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Release Date: February 19,2025

Akron ArtWalk: Creative Voices: Empowering Artists of All Abilities on March 13th

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

Akron, OHIO (Feb 18, 2025) — This year the Akron ArtWalk is moving to Thursdays! Experience a quarterly celebration of the arts featuring artist vendors, creative activities, music, food, and more throughout the Historic Arts District. The first ArtWalk of the year will be held on Thursday, March 13, from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. 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 ensuring people of all abilities have opportunities to fully participate in every facet of community life,” notes Summit DD Superintendent Lisa Kamlowsky. “Summit DD is pleased to partner with Summit Artspace for the second year to bring this Inclusive ArtWalk to life. Our partnership is built upon a shared vision for a community that includes all people – and showing other organizations that they can foster inclusion, too!”

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

  • Information and activities will be available at Summit DD’s booth, where visitors can learn more about their 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 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 2nd floor will offer a calming atmosphere and feature various Accessibility Library items.   

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

  • Winter Exhibitions will be on view in Summit Artspace’s five galleries throughout the evening. 
  • Artist Robert Wright will demonstrate his gestural ink drawing technique inspired by the folks visiting the gallery for the duration of the ArtWalk. He will be in the Intersections Gallery alongside his exhibition, Over, Under, Sideways, Down. 
  • FRESH: Soft Offerings artist, Kimberly Wengerd will lead a felting activity.
  • Summit Artspace’s resident artists will open their studios to the public throughout the evening. 
  • Akron Bazaar vendors will sell handmade goods and artworks on Summit Artspace’s 3rd floor. 
  • Artists of Rubber City’s The Box Gallery located on the 3rd floor will feature the exhibition Faces, Faith and Fanciful Things by artist Bobbie Tiedt Donohew.

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

Akron Art Museum will be open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during their free Thursday extended hours. During the ArtWalk the Museum will have CANstruction sculptures on view. The Museum is located at 1 S High St.  

The Nightlight Cinema: For current movies and showtimes visit www.NightLightCinema.com. The Cinema is located at 30 N High St. 

Akron Soul Train will be open and free of charge from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with exhibitions on view from artists Davon Brantley, Duo Elyse Morckel and Denzel D. Washington, and Matt Kurtz. Akron Soul Train is located at 121 S. Main Street. 

Curated Storefront invites the public to check out Curated Storefront's new installation of vinyl prints featuring the art of avant-garde painter Æthelred Eldridge at the Polsky Building (225 S Main St). Eldridge, who passed away in 2018, was a professor at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio for more than 50 years. His art was often accompanied by text inspired by Old English and the writings of William Blake. View the Curated Storefront Google Map to learn more about the artists, and all 25 locations. 

Northside District offers many unique places to dine, shop, and experience local art! To see everything the district has to offer please visit their website.   

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.