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Connecting Arts, Culture

and Community
On the left there is a photo of little girl holding two red Lego blocks, to the right is photo of a woman painting with a woman next to her, the third photo is a little boy drawing black pavement with chalk. The photo beneath these are three girls dressed in orange, red, and blue clothing throwing confetti.

Photos (Left to Right): Akron Children's Museum, photo courtesy of Akron Children's Museum; Cultural Plan focus group in 2019 with Torchbearers, photo courtesy of Shane Wynn Photography; Hope Mural installation at Park East, photo courtesy of Ilenia Pezzaniti; Himalayan Arts Language & Cultural Academy, photo courtesy of Aimee Juarez
 

Akron's Robust Jazz History
Black and white photo of people on the street. A group of people in the middle holding instruments as spectators watch.

Photo Courtesy of The University of Akron: Howard Street: Elks Club Parade on Howard Street, c. 1940, The Horace and Evelyn Stewart Photograph Collection, The University of Akron Archives and Special Collections.

Arts Midwest recently published an article on the jazz scene in the 1930s in Akron, Ohio. During this time, Akron was the perfect stop for musicians traveling. By 1920, Akron’s Black population residied on Howard Street between Downtown and West Akron. This area was given the nickname “Little Harlem” where entertainment and Black-owned businesses such as restaurants, salons, barber shops, and more flourished.

 

Thank you to Arts Midwest for this incredible article on Akron's robust jazz history, and how it is being celebrated and revitalized today with help from local musicians, students, and The University of Akron.
 

Creative Investment Grant Recipient
Blue graphic with a photo of a people in costumes smiling. Text to the left reads "ArtsNow and IPSF, Creative Investment Program." To the right is the photo of a group of people wearing costumes and smiling. Text below photo reads "Tessa Gaffney." Text below: “The Creative Investment Program is meaningful to me because it will allow me to expand my understanding of dramatherapy in order to create theatre in a more ethical way.”

Tessa Gaffney is one of our Creative Investment Program recipients! Tessa is using this grant to attend a training with Merry Ross and the Living Arts Playback Ensemble. Congratulations, Tessa!
 

Artist Spotlight
Purple and green graphic with a photo of woman smiling next to a 3D painting. To the left of the photo is the SummitLive365 logo and text reading "Presented by ArtsNow: Louise Bane, Akron, Visual Artist."

Artist spotlight! Miller South alum Louise Bane started her artistic journey with a love for sculpture. After school, Louise took a detour to help run her family business- a local auto business that happens to be the only all-female, black-owned business of its kind in the county. In the last several years Louise has used her sculptural skill and passion for baking to operate a thriving custom cake business called WeezieCakes.
 

Upcoming Events
Yellow, purple, blue, and pink painting of red poppy flowers.

Photo courtesy of Paint Akron

Sip & Paint at Danny Boy's:                        Poppy Party

Thurs., June 20 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm

• Danny Boy's, Tallmadge

Join Paint Akron at Danny Boy's for a 2-hour paint session for all ages! Rae Faba will guide attendees through Poppy Party. 
 
A man and woman performing behind a backdrop of an ally with lights from building to building.

Photo from Akron-Summit Library
 

Tue., June 11 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm

• Akron-Summit County Public Library, Goodyear Branch

Victor Samalot and Bobbi Holt will be performing timeless selections from various artists such as Santana, Ritchie Valens, Antonio Carlos, and more. This performance celebrates Samba, Bossa Nova, Latin Rock, and Jazz.

 
Drawing of sardines in a can with text above reading "Drawing 'Bread and Butter' Issues with Katie Butler.

Photo courtesy of Akron Soul Train
 

Drawing “Bread and Butter” Issues

Sat., June 29 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm

• Akron Soul Train

Akron Soul Train and artist Katie Butler invite you to share your “bread and butter” issues with a special drawing workshop and food drive. Bring your everyday food staples to sketch and engage in discussions about everyday concerns such as health and employment.
 
Photo of people painting. Text on the photo reads "Akron-Summit Cultural Plan." The bottom of the photo has different icons such as a balance scare, a door, hand with a pencil in it, a flower, two people talking, two gears, puzzle pieces, money, a location symbol, and a painting. Text at the top of the photo is photo credit to Elizabeth Tipton.

Do you have a project or update about the arts and culture sector that aligns with our 10 priorities from the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan? Fill out the quick form below to have your project or update featured on our website!
 
3 circular photos with blue, orange, pink, green, and yellow smaller circles around them. The first photo is On the left there is a photo of little girl holding two red Lego blocks, to the right is photo of a woman painting with a woman next to her, the third photo is a little boy drawing black pavement with chalk. The first photo is of a little girl holding two red blocks, the second photo is of a woman painting with a woman next to her, and the third photo is of a man painting a face.

Photos (Left to Right): Akron Children's Museum, photo courtesy of Akron Children's Museum; Cultural Plan focus group in 2019 with Torchbearers, photo courtesy of Shane Wynn Photography; Painter Dray Evans, photo courtesy of Aimee Juarez

Support the Arts & Culture Sector in Summit County.

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