Release Date: February 22,2024

Akron ArtWalk: A Vision of Empowerment on March 8th

Supported in part by Summit DD to Empower People of All Abilities!

PLUS events at Akron Art Museum, Akron Soul Train, Nightlight Cinema and more

Akron, OHIO (Feb 15, 2024) — On Friday, March 8 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m., experience the Akron ArtWalk, a quarterly celebration of the arts featuring artist vendors, creative activities, music, food, and more throughout the Historic Arts District. Admission is free and open to the public at participating venues.

Summit Artspace’s March ArtWalk is presented in collaboration with Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD), the levy-funded agency that provides essential services for more than 5,000 children and adults in Summit County.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This month-long celebration raises awareness about the importance of fostering a more inclusive community for people of every ability and the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life,” notes Summit DD Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky. "Summit DD is excited to partner with Summit Artspace on this inclusive ArtWalk. By partnering together, we are creating even more inclusive opportunities for folks of all abilities in Summit County and showing other organizations that they can foster inclusion, too!"

Visitors to Summit Artspace will find a host of inclusion-themed activities:

ArtWalk guests are invited to wear orange – the color of inclusion!
“A Vision of Empowerment,” a Summit Artspace exhibition in the building’s elevator lobby featuring artworks created by individuals with disabilities. Exhibiting artists will be on hand to discuss their work.
Information and activities at Summit DD’s booth in the Intersections Gallery, where visitors can learn more about services and supports.
The Inclusioneers’ Mobile Sensory Bus, supported by Summit DD staff, will be available in front of the building for folks who need a sensory break from the activities.
Resources from Akron Summit County Public Library’s new Accessibility Library, a groundbreaking resource that enhances accessibility at festivals, performances, community gatherings, and cultural shows. Visitors can view and use Sensory Bags, mobility supports, and other items available for loan at no cost to users.
A Quiet Room on Summit Artspace’s 3^rd floor will offer a calming atmosphere and feature various Accessibility Library items.
United Disability Services will showcase its Toy Lending Library, which loans developmental toys and resource materials to preschools, therapists, parents, grandparents and anyone working with a child from birth to six years of age.

As always, ArtWalk features opportunities for visitors to appreciate and purchase art and meet local artists:

Summit Artspace’s 25+ resident artists will open their studios to the public throughout the evening
30 pop-up artist vendors will sell handmade artwork throughout the building.
Elizabeth’s Bookstore will sell books that highlight, amplify and celebrate the work of QTBIPOC writers, who are often excluded from traditional cultural, social & academic canons.
Winter Exhibitions will be on view in Summit Artspace’s five galleries throughout the evening.
Local musician Andrew Izold will perform live music in the Taylor Main Gallery to accompany the FRESH Exhibition, with a focus on electronic/ambient/experimental improvisation.
Artists of Rubber City’s The Box Gallery will feature the exhibition “Fun and Games” by AoRC member Norman Mallard.

Nearby ArtWalk-related activities in and near the Main-Market Historic District also include:

Akron Art Museum will be having a “pop-up” at Summit Artspace. The Museum is open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The exhibits RETOLD: African American Art and Folklore and Land Jam by Ohio artists Natalie Lanese and Andrea Myers are on view. The Museum is located at 1 S High St.

The Nightlight Cinema will screen the Oscar-nominated films Past Lives (5:30pm) and Perfect Days (8pm). Tickets are $10 and can be reserved in advance. The Cinema is located at 30 N High St.

Akron Soul Train will be open and free of charge from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m, with two exhibitions on view: SUBARIUM II "reprise" by sculpture artist Thomas Smith, and Drumroll for the Total Eclipse: A Preliminary Exhibition by Matthew Kurtz. Akron Soul Train is located at 121 S. Main Street.

Curated Storefront invites the public to take a self-guided walking tour of illuminated art exhibits located in several storefronts downtown along Main Street. Start at the Polsky Building, 225 S. Main St., and walk north for the newest installation by Garth Zeglin and Ian Brill, Kinetix, at the PNC Center, 1 Cascade Plaza, and Kasumi’s digital installation, PixElation, at 174 S. Main Street. See the Curated Storefront Google Map to learn more about the artists, and all 25 locations.

In the Northside District, the Northside Cellar and Zeber-Martell Gallery and Clay Studio will be open until 5 p.m.

Jilly’s Music Room welcomes Cleveland’s high energy all-star jazz fusion collective Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric for an 8pm performance. Tables can be reserved online, and tickets are $5 at the door. Open from 5pm-1am.

General parking for ArtWalk is available on surrounding streets, and at participating locations. Downtown restaurants welcome patrons during the evening. An introduction to the Akron ArtWalk participating businesses is available on Downtown Akron Partnership. A virtual guide and maps can be found on Summit Artspace’s website.

ArtWalk at Summit Artspace is supported annually, in part, by a grant from The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation.