Celebrate the summer by igniting your creative energies at Akron’s best kept secret, the Artwalk. Artwalks are held every first Saturday of the month except in January and July.
This month’s is this Saturday, August 7 from 5-10 p.m. You can tour studios, galleries, shops and other venues in Akron’s Northside and Downtown Historic Districts.
Each monthly walk is a vibrant and unique experience in art, entertainment and culture. Trolley stop and hot spot maps are available at all of the participating locations along the route.
The August walk will include an extended route reaching up Market Street to include the new Hazel Tree Interiors. The walk will mark the grand opening celebration of the new business that will offer interior design and redesign services, custom picture framing, unique home furnishings, local art and a welcoming place for Akron's creative community to share ideas and resources. The building is notable for its brand new three story hand painted mural by renowned theatre scenic designer Kelly Tighe.
Artwalk icon Akron Glassworks will be open with hypnotic glassblowing demonstrations and the incredible artists of 43 Furnace (Zeber-Martell, Kathleen Lucas-Walls, Chris Klassen) are just a few steps away on Furnace St. Red Light Galleries, also in the Northside block will feature emerging artists Flora Csjetey and Avery Tippett’s Art Nouveau inspired show.
The August walk will also showcase locations that are only open at limited times during the year. Kiraly Fencing Academy Art and Antiques will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. This enchanting and captivating stop boasts collectible art and antiques in a must see interior space reminiscent of a 15th century castle. The space will feature two fencing demonstrations at 7 and 8 p.m. Troy Myers studio at the Icehouse complex and the Icehouse itself will be open for a rare peek inside for the Raw Umber Group’s show Cycles.
Though the Summit Artspace Gallery is between shows, the third floor of the Artspace building will be bustling with activity. The Akron Society of Artists, Katina Pastis Radwanski and the Artists of Rubber City the Box gallery will all be open for visitors.
Other walk hot spots include the venues off North High Street; We Gallery, gorgeous original fashions and accessories at NOTO, Andrew McAllister Photography, Akron swag and fun apparel at Rubber City Clothing, one of a kind furniture and art at Urban Kanvas and the Todd V studio sale.
Drop in for dinner at Crave, 3 POINT, Luigi’s, Northside or VegiTerranean, drinks at Uncorked Wine Bar, or a sublime latte at Mocha Maiden – all on the Artwalk trolley route!
The August walk will feature beautiful local art punctuated by the presence and participation of the Lock 3 Summer Arts Experience. Talented teens between the ages of 14 and 17 will roam the walk as patrons as well as performers.
Participants in the 2010 Summer Arts Steel Drum Ensemble Lock Crew Steel will play throughout the walk footprint between 6 and 8 pm while filmmaking apprentices will be capturing the walk locations, faces and personalities on film.
Free parking is available in the High/Market parking deck, the Northside Lot by Luigi’s restaurant, the Northside Train station, or the Summit Street/Market Street parking lot. Walk the walk from stop to stop on foot or hop aboard the free trolley service provided by the City of Akron.
