Dara Harper M.Ed., a passionate, creative entrepreneur, artist, and educator, is a true testament to the power of art and education. Her academic journey at the University of Akron, where she earned a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, a Bachelor’s in Studio Art with a focus on Painting and a Minor in Art History, has significantly shaped her artistic prowess. This is evident in her public installations at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Downtown Cuyahoga Falls, Morgan Park, North Hill, Firestone Park, Kenmore and the West Side of Akron. When Dara Harper says, “Engaging the community and spaces through art is part of my purpose as an artist,” she is not just making a statement, but revealing her artistic philosophy and her approach to community engagement. Her art is a tool for connection, communication, and change.
Dara Harper’s commitment to using art as a catalyst for change is a personal mission and a community endeavor.

Her leadership roles include:

• Executive Director & President of the Akron Black Artist Guild.
• 2024/2025 Teaching Artist with Barberton Intermediate School through the Ohio Arts Council TeachArts Ohio grant.

Dara’s active participation in the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza Education Committee and the Soul of Philanthropy Steering Committee demonstrate her dedication to community engagement.