Release Date: May 29,2024

Akron ArtWalk: Literary Echoes on June 14th

Akron ArtWalk celebrates Local Literary Arts & 150 years of the Akron-Summit County Public Library!

PLUS events at Akron Soul Train, Green Dragon Inn, Nightlight Cinema, and more

Akron, OHIO (May 28, 2024) — On Friday, June 14 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.

In honor of Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL), which celebrates its 150^th year in 2024 and occupied Summit Artspace’s historic building from 1940-1969, ArtWalk’s theme this quarter celebrates the local literary arts, with special activities and events planned.

Collaborative outdoor activities in the Akron Art Museum parking-lot (between Broadway and Summit Streets), include:

ASCPL’s Bookmobile - with books to check-out and commemorative sesquicentennial library cards and tote bags designed by two of Summit Artspace Resident Artists, Lizzi Aronhalt & April Couch.
Akron on Foot Tour - Explore former locations of the ASCPL Main Library, including the Carnegie building, with a guided walking tour and reproductions of historic images. Meet between 5-6 pm.
Tic-Tac-T(p)oetry chalking activity with Arts Alive Awards recipient Jason Blakely of Poetry is Life Publishing.
Spoken Word & Writings open-mic from 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Hear contemporary works in 15-minute bites from ten local writers. Pre-signup required.
Art Book Sale - Browse hundreds of used art books, great for aspiring artists to use for learning, reference materials, or collaging in their own work! Browse and find great bargains for purchase, courtesy of the Friends of the Akron Main Library. Proceeds benefit the ASCPL.
Akron Art Museum will “pop-up” in the parking lot to celebrate the Michelangelo Lovelace: Art Saved My Life exhibition with a hands-on community activity. JazzieSculpts will sell literary-inspired earrings.
Food vendors - including Bereka Coffee & Ethiopian Kitchen, Daisy Pops Cake Pops, Best Damn Smoked Meats.

As always, ArtWalk visitors will find more opportunities to appreciate and purchase art, and meet local artists inside Summit Artspace, with:

30 local Pop-up Visual & Literary Artists to shop from - including Arts Alive Award recipient and author Barbara Sabol, author and filmmaker Cory Sheldon, popular ceramicist Mary Clark of Tiny Cloud Ceramics, & more.
A handstitched bookbinding activity presented by Jackie Kist & Izzy Lavictoire, who are current Myers School of Art students at the University of Akron.
Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Center will sell books that highlight, amplify and celebrate the work of QTBIPOC writers, who are often excluded from traditional cultural, social & academic canons.
Summit Artspace’s 25+ resident artists will open their studios to the public throughout the evening.
The final weekend to see the six Spring Exhibitions, on view in Summit Artspace’s five galleries and hallways throughout the evening.
Zine Zone zine-making activity organized by Summit Artspace Resident Artists ZaBre Inspire and P31 Arts and Design.
Live music by the Supertonics Flute Ensemble.

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

Akron Soul Train will be open and free of charge from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. A short form theatre performance, by Sara Showman will take place at 6:30 p.m. A native of Appalachia, specifically East Tennessee, Showman has crafted Ode to Womanhood as a heartfelt homage to the wit and resilience of the remarkable Southern women she has known, as well as to all the inspiring women in her life. This 4-minute piece celebrates female solidarity and aims to elicit both a sense of unity and a few good laughs. Current exhibitions on view include the Annual Member’s Exhibition, celebrating the creativity, cultural expression, and diverse experiences within the AST community, and solo exhibition by Chen Peng, Mountains in My Living Room.

Curated Storefront presents The Groundhog Show exhibition Opening Night from 5 p.m. - 11 a.m. at TrueNorth Akron in and around the shipping containers. At 5:30 p.m. There will be a showing of the documentary Orlando, My Political Biography, presented by The Nightlight at the Courtyard by Marriott (41 Furnace St.). The rest of the reception will include DJ and drag performances, and live music by Benny Lava and the Guavas. Artwork awards will be announced at 9:30 p.m. The Groundhog Show exhibition and additional events continue through Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. See the Curated Storefront Google Map to learn more about all 25 locations and the artists shown at each.

The Nightlight Cinema will screen the opening night of the film I Used to Be Funny. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved in advance. The Cinema is located at 30 N High St.

The Green Dragon Inn is hosting a two-day event. Join the Fae Masquerade pre-party on Friday, June 14, from 4 p.m. 12 a.m., featuring giveaways, local vendors, raffles, D&D one-shots, and art by local artist Matt Miller. The excitement continues Saturday, during the Grand Ball from 2 p.m. - 12 a.m., where attendees can showcase their best cosplay or costume to win prizes, explore a vibrant craft market, enjoy more giveaways from local businesses, and games. The Green Dragon Inn is located at 115 E Market St.

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 presents live music by St. Thomas Collective (mission-driven and community focused) at 8 p.m., The Applewhites (alternative rock) at 8:40 p.m., Orange Animal (rock/folk/blues) at 9:20 p.m., and the Joe Merlitti Band (emo/rock) at 10 p.m. General Admission is $10. Tables can be reserved online, 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.