View Magazine Fall 2023

VIEW

FALL 2023

AKRON ART MUSEUM

McGee

Joanne Wright

Fall at AAM

As the sun sets on another summer in Akron, we look forward to welcoming you to our new exhibitions, installations, and programs this fall.

Two Ohio artists, Barbara Stanczak and Amanda D. King, have solo exhibitions in the Isroff and Bidwell galleries, respectively. Stanczak’s Spirit & Matter takes pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth and expresses this through sculptures of wood and stone. King’s Locusts is an exhibition of emotional photographs documenting the loss of her grandfather to COVID-19 as well as intimate reflections of his life.

The Bud and Susie Rogers Garden will be activated with the installation Reflections by Bahareh and Farzaneh Safarani. As the days get shorter, visit with this mixed-media work that features faces from our community projected onto a large-scale painting.

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore opens on November 4. This exhibition grew out of the imaginative goal of collectors Wes and Missy Cochran of La Grange, Georgia. They wanted to create a collection of prints reflective of African Americans that could primarily be displayed as an artistic, educational, and cultural presentation. Guest curator Tameka N. Ellington, PhD, worked with the

Museum’s design and curatorial teams to create a space that will share different elements of African culture with narrative warmed by folkloric connections.

Keith Haring: Against All Odds has brought thousands of visitors to the Museum, representing thirty-six U.S. states and several countries. The exhibition has generated a tremendous amount of positivity and connection to our community in fun and meaningful ways. With just a few more weeks on view, don’t miss the opportunity to visit or revisit this remarkable exhibition.

Our commitment to sharing our art collection, highlighting regional artists, and introducing unique art experiences to diverse audiences has not wavered. We invite viewers to explore all we have to offer.

Thank you for being a member of the Akron Art Museum and for your ongoing and generous support. We look forward to seeing you here soon.

With gratitude,

JON A. FIUME

JOHN S. KNIGHT DIRECTOR AND CEO

4 RETOLD: AFRICAN AMERICAN ART & FOLKLORE

November 4, 2023 – March 24, 2024

7 REFLECTIONS

September 8 – December 17, 2023

8 KEITH HARING: AGAINST ALL ODDS

Through September 24, 2023

10 AMANDA D. KING: LOCUSTS

Through February 4, 2024

12 BARBARA STANCZAK: SPIRIT & MATTER

September 16, 2023 – February 4, 2024 14

Joseph Stella. Tree of My Life, 1919. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of Art Bridges

on the cover: Willie Cole. American Domestic, 2016. Digital pigment print and serigraph on paper. Collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran 236ColW.2. © Willie Cole 2021

Edouard Duval-Carrié. Lost at Sea, 2014. Acrylic, glitter, and resin on aluminum panel. Courtesy of Art Bridges

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore

4, 2023 – MARCH 24, 2024

Tameka Ellington, PhD Guest Curator

African folklore has been around as long as humankind, and the African diaspora in America has added new dimensions to its rich history. Folk stories teach about culture, the mysteries of life, and the survival of a race of people bought and sold who continue to thrive in various aspects of an unjust society.

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore features art from the Wesley and Missy Cochran Collection and focuses on four themes that emerged during the curation process:

Remembering: Many works in the exhibition show artists reminiscing about and yearning for Africa. Remembering home was the strength that got them through the harshest of times.

Religion: The African American story continues to be steeped in religion—from Christianity to spirituality, Orishas, and voodoo. This part of the exhibition features artworks that represent the vast complexity of African American faith-based practices.

Racialization: This section of the exhibition depicts artworks retelling the struggles of African Americans such as redlining, unemployment, mockery, and lynching. African Americans have been marginalized, discriminated

Willie Cole. The Ogun Sisters, 2012. Serigraph/Solar plate on paper. Collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran 236ColW.1. © Willie Cole 2021

NOVEMBER

karl and bertl arnstein galleries

against, and demonized simply for their race — and the story is far from over.

Resistance: The artworks in this part of the exhibition depict family connections, performing arts, and of course the audacity to fight the good fight.

These four themes provide a comprehensive retelling of the works featured in the exhibition. In many of the pieces, the artist’s muse connects closely with stories that have been told generation after generation. Folklore texts are placed throughout the space as a means to retell a richer, deeper story of African American culture.

More than forty artists are represented in the exhibition, all holding one similar truth: their story of joy and struggle in the African American experience.

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore is organized by the Akron Art Museum and supported by funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, The Lehner Family Foundation, Mary and Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust, the John P. Murphy Foundation, and the Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust.

Beverly Buchanan. Pink Windows Are Lucky, undated. Oil pastel on paper. Collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran 30BucB.7.

© Estate of Beverly Buchanan

telling RETOLD: an

interview with guest curator

dr. tameka ellington

Curating an exhibition at the Akron Art Museum allows Tameka Ellington, PhD, to accomplish two things:

“I am excited because I get an opportunity to use my creativity in a way that I love to use it,”

Ellington says. “In turn, this allows me to touch more people in the community than I would have been able to otherwise.”

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore opens on November 5 as the Museum’s next exhibition in the Arnstein galleries. The works are from the Cochran Collection of African American Works on Paper, a personal collection that reflects one couple’s passion for African American art.

“The Cochrans are wonderful people,” Ellington says, having met with them in preparation for RETOLD. “What I love about them the most is that they collect pieces that speak to them and pieces from artists with whom they have friendships.”

Ellington has taken artworks from this collection and added a narrative throughline connecting them to folklore. RETOLD will marry the pieces with stories, experiences, and even the design of the gallery space to create a richly comprehensive exhibition.

Why folklore? “Folklore was a natural progression from the art,” Ellington says. “These stories are important because not all of them may be real, but they give us a better look into African American culture. They have been passed down from generation to generation. Folklore explains why something is the way it is in nature or society.”

As an example, Ellington uses an untitled piece by Jack White that features a person in flight to connect to the folklore of “The People Can Fly.” “Lots of different folk stories talk about Africans being able to fly,” she says. “Most of the time, they were flying back home to Africa. These stories are critically important because they get to the heart of what enslaved Africans were really feeling. Longing for their homeland and for peace.”

Preparing for RETOLD meant that Ellington learned new stories. “There were pieces that brought light to aspects of Black culture that I had no idea about, such as voodoo. I had always heard of voodoo as being ‘evil’ and ‘worshipping the devil.’ What I came to understand is that voodoo is a beautiful religion. Jacob Lawrence is in the RETOLD show, and he created a whole series inspired by the Haitian Revolution.

“The Haitian Revolution was one of the few successful slave revolts in history; the people were able to claim their country and make their oppressors leave. Voodoo was used as a fighting mechanism to scare off colonizers and reclaim the land. Because voodoo was used to escape slavery, colonizers deemed they had lost their slaves because the slaves were worshipping the devil.”

RETOLD will include weighty topics, but Ellington wants guests to experience a different impact. “I want them to walk in the space and feel a warmth and closeness to Africa by seeing the different elements of African culture.”

Matt Hribar Social Content Creator and Public Relations Associate

Jacob Lawrence. Revolt on the Amistad, 1989. Screenprint on paper. Collection of Wesley and Missy Cochran 107LawJ.2

Reflections

ConceptrenderingforSafaraniSisterspainting-AkronArtMuseum

Revised4.16.23

Reflections

Conceptdrawing

September 8 – December 17, 2023

The Bud and Susie Rogers Garden is already a masterpiece. But the Akron Art Museum is adding an exciting mixed-media work by Bahareh and Farzaneh Safarani to further enhance the space. Reflections debuts in the Garden on September 7 and will remain on view through December 17, 2023.

Conceptdrawingwithcolorpalette

Bahareh and Farzaneh, together known as the Safarani Sisters, are twins who began painting at the age of thirteen in Iran. They received BAs in painting from Tehran University before relocating to Boston, where they still live, and earning MFAs at Northeastern University. The Safarani Sisters incorporate painting with video and performance art. Their hybrid works are thought-provoking and transformative experiences that weave loose but striking narratives.

of a diverse group of Akronites—couples, friends, parents with their children—shown talking, smiling, laughing, and just being with one another. The work celebrates the community’s uniqueness, charm, and beauty.

Creative writer and videographer Tyron Hoisten with the Akron Black Artist Guild traveled around the community inviting folks to participate in the artwork. Subjects were shown the sketch (see above) and given the premise of the project and then asked to imagine themselves in the mirror as Hoisten recorded.

The Safarani Sisters hope that viewers are drawn into the scene as active participants. They intend for this piece to be playful, positive, and uplifting, from the color and content to the impressions created.

Thisnewlyrevisedrenderingreflectstherecentfeedbackwereceivedfromthemuseumteam. Wewillpaintalightfilledinteriorthatincludesbrightwindowsandanopendoor.Themirrorwill bethefocalpointofthepainting.Ananonymousfigurewillstandintheforegroundandavideo montageofadiversegroupofAkroniteswillbefeaturedinthemirror.Thecolorpalettewillbe upbeatandlivelyandcreateapositiveandhappyatmosphere.

Reflections is a 7-by-22-foot canvas with a projected video element. While the painting itself is striking, a mirror within the depicted scene is brought to life by a video montage

Visit the Museum’s Garden to view Reflections. The best time to see it is at dusk or during the early evening.

Akronresidentsarewhatmakethecityspecial,unique,andbeautiful.Participantswillbeinvited todoeverydaythings,liketalking,doinghairormakeup,smiling,laughing,lettinggoofa balloon,etc.Theycouldevenappearascouples,aparentandchild,orsmallfriendgroups.The ideaistoletpeopleactnaturallyandbethemselves.Thevideocontentwillfeelplayful,positive,

Reflections is made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with support from the Ohio Arts Council.

Matt Hribar Social Content Creator and Public Relations Associate

KEITH HARING AGAINST ALL ODDS

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

karl and bertl arnstein galleries

Keith Haring: Against All Odds is organized by the Rubell Museum and the Akron Art Museum and is presented by anonymous donors, METRO Regional Transit Authority, Bruce and Erica Greer Foundation, Dana Pulk Dickinson, the John P. Murphy Foundation, The University of Akron, Acme Fresh Market, Mark and Katie Smucker, Akron Summit Convention & Visitor Bureau, Bo and Pam McMillen, Ellen Botnick in Loving Memory of Lisa Botnick, and Welty with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Lehner Family Foundation, Mary and Dr. George L. Demetros Charitable Trust, and the Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust.

Keith Haring. Ignorance = Fear / Silence = Death, 1989. Offset lithograph. Courtesy of The Barack Obama Foundation. © The Keith Haring Foundation

LAST LOOK

Jeff Katzin, PhD Curator

As Keith Haring: Against All Odds heads into its last weeks on view, now seems like an opportune time to reflect on Haring’s continuing artistic and cultural relevance. Out of many potential topics, here are two that I have enjoyed discussing with visitors to the exhibition, and that have become clearer to me as I have spent time with the show.

One of the most prominent ways in which Haring’s art continues to spread is through merchandising, including collaborations with Adidas, Gap, H&M, Uniqlo, and many other brands. The artist always sought to reach broad audiences, and these products do just that, while also channeling funds to charitable causes through the Keith Haring Foundation. Just as importantly, they also extend the fusion of art and commerce that Haring began when he opened his Pop Shop in 1986 to sell T-shirts, posters, and other affordable items. For this pioneering endeavor, he was harshly criticized, accused of diluting his art. But Haring never saw his commercial endeavors as anything but fully compatible with his broader artistic practice. Indeed, he was more comfortable selling a simple T-shirt than an expensive painting. He insisted that art only mattered when it fostered connection and community, and, in this light, he used merchandising to his advantage without losing his work’s sense of earnest sincerity, providing a model that few artists have come close to emulating.

Another crucial component of Haring’s art was awareness and activism. He was a proud and prominent gay artist during the height of the AIDS crisis, and he used his imagery to combat homophobia and assist in protests challenging politicians and institutions that failed to address the epidemic. He also worked against racism, environmental destruction, economic exploitation, and drug addiction. Haring was not the first artist to touch on these topics and, sadly, he will not be the last. Perhaps more significant, however, was his unusual ability to address dire subjects while maintaining the upbeat energy of his visual style. Haring’s work demonstrates that art does not have to become grim in order to be serious. It can remain joyful and optimistic while making an impact. Today, when political divisions can seem impassable and issues may feel depressingly insurmountable, this approach is as valuable as ever.

Keith Haring merchandise by (from top) Uniqlo, Adidas, and GAP

Through

Laura Ruth and Fred Bidwell Gallery

Amanda King. Grandpa's Bedroom, January 20, 2021, 2023. Inkjet print on jacquard duck cotton. Courtesy of Foothill Galleries of the PhotoSuccession, Cleveland, Ohio

Life changed in 2020. We were locked down, masked up, unsure of what was happening and of the protocols that would follow us for the next few years. For Amanda D. King, it was a time of personal grief. In February 2021, she lost her grandfather William C. King Sr. to COVID-19.

“The hospital that my granddad passed in allowed for one family member to be with their loved one,” King says. “I was invited to the hospital to be there with my grandfather. I had the task of comforting my granddad and keeping my family informed. Being a photographer, I could document this for my family. It allowed them to experience what I experienced, in a way that is dignified and beautiful.”

King is no stranger to work that embodies tough subjects. A conceptual artist, cultural strategist, and social justice advocate, she earned a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law and an AB in art history from Bryn Mawr College. She is a studio artist and the co-founder and creative director of Shooting Without Bullets, a nonprofit creative and social enterprise with a mission to address and eliminate inequities in the arts and society.

“My organization is collaborative, advocating across sectors, disciplines, and communities,” she answers when asked about her work with Shooting Without Bullets versus her studio work. “In that enterprise, I am one of many. My studio work translates more quietly. There’s a subtlety that’s rooted more in spirituality.”

Spirituality plays a key part in the framing of Locusts The name of the show is taken from biblical scripture: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust hath eaten . . .” (Joel 2:25). King uses the connection of locusts as a biblical plague to the pandemic.

“It’s a metaphor to talk about the losses of the pandemic and time,” she explains. “We were fighting to value Black lives when the pandemic was at its peak. Images of my grandfather who passed away from COVID-19 at an older age make an important statement; we did overlook how COVID-19 was devastating our elderly population.”

Locusts is an interpretation of loss. As for what guests might interpret, King has many thoughts.

“When you are confronted with something like this, how do you contextualize and find ways of being and navigating through tough stuff? Are you relying on

faith, family, creativity? Are you in community with other folk? How does memory inform history and history inform memory? How does spirituality inform the social? Those are my ways of interpreting challenging moments in my life. And maybe that can sit with people as they walk through the installation.

“If we were all faced with something that seemed so immense that we could not get over or through it, then why are we alive?” she passionately continues. “If the locusts will destroy everything, if the pandemic changes our lives forever, if police brutality is so egregious that Black lives will never be free . . . if we just stop there, what would we be living for?”

Amanda D. King: Locusts issupportedbytheJohnS.and JamesL.KnightFoundation,theOhioArtsCouncil,andMary andDr.GeorgeL.DemetrosCharitableTrust.

Amanda King. Spriggs-Watson Funeral Home, February 19, 2021, 2023. Inkjet print. Courtesy of Foothill Galleries of the PhotoSuccession, Cleveland, Ohio

Matt Hribar Social Content Creator and Public Relations Associate

Barbara Stanczak Spirit & Matter

Barbara Stanczak: Spirit & Matter issupportedbytheJohnS. andJamesL.KnightFoundation,theOhioArtsCouncil,The LehnerFamilyFoundation,MaryandDr.GeorgeL.Demetros CharitableTrust,theJohnP.MurphyFoundation,andthe KennethL.CalhounCharitableTrust.

September 16, 2023 – February 4, 2024

Judith Bear Isroff Gallery

Jeff Katzin, PhD Curator

Barbara Stanczak’s sculptures are born from an essential combination: the artist’s creative vision and the natural qualities of her materials. This two-sided collaboration remains in effect throughout Stanczak’s entire process of conceiving and creating an artwork. A piece of wood or stone presents initial possibilities that help to set a direction, but invariably the course will change—the substance may be so hard as to resist carving, or it may contain internal structures that must be accommodated. But the artist does not surrender her own interests, as she has found that a successful work must become the physical embodiment of a rich and valuable idea. In her own words, “I can only hold onto my idea of the whole by letting go of ‘mine’ and focusing on ‘our.’ The material becomes a partner who needs my patience, respect, thoughtfulness, cooperation, skill, and persistence.”

Stanczak committed to working with wood and stone only after a long process of discovery. Born in Germany in 1941, she moved to the United States in 1960 to assist her grandfather in painting church frescoes, and later worked in handmade paper, metal, and a variety of other media. She also worked alongside her husband, Julian Stanczak, whose paintings and prints were celebrated at the Akron Art Museum with a one-artist show in 2013. As her own career evolved throughout her thirtyseven-year tenure as a professor at the Cleveland Institute of Art, Barbara carved her first wooden sculpture in 1992. “I was tired of searching,” she recalls. “It was time to arrive!”

Stanczak continues to find wood and stone compelling because, as she puts it, they are constantly “teasing, tempting, and provoking me to see more, to see beyond, to see the micro and the macro of the universe.” She finds these universal qualities not in immediately recognizable forms like leaves and flowers, but rather in dense rings and layers, subtle features formed over decades or even thousands of years. As Stanczak exercises her own intuition, she aligns it with these natural processes. As the artist and the materials harmonize, it is as if two forms of intelligence are working together—as if spirit and matter are not so separate as one might expect.

above: Barbara Stanczak. In Rhythm, 2018. Elm and acrylic. Courtesy of the artist

opposite: Barbara Stanczak. Ribbon Dance, 2020. Italian translucent alabaster. Courtesy of the artist

CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS

The Akron Art Library celebrates its fifth birthday this October by adding five artworks to its collection—one for each year. A project of the Akron Art Museum, the Art Library is a collection of original artworks in a variety of mediums—paintings, prints, photographs, and mixed-media works—created by local, regional, and international artists. Any Ohio resident with a library card is eligible to check out artworks from the Akron-Summit County Public Library Main Library, and from the Odom Boulevard, North Hill, and Ellet branches.

The Akron Art Library is displayed at the Main Library, across from the reference desk in the Culture and AV department on the second floor. An artwork can be checked out for a period of four weeks, with up to five renewals if the work has not been reserved by another library patron.

Join us in celebrating the collection’s birthday on Thursday, October 19, from 6 to 9 pm at the AkronSummit County Public Library, Main Branch.

Akron Art Library, organized by the Akron Art Museum and presented in partnership with the Akron-Summit County Public Library, is made possible with generous support from the Huntington-Akron Foundation.

top to bottom: Cheryl Cochran, Star #2, 2023, mixed media on cardboard; Maria Uhase, Perch, 2023, ink on paper; Daniel Issac Bortz, Break from the Stars, 2023, mixed media on paper. All works are collection of the Akron Art Museum Art Library at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

Katelyn Evans Community Programs Lead

COMMUNITY VOICES

This past summer, the Museum launched an off-site and on-site multi-modal community engagement program called Art Connects. Attending regional fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and other events allowed us to connect with community members. During these outreach events, Museum staff arrived in a colorfully designed van containing large-scale reproductions of artworks on loan to the Museum thanks to the Art Bridges Collection Loan Partnership. Team members set up these works along with hands-on, interactive “Pop Carts” featuring optical illusions, vision games, and art-related challenges. Attendees played with and explored the carts, and were also invited to record their thoughts about the artworks.

This fall, those community voices make their debut in the galleries through the use of special directional speakers. The speakers will allow visitors to simply stand in front of a work and hear community members describe their impressions of it. There will also be opportunities to read the community responses while in the galleries.

You may hear your neighbor, your friend, or a new voice as you consider different perspectives and enjoy artwork with fresh eyes. Different community voices will be featured in the galleries throughout the year, so visit often to hear them all.

CURRENT & UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

100 Years of Change

Through September 4, 2023

Keith Haring:

Against All Odds

Through September 24, 2023

Land Jam

Through May 12, 2024

Amanda D. King: Locusts

Through February 4, 2024

Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell Gallery

Reflections

September 8 – December 17, 2023

Bud and Susie Rogers Garden

Barbara Stanczak: Spirit & Matter

September 16, 2023 – February 4, 2024

Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell Gallery

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore

November 4, 2023 – March 24, 2024

Karl and Bertl Arnstein Galleries

Share the Past, Create the Future

Through September 29, 2024

Judith Bear Isroff Gallery

Karl and Bertl Arnstein Galleries

The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation Gallery and Rory and Dedee O’Neil Lobby

Haslinger Family Foundation Galleries

Henry Ossawa Tanner. The Thankful Poor, 1894. Oil on canvas. Collection of Art Bridges

Katelyn Evans Community Programs Lead

Art Connects programming is supported by the Art Bridges Foundation.

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

7 THURSDAY 4 – 6 pm

After-School Studio: Glue Block Printing

Leave your backpack at the door and hop into the studio for some creative fun. This month’s drop-in event for school-age students features a guided art making experience based on the glue block printing technique. Grownups can stay in the studio or head to the galleries to view artwork on their own but must remain on site. Recommended for ages 6 to 12. Registration is requested. FREE.

8 FRIDAY 5 – 9 pm

ArtWalk

Join the Historic Arts District to kick off Rubber City Jazz and Blues Festival weekend! Local musicians, DJs, artists, and food and beverage vendors will lead up to a screening of The Wiz (1978) presented by the Nightlight in the Museum’s Garden. FREE.

8 FRIDAY At sunset Reflections

Reflections by the Safarani Sisters debuts in the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden. Featuring videography of Akron locals, the work is on view through December 17.

12–15 TUESDAY–FRIDAY

19–22 TUESDAY–FRIDAY

1 – 3 pm

Creative Aging Institute: Textiles

Designed exclusively for adults 55+, the Museum’s Creative Aging Institute offers in-depth, quality art making experiences led by local artists. Each eight-day class starts with a crash course in art history, then jumps into hands-on studio experiences, with each participant completing artwork as the class progresses. FREE. Registration is required.

13 WEDNESDAY 10 – 11 am

Coffee with the Artist: Barbara Stanczak

Enjoy coffee and conversation with artist Barbara Stanczak for insight into Spirit & Matter, her exhibition in the Museum’s Isroff Gallery. Registration is required. FREE for members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

14 THURSDAY

6 – 9 pm

Exhibition Celebration:

Locusts: Amanda D. King and Barbara Stanczak: Spirit & Matter

Celebrate Cleveland-based artists Amanda D. King and Barbara Stanczak and their respective solo shows. Enjoy a live gospel performance and conversations with King, Stanczak, and Senior Curator Jeff Katzin. Light refreshments. FREE.

17 SUNDAY

10 – 11 am

Yoga Series:

Mindful Art

Enhance your health and experience the Museum’s current exhibitions. Each month an all-levels yoga class takes place in our galleries. This month is led by certified Akron yoga instructor and owner of Generation Strong, Serenity Messner. Bring a yoga mat and an open, creative mind. Registration is required. FREE for members / $15 for nonmembers, includes admission.

20 WEDNESDAY

11 am – 1 pm

Mess Makers:

Dot Day

“Just make a mark and see where it takes you” –Peter H. Reynolds, author of The Dot In a belated celebration of International Dot Day, park the stroller and wander over to learn, play, and explore creation stations based on the wonders of a dot! Dress for a mess and artistic success. Art smocks provided. Recommended for ages 0 to 5. Registration is required. FREE for member households / $15 for nonmember households.

FAMILY PROGRAMMING ADULT PROGRAMMING

20 WEDNESDAY

6 – 7:30 pm

Sip in the Studio:

Skateboard Design

Join local artist Matt Miller and learn the hands-on process of image transfer to customize your own skateboard. Choose from an assortment of Miller’s original designs inspired by Keith Haring to add a statement to your deck. Class includes a glass of beer or wine and light hors d’oeuvres, plus a blank skateboard deck suitable for either riding or displaying on your wall. Registration is required. $40 for members / $50 for nonmembers.

21 THURSDAY

6:30 – 9 pm

Performance:

Inspired: An Evening of Visual Art and Dance

Akron-based dancer and choreographer Dominic Moore Dunson presents three works, including a new performance inspired by the Keith Haring exhibition, in the Museum’s galleries. Dance Magazine listed Dunson among its “25 to Watch” in 2023; this evening celebrates his impact in the Akron community. FREE.

22 FRIDAY

6 – 9 pm

Keith Haring Farewell Party

We’re saying goodbye to Keith Haring: Against All Odds with a huge party, including photo ops and a make-andtake art project for all ages. Enjoy a DJ, prize giveaways, and a cash bar. FREE for members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

24 SUNDAY

11 am – 5 pm

Keith Haring Last Day

Bring friends and family down for one last look at Keith Haring: Against All Odds

Revisit the iconic exhibition while enjoying a DJ and artistic activities in the lobby. FREE for members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

24 SUNDAY 1 – 3 pm

Creative Aging Institute: Art Show

Celebrate all that was explored, learned, and created by participants during the latest session of the Creative Aging Institute. Enjoy light refreshments while viewing textile-based artworks. FREE for program participants and members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

OCTOBER

2 MONDAY

11 am – 5 pm

North American First People’s Day Celebration

Join us for the Museum’s First Annual North American First People’s Celebration. Come learn more about Indigenous artists in the collection, participate in making nature mandalas, and learn more about native plants in our garden. FREE.

3 TUESDAY

1 – 4 pm

Senior Day at the Museum

Presented by SummaCare and the Akron Community Foundation. Adults 55 and older and the people who love them are invited to visit with representatives from health care, government, and cultural institutions, and from service agencies that work with and for seniors in Summit County. Pop-up tours of the galleries throughout the event. Registration is requested. FREE.

5 THURSDAY 4 – 6 pm

After School Open Studio: Wet Felting

Leave your backpack at the door and hop into the studio for some creative fun. This month’s drop-in event for school-age students features a guided art making experience based on the textile technique of wet felting. This particular technique will require the entire two hours, so please arrive on time. Grown-ups can stay in the studio or head to the galleries to view artwork on their own but must remain on site. Recommended for ages 6 to 12. Registration is requested. FREE.

5 THURSDAY 6 – 9 pm

Reelabilities Film Festival

Presented by the Akron-Summit County Public Library, this FREE evening includes two short films, Soul (signs) Opera and Imagined Touch, as well as a speaker presentation. For accommodation information, email kevans@ akronartmuseum.org.

7 SATURDAY

10 – 11 am

Coffee with the Artist: Barbara Stanczak

Join curator Dr. Jeff Katzin for coffee and conversation with Barbara Stanczak about her exhibition, Spirit & Matter. After coffee, the group will head up to the galleries to view the show. Registration is required. FREE for members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

10–13 TUESDAY–FRIDAY

17–20 TUESDAY–FRIDAY

1 – 3 pm

Creative Aging Institute: Nontraditional Materials

Designed exclusively for adults 55+, the Museum’s Creative Aging Institute offers in-depth, quality art making experiences led by local artists. Each eight-day class starts with a crash course in art history, then jumps into hands-on studio experiences, with each participant completing artwork as the class progresses. Registration is required. FREE.

12 THURSDAY

5 – 8 pm

Family Day: Outdoor Family Movie Night

Wear your PJs and bring a lovey and your favorite blanket for outdoor movies in the Museum’s garden. Families will first create film-inspired artworks, then relax and enjoy some popcorn as they take in a collection of imaginative short films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Registration is requested. FREE.

15 SUNDAY

10 – 11 am

Yoga Series: Mindful Art

Enhance your health and experience the Museum’s current exhibitions. Each month an all-levels yoga class takes place in our galleries. This month is led by certified Akron yoga instructor and owner of Generation Strong, Serenity Messner. Bring a yoga mat and an open, creative mind. Registration is required. FREE for members / $15 for nonmembers, includes admission.

18 WEDNESDAY

10 – 11 am

Coffee with a Curator: RETOLD Preview

with Dr. Tameka Ellington

Join guest curator Dr. Tameka Ellington for coffee, conversation, and an exclusive preview of RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore. Guests will get a sneak peek and behind-the-scenes details of the exhibition. Registration is required. FREE for members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

18 WEDNESDAY

11 am – 1 pm

Mess Makers: Green Day

Wear your best “groutfit” (green outfit), park the stroller, and wander over to learn, play, and explore creation stations based on one of our favorite colors: GREEN! Dress for a mess and artistic success. Art smocks provided. Recommended for ages 0 to 5. Registration is required. FREE for member households / $15 for nonmember households.

19 THURSDAY 6 – 9 pm

Akron Art Library’s Fifth Birthday Celebration

Preview the newest additions to the Art Library collection at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main Branch and hear from some of the collection’s artists on the importance of the arts in Akron, their creations for the Akron Art Museum Art Library, and collecting local art. FREE.

19 THURSDAY 6 – 7:30 pm

Sip in the Studio: Zentangle Gourd Workshop

Join April Couch, certified zentangle teacher and owner of Totally Tangled Creations, to learn the art of zentangle design inspired by the Museum’s upcoming exhibition RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore. Class includes a glass of beer or wine and light hors d’oeuvres, plus all the supplies needed to zentangle a gourd ornament. Registration is required. $30 for members / $40 for nonmembers, includes admission.

22 SUNDAY

1 – 3 pm

Creative Aging Institute: Art Show

Celebrate all that was explored, learned, and created by participants during the latest session of the Creative Aging Institute. Enjoy light refreshments while viewing artworks based on nontraditional materials. FREE for program participants and members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

CALENDAR (CONT.)

NOVEMBER

2 THURSDAY

4 – 6 pm

After School Open Studio: Cardboard Creations

Leave your backpack at the door and hop into the studio for some creative fun. This month’s drop-in event for school-age students features a guided art making experience using recycled materials, especially cardboard! Grown-ups can stay in the studio or head to the galleries to view artwork on their own but must remain on site. Recommended for ages 6 to 12. Registration is requested. FREE.

2 THURSDAY

6 – 7:30 pm

Happy Hour with the Collection

Join curator Dr. Jeff Katzin for happy hour and lively conversation about our permanent collection, and the works currently on view. Before heading upstairs to explore the collection, guests will enjoy the perfect seasonal cocktail paired with tapas presented by Robert J. Events & Catering with Four Dogs Distilling. Registration is required. $25 for members/ $35 for nonmembers, includes admission.

3 FRIDAY

7 – 8:30 pm

Member Preview: RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore

Before it opens to the public, preview this exhibition from the Cochran Collection of African American Works on Paper curated by Dr. Tameka Ellington. Dr. Ellington connects the works with stories and experiences from traditional folklore. Visitors are invited to feel a warmth and closeness to Africa by seeing different elements of African culture. Complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Registration is required. FREE for members / $20 for nonmembers, includes admission.

9 THURSDAY

6 – 9 pm

Exhibition Celebration:

RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore

Explore the new exhibition curated by Dr. Tameka Ellington during an evening of activities, including a talk by artist Curlee Raven Holton, tours of the galleries, and a performance by local dancers. FREE. Registration recommended.

15 WEDNESDAY

10 – 11 am

Coffee with a Curator: Dr. Tameka Ellington

Join guest curator Dr. Tameka Ellington for coffee and conversation about RETOLD: African American Art & Folklore. After coffee, the group will head up to the galleries to view the exhibition. Registration is required. FREE for members / $12 for nonmembers, includes admission.

15 WEDNESDAY

11 am – 1 pm

Mess Makers: Line Day

Park the stroller and wander over to learn, play, and explore creation stations all about LINE! Little ones will create artworks with squiggles, zigzags, swoops, and swirls. Dress for a mess and artistic success. Art smocks provided. Recommended for ages 0 to 5. Registration required. FREE for member households / $15 for non-member households.

19 SUNDAY

10 – 11 am

Yoga Series: Mindful Art

Enhance your health and experience the Museum’s current exhibitions. Each month an all-levels yoga class takes place in our galleries. This month is led by a certified yoga instructor from HARVEST yoga + wellness studio. Bring a yoga mat and an open, creative mind. Registration is required. FREE for members / $15 for nonmembers, includes admission.

26 SUNDAY

11 am – 5 pm

Artist Sunday in the Historic Arts District

The Historic Arts District—the neighborhood surrounding and including the Museum—will be bustling in support of Northeast Ohio artists and makers. Most activity will occur at Summit Artspace; the Museum’s galleries will be open and FREE, with a scavenger hunt.

FAMILY PROGRAMMING ADULT PROGRAMMING

30 THURSDAY

6 – 7:30 pm

Sip in the Studio: Cookie Decorating

Get ready for the festive season by learning professional cookie decorating techniques with Sarah Mentzer, owner of Custom Cookies by Sarah M. Class includes a glass of beer or wine and light hors d’oeuvres, plus all the supplies needed to decorate a half dozen seasonal cutout cookies. Registration is required. $40 for members / $50 for nonmembers, includes admission.

Members will be asked to show their membership or Business membership at the front door. To make sure your membership is valid, please email ksmith@ akronartmuseum.org. To become a member, visit akronartmuseum .org/membership.

KIDS MAKER FEST

Sunday, December 3 11 am – 3 pm

Calling all childhood creatives! The Akron Art Museum invites you to Kids Maker Fest, an event featuring young vendors who have used their skills to create artwork, products, inventions, and more for you to browse and buy. Choose something for yourself or pick up a holiday gift for a friend, all while supporting the community’s budding business owners.

Visit the Museum’s website or email Joanne Wright at jwright@akronartmuseum.org to register as a vendor by November 1.

Family Days are made possible by PNC with additional support from the Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation, The R.C. Musson and Katharine M. Musson Charitable Foundation, Synthomer Foundation, Laura R. and Lucian Q. Moffitt Foundation, Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation, and the Henry V. and Frances W. Christenson Foundation.

Joanne Wright Educator, Youth and Family

A “Social Story” is a tool that helps individuals prepare for a specific experience by explaining what will happen and what they can expect. Social Stories were originally developed for children with autism, but are useful for all children when embarking on new experiences.

Use the story below before visiting the Museum’s Open Studio, and check our website for other Social Stories that apply to a variety of Museum experiences.

Today I will be going to Open Studio at the Museum!

When I enter the Museum, my grown-up and I will be greeted at the front desk. My grown-up will help us check in with a Museum worker.

My grown-up and I will stay together as we walk to Open Studio. We will walk through a gallery with bright colors and big sculptures on our way. When we enter Open Studio, we will see clouds, a tent, and even a giant beanbag! We may also see other grown-ups and children playing together.

I will see a pink wall where I can practice weaving on a giant loom.

I will spy lots of blocks to play with and books to read.

I will explore and touch the fun things on the sensory shelf. I will play with glow-in-the-dark colors as I create, stack, and dress up in the black-light room.

When I am done, I will clean up after myself so other friends can enjoy Open Studio too!

Open Studio is made possible by PNC with additional support from the Kathy Moses Salem Philanthropic Fund of Akron Community Foundation, Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation, the Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Foundation, Synthomer Foundation, and the Henry V. and Frances W. Christenson Foundation.

CREATIVE AGING INSTITUTE AT THE AKRON ART MUSEUM

Gina Thomas McGee Director of Education and Community Engagement

In August the Museum hosted the inaugural session of the Creative Aging Institute, an initiative designed for adults 55+. The eight-class series focused on exploring photography. Participants began with an overview of photography in the Museum’s collection, which spans works from the time when artists first began using cameras through those made by photographers living and working today.

Then, contemporary photographers Amber N. Ford and Jess Fijalkovich led participants through art-making sessions. Fijalkovich, an experimental photographer and book artist based in Akron, is an independent curator and archivist and a co-organizer of bARTer, an art trading network for artists that encourages the building of nonhierarchical art collections and communities. Her artwork merges these practices and attempts to connect the dots in the shifting constellation of identity, collective memory, and material culture. Ford is an artist and freelance photographer based in Cleveland. While her practice is primarily in digital photography, she continues to explore other mediums such as alternative photographic processes, printmaking, and collage art. Her work explores Blackness, identity, and culture while questioning the accepted idealized conceptualization of “truth.”

At the end of the session, participants celebrated with family and friends at their art show and reception. The experience was inspiring for museum staff and participants alike, serving as a reminder that creativity and art can be a part of our everyday lives—and that it is never too late to learn something new.

Upcoming sessions will focus on textiles (September) and nontraditional materials (October). Each eightsession series features insights and behind-the-scenes information about the Museum’s collection, as well as hands-on art making led by regional artists. To register, visit the Museum’s website or contact Merry Petroski, Creative Aging Institute project manager, at mpetroski@ akronartmuseum.org.

The Creative Aging Institute is supported by E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.

CREATING THE

THE NEXT 100 YEARS

THANKS FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL AUCTION

Creating the Future, the Museum’s 27th Annual Wine Auction, brought a spirited evening of fabulous art, fine wines by Fess Parker, culinary pairings, and immersive entertainment, along with incredible Silent, Grand Cru, and Live Auction offerings. This annual event is crucial to the ongoing success of the Museum, and this year it would not have been possible without the leadership of our 2023 Auction chairs, Laura and Nevin Nussbaum, the talented Auction committee, and our Auction sponsors. We are grateful to the Lehner Family Foundation for presenting the event, and the generosity of our community, corporate partners, and patrons has been equally unmatched. Your support is the essential foundation for the Museum’s mission to invite all people to enrich their lives through modern and contemporary art.

Hickory Harvest Foods

Drew & Laura Engles

Dianne & Herb Newman

Oswald Companies

KeyBank Foundation

Alison & Chris Baranek | Berkshire

Hathaway Stouffer Realty

The Huntington National Bank

Advanced Insurance Designs Inc.

JEFF AND LISA BRUNO

ENERGY

Akron Community Foundation

Dean Erickson, MD MPH

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC

SeibertKeck Insurance Partners

Broadleaf Partners, LLC

Tom & Stacy Waldron

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Lexus of Akron/Canton

Cardinal Praking

Timothy Sheahan & Dawn Johnson

Darby & Laura Duryea

First National Bank

S.A. Comunale Co.

Judge Kathryn Michael

Joseph Kisha

Amp Strategy

Graves Lumber

SVN Summit Commercial Real Estate Advisors

Gregory Hail

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Kate Myers

Customer Development Manager, Plus-Plus USA Wadsworth, OH

WhendidyoufirstgetinvolvedwiththeAkronArtMuseum?

I became a member this past January. I’m always looking for new experiences and when I found the Yoga Series: Mindful Art, a good friend encouraged me to become a member so that I could participate in the series right away for free. I enjoyed my first experience so much that I have continued to attend every month.

How has the Museum impacted you and your family?

It’s inspired me to continue to feed my creative soul by participating in monthly events and to take time afterward to explore the beautiful pieces in the galleries. We are so fortunate to have such a great place in the area that offers both awe-inspiring works of art and programs that inspire creativity for kids and adults. I look forward to sharing more experiences here with my son and watching him explore and find his own journey.

WhatMuseumprogramsdoyoufindmostenjoyable?

I frequently participate in the Yoga Series: Mindful Art, Sip in the Studio, and Family Days. I look forward to yoga because each experience brings awareness of different works of art depending on where I choose to lay my mat. All of the yoga instructors have been wonderful and have provided an invigorating flow within a creative space that has taken me on a unique personal journey each time. I’ve especially enjoyed practicing yoga in the gallery with the Keith Haring subway drawings. I definitely have my favorites and I will miss them when they leave in September.

During the Sip in the Studio series, I enjoy getting to know the people who work at the Museum. I continue to meet new, fun, and creative people at each event. I am inspired by the artist instructors and have learned something from each one.

Are particular works in the collection or in exhibitions special to you?

My favorite piece, which I visit like an old friend whenever I am at the Museum, is PondSpringAwakening–1972 by Alma Thomas. I was immediately drawn to this stunning visual work the moment I saw it. It’s fun to walk toward it and then away from it. The view changes before your eyes. My second favorite is Welcome—the metal circle sculpture outside with two people inside reaching for each other. I love looking at it from inside the Museum from multiple angles on different floors. And, right now, I am fully immersed in everything that the fantastic KeithHaring:AgainstAllOdds exhibition has to offer. I have walked through it many times, and each time has been a new and magical experience.

Sharea story or memory about the Museum.

It’s hard for me to share just one story or one memory. Each event has provided its own story and connection to different works and unique, inventive people. After yoga in one of the galleries, I feel inspired and invigorated to keep on finding creative activities for the rest of the day.

Creating Valentine cards and making wax seals brought me back to everything I have always loved about card making. When painting on the mural created by Matt Miller, I momentarily felt like an artist and I appreciate the finished print he provided to everyone at the end of the class. Picking out succulents and building the garden outdoors in May with my nine-yearold son was extra special; he had so much fun he wanted to come again. The latest event, creating Keith Haring-inspired earrings out of polymer clay, made me appreciate all the details and time that go into making jewelry.

I look forward to sharing and participating in many more programs in this wonderful creative space.

The Akron Art Museum is grateful for the support of our members. In each issue we highlight a member, sharing their perspective with our readers.

ARTISTS WHO TEACH

Sloane King Owen Educator, School Programs

When a teacher takes their students on a field trip to the Akron Art Museum, our amazing team of gallery teachers, museum guides, docents, and educators all work together to spark the imagination and curiosity of these young people. We present new ideas, raise new questions, and introduce new interests they might not have known they had, with the hope that their Museum experiences may inspire them to become artists of the next generation. But the real unsung heroes in the development of creative young people are the artist-teachers who guide them all year long in their schools and classrooms.

These “artists who teach” share their passions and experiences to develop students. An example is Julienne Hogarth, an artist-teacher in Summit County who taught at Miller South, NIHF-STEM, and Firestone High School for more than two decades before retiring. “One of the basic things I’ve learned, that I push on to students, is color theory background,” she says. “I never let them use black or brown paint; I always insist that they create new colors.” In addition to the practical aspects of arts education, Hogarth wants students to learn how art is ingrained in everything. “Live and honor life through art and creativity,” she says. “Approach everything in a creative manner.”

More than anything, students have changed the way Hogarth works. “When I was teaching full-time, the students’ work often impacted my own work, rather than my work impacting my teaching. Their enthusiasm, willingness, and inspiration. They brought me ideas and artists I’d never heard of before.”

This winter, the Akron Art Museum will recognize these educators with a creative showcase: Artists Who Teach, a Night at the Museum exhibition of works by the teachers and educators of Northeast Ohio. This show will take place on Thursday, January 18, from 5 to 8 pm. Submission is open to all K–12 educators, student teachers, and classroom aides.

Submissions are limited to two pieces per artist and must be received by December 30, 2023. To enter, visit www .akronartmuseum.org/teachersandschools. Questions can be directed to Sloane King Owen, Educator, School Programs, at skingowen@akronartmuseum.org.

Energize for Educators events are made possible by the FirstEnergy Foundation.

Julienne Hogarth (left), along with fellow teacher Susan Yingling; Carole Genshaft, Curator-atLarge, Columbus Museum of Art; artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson; and former AAM curator Barbara Tannenbaum at the opening of an exhibition of Hogarth’s students’ work in 2009.

ART WORKS BUSINESS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT METRO RTA

Dawn Distler, CEO Transportation and mobility solutions Akron, OH

Why does your business support the Akron Art Museum?

METRO supports the arts community in general and looks for ways to partner with area art groups and organizations. We have rotating public art displays at our Transit Center in downtown Akron and have allowed our bus shelters to be used as canvases to enhance neighborhoods in our service areas. Giving back to our community in a variety of ways is vital to our future and our ability to continue to offer fair and equitable services.

I also like that the Akron Art Museum and METRO’s Transit Center are two modern structures welcoming people on different sides of the downtown Akron footprint. We help balance out the landscape of the area, one that’s rich in history but moving forward in innovative and captivating ways.

What benefit of Art Works Business Membership do you most appreciate?

The biggest benefit is the ability to stop in and see the displays and get inspired by all the Akron Art Museum

has to offer. Creativity and inspiration come in many forms and present themselves in a variety of ways. The Museum engages all the senses. It is a vibrant part of the ever-changing backdrop of downtown Akron.

Why is the Museum important for individuals, families, communities, and your employees?

The Museum is important because the arts are important. Any one person, community, or organization is better because of the arts. The arts offer a wellrounded outlook and are a true reflection of the people in the community. Akron is known for many things, and the Museum is vital to embracing a community of openminded freethinkers who truly value artful experiences.

Are particular works in the collection or in exhibitions special to you?

Obviously, the Keith Haring exhibition is near and dear to our hearts at METRO. His art started on the streets and seemed a perfect way for us to partner with the Museum to further its reach. We were honored to be approached and enjoyed brainstorming ways to further ignite the passion for his work. The fully wrapped bus

ART WORKS BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS

For 100 years, the Akron Art Museum has been able to realize its vision thanks to the dedication of the community. Demonstrate your company’s commitment to the arts with an Art Works Business Membership at the Akron Art Museum. Corporate support is critical to the Museum’s ability to present its world-class exhibitions and acclaimed education programs. In return for your generous support, our Art Works Business Membership program provides special benefits and recognition specifically designed to meet the needs of your business.

At the Akron Art Museum, we believe that art is for everyone. Because our mission invites all people to enrich their lives through modern and contemporary art, we believe access is essential. We’re continually working to make meaningful art experiences available to everyone we engage with.

The Akron Art Museum participates in the national Museums for All program, an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. We offer a reduced admission rate to the galleries to any guest who presents their state-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card upon arrival.

For current admission prices and hours, check our website at akronartmuseum.org/visit.

By joining the national Museums for All program, we hope to offer expanded access to art experiences and better serve underrepresented members of our community. To see a national list of participating institutions, visit childrensmuseums.org/participating-museums.

is a magnificent example of how you can take the arts to the streets and create an artful experience just about anywhere. I guess you could say we are driven to see our community succeed and to do what we can to assist in a shared vision. The smattering of Keith Haring characters and dogs has truly elevated the presence of our shelters all over town.

I cannot wait until there is an exhibition on public transportation, though. I’ll be there for that one for sure!

Do you have a story or memory to share about the Museum?

My favorite memory is not one I experienced, but one I helped others experience. During my time as a downtown bus operator, many of my passengers were headed to the Akron Art Museum. I always enjoyed seeing families, college students, older adults, and people just like me headed to the Museum for a day out. Shared experiences are some of the most memorable ones. Being a part of someone’s experience is an honor I do not take lightly.

Join our list of companies demonstrating support for the arts in our community. Listing as of June 30, 2023.

Akron Coffee Roasters

Akron Dermatology

Akron RubberDucks

Albrecht Incorporated

AMP Strategy

Andy Rock Fine Art Services

BLU-Tique Hotel

Brennan Manna & Diamond

Broadleaf Partners LLC

Chill Ice Cream/Indulge Chocolates

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center

Dennis Painting, LLC

Emery Electric Inc.

Generation Strong

Greater Akron Chamber

Harvest Yoga and Wellness Studio

Harwick Standard Distribution Corp.

J.M. Smucker Co.

Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP

Metis Construction Services

Metro Regional Transit Authority

Mustard Seed Market & Café

Ohio CAT

Presper Financial Architects

[Roke]star Entertainment

Robert J. Events and Catering

Roderick, Linton, Belfance, LLP

Russ Burns Custom Wallpaper and Painting

S.A. Comunale Company Inc.

ScanWorks

Securitec Security Systems

SeibertKeck Insurance Partners

Sikich LLP

Star Printing Co. Inc.

State and Federal Communications Inc.

Summa Health System

TKM Print Solutions

The University of Akron

Williams Hardwood Flooring

XpenseSolutions Energy Advisory Services

Join

Photos by Mackenzie Nagel Photography

Newlyweds Anne and Austin

Matt Hribar Social Content Creator and Public Relations Associate

Anne and Austin were not that familiar with the Akron Art Museum before their wedding, but they were instantly attracted to its extraordinary beauty.

“I did extensive research on ‘out of the box’ venues around the Akron/Canton area and ultimately landed on the Akron Art Museum,” Anne explains. “I was looking for a unique and creative way to express our love for each other on our big day.”

The couple wanted to forgo a typical ballroom experience and turn their wedding day into a gala. From the moment they first visited, the atmosphere of the Museum felt just like that.

“The Museum gave us a lot of flexibility to bring our vision to life,” Anne says. “The staff was so accommodating to our ideas, some traditional and some out of the ordinary. Ultimately, it was the perfect backdrop for the entire vibe that we were going for, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out.”

A special guest appeared during the outdoor ceremony. Anne surprised her partner by having their dog walk down the aisle.

“Our dog is a huge part of our life together,” Anne says, “and I knew that I wanted to somehow include him in our special day. As I was about to say my vows, one of our good friends sent the dog down the aisle to surprise Austin. He was the perfect addition to our already perfect ceremony!”

Between the gorgeous photos, the dog, and the ceremony itself, was there any other stand-out moment?

“One cherished memory is how my dad and I walked from the top of the garden all the way down to the aisle during the ceremony. It was an unexpected way to walk down the aisle that no one knew about except a select few. It was such a cool view looking down and seeing all the people that we love and who love us.”

Wedding Open House

SUNDAY,

OCTOBER 1

11 am – 1 pm

See how you can bring your wedding to life at the Akron Art Museum’s Wedding Open House. Join us for an afternoon filled with guided site tours, complimentary champagne and desserts, a fun wedding craft, and raffles for your chance to win discounts. Registration is required. FREE. See the website for more information.

Photo by Kropp Photography

Photo by EM Event Photography

Akron Art Museum is proud to extend free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families all year long.

ON VIEW NOW SHARE THE PAST, CREATE THE FUTURE: SELECTIONS FROM THE AKRON ART MUSEUM COLLECTION

This free admission program is available to any bearer of a CAC military ID, a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active-duty U.S. military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members.

The military ID holder can be either an active-duty service member or a dependent family member with the appropriate ID card. The active-duty member does not have to be present for family members to use the program.

Elijah Pierce. The Wise and Foolish Virgins and Four Other Scenes, c. 1942. Carved and painted wood relief with glitter. Collection of the Akron Art Museum, Museum Acquisition Fund and funds from Beatrice K. McDowell and the Graves Foundation 1993.13

THANK YOU

The Akron Art Museum thanks everyone who supports us through annual gifts, membership, event sponsorship, and special contributions. The listing below recognizes those individuals and institutions supporting the Museum with cash gifts and pledges, and celebrates our Director’s Circle (*) and membership (bold text) for their meaningful commitment to supporting creativity in Akron.

Listing as of June 30, 2023.

Akron Art Museum thanks the following organizations for operating support:

Huntington-Akron Foundation

In celebration of Ann G. and Ronald C. Allan

John P. Murphy Foundation

Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitable Trust

Mary and Dr. George L. Demetros

Charitable Trust

Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation

Thomas Merryweather*

Metro Regional Transit Authority

Chris and Randy Myeroff*

Stephen and Celeste Myers*

Dianne and Herbert Newman*

Oscar Fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation

Peg’s Foundation

PNC Akron

Sandra L. and Dennis B. Haslinger Family Foundation

Sequoia Financial Group

Mark and Katie Smucker*

Joe Swiatkowski

The University of Akron

$1,000 – $9,999

Advanced Insurance Designs

Akron Dermatology

Akron Pediatric Surgical Associates Inc.

Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors

$50,000 and above

Akron Community Foundation

Art Bridges

C. Blake Jr. and Beatrice K. McDowell Foundation

E.A. Michelson Philanthropy

GAR Foundation

The Howland Memorial Fund

The J.M. Smucker Co.

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Lehner Family Foundation

Ohio Arts Council

$10,000 – $49,999

Adam Fund of the Akron Community Foundation

Ann Allan

Roland and Mary Bauer*

Lyn and Mark Bober*

Bruce and Erica Greer Foundation

The Bowman Fund

Cohen & Company, CPAs

Dana Pulk Dickinson*

F.W. Albrecht Family Foundation

FirstEnergy Foundation

Tom and Amy Haught

Bureau

Albrecht Incorporated

Ann Amer Brennan*

Hamilton Amer*

David and Rose Andrews*

Marissa Andrews

Laura and Scott Ankrom

Anonymous

Anonymous

John and Kathy Arther

Audio-Technica U.S. Inc.

Patricia Austen*

Laura Baranek

Bruce Bennett and Ron Williams*

Meghan and Tim Beringer*

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Stouffer Realty

James and Maddy Berlin*

Myrna Berzon*

Bober, Markey, Fedorovich

Robert and Lynda Bonchack

Ellen Botnick in Loving Memory of Lisa Botnick*

Roxia and Stanley Boykin*

Nancy Brennan*

Brennan Manna & Diamond

Robert and Alyssa Briggs*

Broadleaf Partners LLC

Jeffrey and Lisa Bruno*

Maurice and Joyce Buchanan*

Frances Buchholzer*

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLC

Jason and Lauren Butterworth

C. Colmery Gibson Polsky Fund of the Akron Community Foundation

Cardinal Parking

Valerie Carlier

Dr. Anne Caveny and Dr. Wayne Hedrick*

Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation

Cleveland Clinic Akron General

Stephen Comunale*

Belinda Cox

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center

Karen Daverio*

Diane Davis-Sikora and Edward J. Sikora*

Amy and Drew Dawson

Tracy and Donna Dowe

Laura Duryea

Courtney Eaton

Energy Harbor

Dr. Drew and Laura Engles*

Dean Erickson, MD MPH*

William and Karen Feth*

First National Bank

Jerome Fiume

Jon A. Fiume and Mark Muñoz*

John V. Frank*

Dr. Michael Frank*

Tamara Fynan*

Dr. Gayle Galan

Nicholas and Ruthie George*

Gertrude F. Orr Trust Advised Fund of Akron Community Foundation

Glenn R. and Alice V. Boggess Memorial Foundation

Graves Lumber Company

Bruce and Erica Greer*

Gregory Hail and Matthew Culler

Douglas and Danielle Harley*

Richard and Tatiana Harris III*

Iris and Tom Harvie*

Harwick Standard Distribution Corp.

Douglas and Myriam Haslinger*

Sandra Haslinger*

Henry V. and Frances W. Christenson Foundation

Barbara H. Herberich*

Hickory Harvest Foods

Barry and Molly Holtzer*

Paige and William Hoover*

Donna and Jonathan Horvath

Kathy Hummel

David and Margaret Hunter*

Jackie and Bruce Davey Family Foundation

James B. Oswald Co.

Jean P. Wade Foundation

Jones Group Interiors Inc.

Jill and John Judge*

Dr. Lindsay and Michael Kahlenberg

Kathy Moses Salem Fund of Akron Community Foundation

Robert Kerper and Susan Locke*

KeyBank Foundation

Joseph Kisha and Chase Stewart

George and Susan Klein*

David and Nancy Koly

Jeffrey and Sandra Kornick*

Dr. Steven L. Kutnick and Jackie Derrow*

Barbara Carroll LaRose

Laura R. and Lucian Q. Moffitt Foundation

Dr. Mark and Pam Leeson*

Bette and Bernard Leff*

Lexus of Akron/Canton

Linda and Paul Liesem*

Lisle M. Buckingham Endowment Fund

Philip and Peggy Lloyd*

Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation

Dr. Larry and Mary Lohman*

Neil and Susan Luria*

M. G. O’Neil Foundation

Mitchell McKinney and Bryan

Pepper*

Pamela and Robert McMillen*

Babette Medcalf

Meghan Meeker and Scott Roger

Metis Construction Services

Judge Kathryn Michael

Pamela and Richard Michelson Jr.*

Melissa Mihalek

Kristine Mogen*

Dr. Eliot and Michelle Mostow

Mustard Seed Market & Café

Net Revenue Associates, LLC

Judy Nicely*

Nevin and Laura Nussbaum*

Ohio CAT

Dedee O’Neil*

Patience O’Neil and David Fisch

Anne and Don Palmer*

Dr. Nirali Patel and Nirav Shah

Patricia and Charles Mintz

Philanthropic Fund

Catherine Posner

Ernest Pouttu

R.C. and Katharine Musson Charitable Foundation

Lauren Race

Roger and Sally Read*

Roderick, Linton, Belfance, LLP

Dr. Duane and Earline Roe*

Richard and Alita Rogers*

Bruce and Ann Rowland*

Maureen Russell*

Michael Russell*

S.A. Comunale Company Inc.

Kathy Salem*

Beth Sanders*

David and Kathy Sands*

Jennifer and Michael Saxon*

David Scarponi and Tish Hite*

Brad and Renee Schroeder

SeibertKeck Insurance Partners

Selman Family Fund II of the Chicago Community Foundation

Jeffrey Shackelford

Shaw Memorial Fund of Akron Community Foundation

Dr. Patricia and James Sheahan*

Tim Sheahan

Elizabeth and Timothy Sheeler*

Sisler McFawn Foundation

Christine and James Skakun

James Slater*

Sandra Roe Smith*

Springside Athletic Club

R. Thomas and Meg Harris Stanton*

Jane and Theodore Stathopoulos

Bill and Trish Steere*

Cathy and Glen Stephens

Summa Health System

Mary and Steve Swann

Synthomer Foundation

John and Vera Vander Kooi*

Bob Vogel*

Alex and Phil Vukoder*

Charles and April Walton*

Welty Building Company Ltd.

Welty Family Foundation

Sarah Woodrow

Suzanne Woods and John Pickle*

Lindsey and Reid Yoder

$250 – $999

750 ml Wine Boutique and Wine Bar

Akrochem Corporation

Akron Coffee Roasters

Akron-Summit County Public Library

Sophie and Steve Albrecht

AMP Strategy

Andy Rock Fine Art Services

One South High I Akron, Ohio I 44308 TEL 330.376.9186

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akronartmuseum.org

Horace Pippin. Holy Mountain, I, 1944. Oil and sand on canvas. Courtesy of Art Bridges