David Jared McDowell to Create United Way’s Centennial Sculpture

(Stark and Carroll Counties, Ohio) November 24, 2021 – In May 2022, David Jared McDowell will unveil his commissioned art piece for United Way of Greater Stark County’s Centennial Celebration at the corner of Court Avenue NW and Fourth Street NW in Canton.

The sculpture will incorporate the history and collaborative spirit of community giving associated with United Way over the past century.

McDowell was chosen for this project by a volunteer committee of local art leaders, spearheaded by Claudette Hankins: Sandra Boogaard, Alex Nicholis Coon, Linda DeHoff, Joe Martino, Nadine McIlwain-Massey, and Patricia Robinson. Multiple artists submitted their work to be reviewed. Using a rubric, the committee scored each submission based on quality and experience, creativity and originality, and experience with the medium of art. 

McDowell, is a visual multi-medium artist and owner of Burnt Marshwiggle Studio LLC, specializing in sculpture and leaded stained-glass assemblage. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in ceramics from Indiana Wesleyan University with special independent study in sculpture and stained glass, and has undergone post-graduate studies in Art Education, as well as studies overseas in art history and photography through Kent State University. His studio at the Hub Art Factory is in the Downtown Canton Arts District, where he has worked and resided for 10 years. McDowell was voted “Favorite Artist in Stark County” by the readers of About Magazine four years in a row. In addition to his comprehensive teaching-artist background with ArtsinStark programs and former adjunct professorship of 3-D design at Malone University, McDowell is an experienced public speaker about his work both locally and internationally.

His notable works include the Heritage Tree located at Sandy Valley High School in Magnolia, OH, a series of 10 relief sculptural interpretations of abstract paintings from the permanent collection of the Massillon Museum to be viewed by the blind via touch for the Blind Spot: A Matter of Perception show – winner of the Ohio Museum Association Best Exhibit award of 2017, and the Aultman Angel sculpture for Aultman Hospital honoring the Women’s Board for 50 years of fundraising.

“McDowell’s sculpture will be a beautiful, visual cornerstone addition outside United Way’s offices,” said Maria Heege, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Stark County. “It will be a welcoming, inviting space, a space of innovation, that honors and celebrates our neighbors uplifting neighbors. It will represent the evolution of community engagement and give us insight into a greater understanding of shared humanity. Since it is our centennial, it is the ideal time to create a dynamic, cultural presence that will help us chart a new path of another hundred years of progress and transformation as we continue to address the immediate needs of today while building the long-term solutions for tomorrow.”

McDowell will share progress of the United Way sculpture creation through his social media platforms, including his Facebook page.

About United Way of Greater Stark County

For nearly 100 years, United Way of Greater Stark County has served Stark and Carroll Counties. During that time, we have continued to build a better, equitable community where every person has the potential for a healthier life, a better education and more financial stability. We look to the future through our investment priorities, which ensure our community will have the foundation it needs to thrive: Access to Health, Childhood Success, Youth Success, Economic Mobility and Basic Housing Needs. With the support of volunteers, community partners and donors, we invest donor dollars efficiently and effectively into local community programs serving the most critical needs. Learn more at uwstark.org.