Downtown Akron will be spruced up for the holidays with added shopping opportunities, interactive activities, destinations, and an enhanced trolley loop during this special Holiday Edition of the monthlyDowntown Akron Artwalk! Participating galleries,restaurants and art spaces will showcase art, music, food andfun Saturday, December 3 from 5-10 p.m.
Created by the independent artists and galleries that participate, the Artwalk features one of a kind art and collectibles available for purchase as well as art openings, gallery shows, demonstrations and interactive art. The term "walk" is used loosely as "artwalkers" can enjoy riding from destination to destination on a trolley provided by the City of Akron. With so much to see and do, it's no surprise that the monthly Artwalk is becoming one of the hottest nights out in Akron!
“Holiday Edition” unique shopping experiences:
Stop by Summit Artspace for the Holiday Artwalk Fair from 5-9 p.m. featuring local talented artists and artisans.
Pop in to the Northside Lofts retail level for NOTO’s Winter Wonderland! This favorite local shop will temporarily move to a secret winter wonderland for one night of magic! Explore new styles, sing along with the piano player, and have your picture taken with a very special visitor...Guests can expect live entertainment, appetizers, complimentary spirits, and of course - the best fashion in town! Enjoy holiday discounts and `walk the walk` for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate on the spot! Other prizes as well!
Stop by Rubber City Clothing to check out shirt-making demonstrations or request a customized gift. Assorted T's are priced to purchase at 50% off. RCC items are fabulous gifts to show and share Akron pride!
Take the Holiday Edition trolley to Lock 3 Holidayfest for shopping at the Holiday Market cottages and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Ice Skating Rink and new Reindeer Run sledding slope.
“Holiday Edition” interactive experiences:
Stop in for an interactive workshop with artist Mark Soppeland at Summit Artspace ongoing from 6-9p.m. Create a piece of work that will be included in his Downtown window installation, "Visions of Innovation and Invention" that will be unveiled at First Night Akron on Saturday, December 31! Participants are encouraged to bring images that represent Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with them, as well as shiny materials (example: foil). Materials will also be provided. Allow 15-30 minutes for your creativity!
Local artist todd v is creating a collaborative design and is requesting Akron-oriented doodle submissions from people like you! Doodles will be assembled into a single design. Doodles should be Akron oriented and reflect love or connection to the city– a tire, a soapbox racer, the blimp, write out Akron in your style, an indian head, an arrow head, a street sign, your favorite bar, restaurant, bowling alley-you name it! Send your doodles to toddv@toddv.com! Just take a picture of your doodle and email it. Get doodling!
“Holiday Edition” artwalk highlights:
Check out Immaterial Posessions at Millworks Gallery. This series created by University of Akron BFA Photography Kyra Szepietowski is a study of the often overlooked everyday objects that populate our lives.
Stop in to Akron Glass Works for hypnotic glassblowing demonstrations from 5-10 p.m., as well as great hand blown glass ornaments, holiday décor, gift items and tropical foliage plants for sale in the gift shop.
The Alliance for the Visual Arts in Akron, a group representing over 500 local artists from the Akron Society of Artists, Artists of Rubber City, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center and Women’s Art League, will presentKaleidoscope 2011 at the Summit Artspace Gallery from 5-9 pm.
The third floor of Summit Artspace is a unique working environment and gallery space for independent artists including December Artwalk participants Connie Bloom, Terry Klausman, Katina Pastis Radwanski and art collectives Artists of Rubber City (AoRC) and Akron Society of Artists. The BOX Galleryby the Artists of Rubber City features Paper or Plastic: A New Lowbrow Toy Show where 30 artists display customized vinyl toys from Kid Robot. Andrew Lowderwill open his BFA Sculpture show Lateral Meristem on the third floor as well.
For a bite to eat during the Artwalk, stop by Crave, Luigi's or take the holiday edition extended trolley loop to other Downtown restaurants. Try the new menu at Northside Bar and Grill, and enjoy music by the Midlife Chryslers at 9 p.m.
Map, Trolley and Parking Information
An Artwalk Map is available on the Trolley and at participating Artwalk locations. The Artwalk Map and additional information can also be found at www.downtownakron.com/artwalk. The Holiday Edition artwalk trolley loop will connect to the City of Akron’s Holidayfest Route to maximize service to other holiday related events in Downtown including the John S. Knight Center for the Holiday Tree Festival and Holidayfest at Lock 3-ice skating, Reindeer Run sledding and Holiday Market shopping!
Guests can hop aboard the red trolley that circulates the route at any of the Artwalk venues, or just give a friendly wave and the driver will stop. Gallery spaces are open between 5-10 p.m. with opening and closing hours fluctuating at each gallery.
To best enjoy the Artwalk experience, free parking is available at Northside(near Luigi's), in the lot across from Summit Artspace between Broadway and Summit streets, and in the High/Market Street Parking Deck.
For more parking information, download ParkingFriend, a parking App to help you find parking and destinations in Downtown Akron! ParkingFriend is now available for download to your iPhone, iPad or Android phone. Click on your App Store icon and search for "ParkingFriend Akron." Simply browse through a conveniently categorized list of points of interest, or search for your destination, andParkingFriend will show you all the nearby parking lots and decks, complete with rates and even distance from your destination. You can also view a map of Downtown with public lots and decks identified with a P.
To find the best place to park for the Artwalk:open the App; select Browse Places; select Artwalk; choose the Artwalk location you would like to park closest to; find the blue circle with a P closest to the location on the map and select it; and touch the blue arrow for more information.If you would like to comment on the App or make suggestions, call 330-374-7618.
About the Artwalk
Created by the independent artists and galleries that participate, the Artwalk is also generously supported by the City of Akron, Downtown Akron Partnership and Summa Health System.
