” explains Stewart.
Describing shoes as among the oldest functional art pieces that have seen very few fundamental changes and none whatsoever in
terms of functionality. Stewart says the project aimed to change students’ perspectives of shoes, from casual must-haves to works of art. That objective was met as students took a historical journey through time, exploring cultures and artistic influences on the design of shoes, from prehistoric times to modern eras. Harnessing their newfound knowledge, each student completed the series by designing and creating a 3D sculpture of a shoe brand that represents their viewpoint, personality and individual artistic expression.
“I enjoyed this project just as much as the students had. It’s always special to see the artwork all laid out for display,” says Stewart, who has taught at the school as a visiting artist for the past
few years. “I am so incredibly proud to be a part of the extended family at Summit Academies and hope to be able to continue to this relationship to bring insight, art projects and thought processes to students and the faculty.”