ArtsNow Patron Spotlight: Yoly Miller

Art audiences, supporters, and patrons are all vital to a healthy arts and culture sector. This blog series will highlight some of the people who make the arts work in Summit County. Today we hear from Yoly Miller, writer, photographer, and video journalist. (Have somebody you want to nominate for the spotlight? Reach out to becky@ampstrategy.com.)

I can’t remember exactly when I first participated or got involved in Akron’s art, music, and culture scene, but I do remember shopping at Crafty Mart and marveling at how vibrant this particular group of vendors and promoters were, even in the very beginning. Crafty Mart wasn’t only selling tables and dictating the rules of the market, they were offering community and support for small businesses beyond that one market day. It blew me away to see that there were people who truly believed in the concept of support in the arts beyond compliments and platitudes.

Crafty Mart led me to Big Love which lead me to The EP cooker which lead me to Ma’Sue Productions, which led me to write for The Akronist, and later The Devil Strip. Writing about the artists themselves allowed me to explore a vibrant Akron art and music scene. Being from a musical family, where generations of men tried to make their living through music and art, and raising a family steeped in those traditions, it made perfect sense to try to influence others to support and enjoy our homegrown talent. The more support the community gained the better the odds that my children would succeed in their lives as artists.

I’ve gathered enough experience and knowledge over the years that now I can help people who are not related to me. I can highlight the hidden, bring to the forefront the forgotten, and help shine a light on the new. When we know who is in our circle of influence and we help them shine we all benefit. Art, music, culture, they are a part of all of us. A strong arts community helps us celebrate during our best times, but it is during the hardest battles and the darkest days that it really flexes its strength, offering beauty in dismal days and comfort for when we can’t bear our load.