On a sunny afternoon in early March, a lengthy debate ensued inside the FJKluth Art Gallery. It was between the gallery’s owner, Frederick John Kluth, and Kent artist, Robert Wood.
Both men’s voices bounced off the hardwood floors of the gallery space and were absorbed by the framed paintings and racks of antique knickknacks. The hot button issue that had the guys so revved was how art, both the business and creative sides, fit into the Kent community landscape.
“I wanted to have a place to exhibit paintings,” Kluth said. “I thought people would work with me. But the normal gallery art plan doesn’t work in Kent.”
Kluth said he just wants to get decent art into the community, but it’s difficult because many artists aren’t cooperative.
“Some artists in Kent want me to clear my gallery, put only their stuff on the walls, have a big party, sell the paintings and give them the money,” Kluth said. “But artists in Kent don’t want to pay a commission. I cannot afford to do that.”
The debate picked up steam when Kluth asked Wood how much money Wood would give him if he sold one of his paintings for $1,000.
“Notice, how he avoids the question,” Kluth said.
“Well, you have to actually show the painting for at least a month, you have to have a real show” Wood rebutted.
“A month, that painting has been here for years,” Kluth replied.
“But it’s not on display, it’s covered up,” Wood pointed out.
“Well I’m not going to show it to anybody unless you give me a commission,” Kluth said.
Overall crime rates in Kent declined 6.56%, according to the Kent Police Department's annual report released March 1, following a similar trend over the past 10 years.
Fewer instances of robbery, burglary, assault, larceny, auto-theft and arson were reported in 2009 than in 2008. Despite increased media attention on incidents in recent months, assaults dropped slightly from 270 to 263. However, instances of rape shot up 71.43%, from seven in 2008 to 12 in 2009 and there was also one homicide.
Kent Public Safety Director Bill Lillich said the numbers are hard to predict.
"We've had some streaky kinds of activities that have us concerned," he said. "That's why we're working hard on neighborhood policing efforts."
Lillich said the increased media attention may contribute to lowering crime rates, as citizens become more cautious about their surroundings and aware of how to look out for their own safety.
Teon L. Stallworth of Akron was arrested on Oct. 13 by the Portage County Drug Task Force for selling ecstasy in the Student Center. Stallworth pled guilty to and was convicted on one count of trafficking drugs, a third-degree felony. He was sentenced to one year in Lorain Correctional Institute in Grafton. His trial took place on Dec. 8.
Portage County Drug Task Force arrested three men on Nov. 17 on heroin-related charges in the parking lot between Verder and Prentice halls. Michaelas F. King of Peninsula was arrested for trafficking in heroin, possession of criminal tools and possession of OxyContin.
King pled guilty to one count of trafficking in heroin and one count of aggravated possession of drugs at a hearing on Jan. 25. Sentencing is scheduled for March 22.
John A. Reed and Daysha M. Lewis, Jr. of Akron were also arrested and charged with complicity to trafficking heroin, but the charges against them were dismissed.
Local News
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