By Ray Whin, Everyday Akron creator
I adore artwork that is colorful and joyful. So seeing murals and other pieces around town by Sabertooth Public Art lights me up. I reached out to the organization’s co-owners, Marissa McClellan and Elisa Gargarella, to find out where they draw inspiration from and why it’s important to create a stronger sense of community through public art.
Read the conversation below, follow them on social media and be sure to support them — either by commissioning a piece or tagging them in a selfie in front of their public art.
Tell us about Sabertooth Public Art and how it got started.
Sabertooth Public Art officially launched about three years ago, but the story starts much earlier! For the past eight years, Elisa and I have been exchanging big cat gifts — everything from tiger prints to cheetah sculptures — just for fun. It became a tradition long before Sabertooth was even an idea.
We decided to start our own public art and creative placemaking business because we were already doing some of this work through Art Bomb Brigade, a University of Akron program where we teach students how to take a public art project from concept to completion. We absolutely love creating murals with our students, but we knew we wanted the ability to do more.
Sabertooth was born from the desire to not just create, but also curate, educate, and advocate for public art and thoughtful creative placemaking. Through Sabertooth, we get to share even more of what we’re passionate about — bringing vibrant, meaningful art into public spaces and fostering stronger, more connected communities.
What drew you to provide murals and public art for people to enjoy in Akron?
There’s a lot of real estate in Akron that’s practically begging for art — and we’re here for it! Beyond just filling empty walls, we believe deeply that public art is for everyone. It’s the most democratic form of art, transforming everyday spaces into places where creativity, culture, and community meet.
Public art can do so much more than beautify a space — it can create safer, more welcoming environments, support public health, and spark a sense of pride and connection. A vibrant mural or public installation can turn an overlooked corner into a gathering place, a bold backdrop for concerts, markets, festivals, or simply a lively spot where people want to be.
Art has the power to make a city feel exciting, energized, and alive — and we want Akron to feel that way every day!
Can you walk us through your creative process when you start a new project?
We like to kick off each new project by creating a mood board for our clients. It helps us get a clear sense of the vibe, style, and energy they’re drawn to. Once a direction is chosen, we design 2–3 concepts for them to review, along with several color palettes to choose from. Then, we just draw! Occasionally, we’ve used colored paper to collage.
Throughout the process, we keep communication open and easy. We want our clients to feel comfortable sharing not just their ideas, but also the feelings they hope their project will evoke. We take that seriously — it’s a huge part of how we make sure the final piece feels just right.
What is your favorite type of project to work on and why?
Honestly, we love doing it all! Lately, we’ve been especially excited to help cities and neighborhoods create actionable public art plans. We work with communities to identify highly visible, viable locations that are ready to showcase bold murals or sculptures — places that are truly up for the task of sporting great art.
But we don’t just hand over a plan and walk away. We also focus on educating and empowering our city and neighborhood partners, giving them the tools and guidance they need to confidently move forward once our part is done. From how to attract artists to tips for securing funding and managing installations, we make sure they’re set up for success — because the real goal is to see art actually get onto those walls and into those spaces.
At the same time, there’s nothing quite like the hands-on experience of designing and painting a vibrant mural ourselves. Murals have an incredible ability to transform a space — they can turn an overlooked wall into a landmark and completely shift the energy of a neighborhood. Being part of that transformation is pure magic for us. It’s fun, it’s rewarding, and it’s exactly why we love what we do.
What inspires you when it comes to creating murals and art installations?
Bold color combos. Patterns and textures. Layers. All of these things inspire us.
But even more than that, the biggest inspiration always comes from the space itself.
We take the time to really consider where the art will live — its history, its purpose, and the vibe we want to create. Every space tells a story, and we believe the art should feel like it belongs there. That’s why we focus on creating site-specific work that’s not just beautiful, but also meaningful and functional.
Our goal is to design pieces that enhance the environment and can be powerful marketing tools for our clients, helping them showcase the energy and character of their space in a way that’s bold, authentic, and unforgettable.
Why is creative placement an important part of Sabertooth?
Creative placemaking is truly at the root of everything we do. Creating cool and beautiful art is awesome — but it’s about so much more than that. We’re driven by the idea of building spaces that bring people together, spark connection, and reflect the spirit of the community.
Creative placemaking means using art intentionally to strengthen the social fabric of a place. It’s about transforming spaces into gathering points — places where people feel a sense of pride, belonging, and excitement. Whether it’s a mural that becomes a backdrop for community events or a sculpture that anchors a public square, we’re focused on projects that have a lasting impact, not just visually, but socially and culturally too.
We believe that when you thoughtfully weave creativity into the fabric of a neighborhood, you’re not just making it more beautiful — you’re making it more connected, more resilient, and more alive.
Similarly, why is art advocacy an important part of Sabertooth?
Art advocacy is essential to Sabertooth because we believe that art isn’t just decoration — it’s a vital part of a thriving, healthy community. Advocacy helps ensure that creativity is recognized as a powerful tool for connection, economic development, education, and social change.
We’ve seen firsthand how public art can transform a neighborhood, create pride, and spark important conversations. But without advocacy, art can easily be overlooked or underfunded. That’s why we work to champion not just our own projects, but a broader vision where artists are valued, creative spaces are protected, and public art is seen as a necessity, not a luxury.
Through our work, we advocate for a future where creative voices are heard, where neighborhoods have the resources and confidence to bring art into their spaces, and where communities understand the deep, lasting impact art can have on everyday life.
How can people support Sabertooth?
People can support Sabertooth by considering us for murals, educational resources, creative workshops, public art plans, or even just consultation services. If you like what we do, don’t be shy — reach out! Tell your friends, tell your mom, tell your boss, tell your dogs!
Following us on social media, sharing our posts, and showing us some love online also goes a long way. In today’s world, those shares and likes can make all the difference!
Additionally, if you’re part of a community organization, local business, or a neighborhood looking for art, let’s talk! Even small contributions like spreading the word about our work or recommending us to others can make a big impact. Support doesn’t always have to be financial — word of mouth and connections are incredibly powerful too.
How should people reach out if they’re interested in working with you?
You can email at marissa@sabertoothpublicart.com, reach out through our website at sabertoothpublicart.com, or message us on Instagram at @sabertooth_public_art. We’d love to hear from you!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
We are incredibly grateful for the supportive community we’ve found here in Akron. Every day, we’re thankful for the opportunity to wake up and spread joy using the strongest tool we have — the ability to create.
Akron has given us space to grow, dream bigger, and connect with people who believe in the power of art just as much as we do. We don’t take that for granted. Whether we’re painting murals, creating public art plans, or leading workshops, it’s always about building something bigger than ourselves — something that brings people together.
Thank you for giving us the chance to share a little more about who we are and what we love to do. We’re excited for all the possibilities ahead and can’t wait to keep creating with you.
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