Andy Brooks

I was born in Honduras, where I was adopted at age one and came to Akron. I’ve been living in Highland Square ever since. My interest in photography started when I was eleven. I played around with an old camera that my brother David had. I would watch him take pictures in Chicago, where we went on vacation. He inspired me to get into photography. I have been taking photos for the last 12 years and have gotten more serious about this in the last eight years.

I love taking photos of old-style architecture and gothic too. During the summer, 1 go to a camp called Mi Pueblo for kids with Hispanic heritage. I am the teen coordinator and in charge of the high school age group. I’m one of 3 people who take pictures of the camp so we have lasting memories.

Some of my photos are from the Gorge, one of my favorite places to hike, and another set is from Elyria, Ohio. I love getting nature photos because I love the outdoors. That came from the Boy Scouts, Troop 1 in Akron, where I got my Eagle Scout award in 2011, which is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts. Other photos are from Chicago, downtown Akron, and Cleveland.

Christian James

Impacted by the beauty of the natural world, especially the ocean, Christian James creates sculptural glass creatures that mimic shapes from nature. Some of the forms he often uses are snails, jellyfish, and occasionally a combination of both. Growing up in Highland Square Christian studied art at the Visual and Performing Arts Schools Miller South and Firestone. This is where his love for art began. After graduating high school Christian attended Kent State University to study glassblowing. His interest in glass started at a young age with the influence of his uncle, who is a professional glassblower. Christian worked full time with his uncle at Janke Studios, a production glass shop located in Atlanta Georgia for 7 years. During this time Christian learned from Matt Janke in an apprenticeship style of mentoring to refine his skills and technical proficiency in the process of glassblowing. Returning to Akron in 2018, Christian now makes his work at Akron Glass Works, where he is the current manager of their studio. Christian James will be taking Akron Glass Works into their next phase by establishing their studio at a new location in the West Hill neighborhood of Akron opening Summer 2026. You can visit the current Akron Glass Works gallery and retail space to see the large variety of work he makes including pendant lighting, goblets, hot sculpted glass chess sets, and more.