By Jessie Raynor, Akron Arts Alliance

Steve Albrecht, president of a locally-owned chain of 16 grocery stores called Acme Fresh Markets, recently presented the Akron Area Arts Alliance with a $1,500 donation — a percentage of the sales of new reusable shopping bags.  Decorated with colorful original artwork created by sculptor/designer Don Drumm (left), the first 5,000 polypropylene bags sold out at store locations in just one weekend.

Drumm, an artist renowned as a pioneer in use of cast aluminum as an art medium, said the bags are “advertisements for art, not just for Acme.”  He and Albrecht hope this bag will be the first in a series designed by local artists.

The Arts Alliance, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year, is a collaborative non-profit organization that promotes the value of a strong, diverse and vibrant arts and culture community to Greater Akron.  Its president, Margo Snider, was delighted to accept the Acme donation at a reception held at Drumm’s Akron gallery, a two-building showplace representing over 500 top American artist/craftsmen.