Month: August 2023

Celebrate Creativity & Community at Kenmore First Friday on September 1st.

August 2023 • 2 minutes

by Corey Jenkins, Better Kenmore CDC

Photo by Shane Wynn

The 2023 Kenmore First Friday season has drawn some of the largest crowds in the history of

the event and brought some of the region’s best musicians, makers, vendors, and creatives to Kenmore Boulevard. The schedule for the final Kenmore First Friday of 2023 on September 1st is packed with live music, food and fun, and will be a true celebration of creativity and community unlike any other event this summer.

For starters, Summit Artspace will bring a mini market featuring the works of area artists,

Kenmore Girl Scout Troop 90187 will sell sidewalk spaces for kids to decorate with chalk, Let’s Grow Akron will bring a sampling of what they offer at their Summit Lake farmer’s markets, and Trillium Schools of Music will host performances from the next generation of rock stars in the McCutchan Courtyard, while Glory in the Beat, Akron Dream Center, and First Glance continue to present hip hop and urban expression artists at the Kenmore Branch Library.

Akron-based retro-futuristic goth-classic rock quintet Church of Starry Wisdom headlines Kenmore First Friday at 8 p.m. on September 1. Photo by Jason Chamberlain/JVC Photography

Speaking of music, the 15th Street Main Stage will host Glenn Lazear and Church of Starry

Wisdom – two of Akron’s most unique and original bands. Additionally, singer/songwriter Rami Feinstein and Zach & The Bright Lights will play at The Rialto Theatre, while Buzzbin hosts live music throughout the event and into the night – including Kenmore First Friday alums The Tenants.

“Kenmore First Fridays are the perfect opportunity to experience The BLVD in all its glory,”

said Josh Gippin, Better Kenmore CDC executive director. “My vision for the future is for every day on Kenmore Blvd. to feel as fun and lively as it does on Kenmore First Friday.”

The September 1st Kenmore First Friday will feature food from Ogarth’s Kitchen, Dee’s Dogs, House of Tacos, Kitchen 212º and Kona Ice, as well as beer from Magic City Brewing Company in the Kenmore Beer Garden located on 15th Street in front of the main stage.

Kenmore First Fridays are FREE and presented by Better Kenmore CDC, Kenmore Chamber ofCommerce and County of Summit ADM Board, with additional support from Akron Civic Commons,Peg’s Foundation, Apollo Supply Co., City of Akron, Kenmore Komics & Games, United Way, The Summit FM, Akron Dream Center, Akron Promise, Akron RubberDucks, Bi-02-Tek Services, Big Love Network, Fastenal, First Glance, Glory in the Beat, Innes CLC, Pierre’s Brooklyn Pizza & Deli, Primo’s Deli, Portage Path Behavioral Health,Regina’s Pizza, Rocco’s Pizza, Showcase Meats, Thomas C. Loepp Law Offices, and Trillium Schools of Music.

Visit betterkenmore.org/first-friday for the full lineup, event map, and more information.

Meet Summit Artspace: Our September Kenmore First Friday Market Partner!

August 2023 • 3 minutes

In 2015, the one-time Akron Area Arts Alliance was reborn as Summit Artspace – an organization that connects artists and artist-serving organizations to the community and to the resources they need to thrive.

On Friday, September 1, Summit Artspace will bring a mini-market to Kenmore Blvd. featuring local artists showing and selling their art from 6 – 9 p.m. during Kenmore First Friday.

We caught up with Heather Meeker, Summit Artspace executive director, to learn more about the organization and what Kenmore First Friday attendees can expect.

What kinds of artists will Summit Artspace feature at its mini market on Sept. 1?

Our mini-market includes local artists that create artwork in all types of media! From painting to photography to ceramics to fiber arts – you’ll find all kinds of creatives at Kenmore First Friday, just as you would when you visit Summit Artspace.

What sparked your interest in bringing artists to Kenmore Blvd.?

This is a great chance to show Kenmore and Akron the wonderful local artist community we have in Summit County. Anytime we can spread the work outside of our historic downtown Akron building, we are thrilled! The stronger our local artist community is across all of our neighborhoods, the more vibrant our local community will become. We want to facilitate that vision.

Summit Artspace’s mission includes connecting artists and artist-serving organizations to the community and to the resources they need to thrive professionally, creatively, and financially. Can you expand a bit on how Summit Artspace does some of these things?

In addition to our 35 resident artist studios and arts organizations at 140 East Market Street, we provide five nonprofit galleries for visual artists and rehearsal and class space for small performing arts companies. We hold numerous community events at our building like our quarterly ArtWalks and Artists Sunday, a national event that takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year. 2023 is the fourth annual and it is a great chance to support local artists while picking up one-of-a-kind gifts for friends, family, and yourself! We also provide artist-centered professional development for artists, who we believe are already highly successful entrepreneurs.

How does Summit Artspace select the artists it works with/showcases/supports? Can artists reach out?

If you are an artist in Summit and surrounding counties, we are here to help. Our programs and events are affordable and designed to help you grow your practice. While we have a wait list for our studios, our events and community are a true resource for creatives, and open to all genres, ages, and stages in your artistic journey. Just visit our website or social media – and contact us via email, phone or in-person. We always post our opportunities across lots of platforms.

What should visitors to Summit Artspace’s physical location in downtown Akron expect? What do you think makes Summit Artspace unique?

Just like Kenmore First Friday, our public hours on Fridays and Saturdays are always FREE, as is our parking! A significant difference between Summit Artspace and other institutions is that local artists come to Summit Artspace specifically to sell their artwork and make connections. Almost everything in our galleries and our studios is for sale, with prices that fit anyone who walks through the door. We are a hub for artists to meet other artists, and for the community to meet and support them as well.

Anything else people should know?

There is always something amazing to see and someone terrific to meet at Summit Artspace! Mark your calendars: our next downtown Akron ArtWalk is on Friday, September 8th, and Artists Sunday is on November 26. And each quarter we change out all the galleries and walls in our building: our summer exhibitions close September 16 and our Fall exhibitions open October 6.

Be sure to Summit Artspace’s mini market during the next Kenmore First Friday on Friday, September 1, from 6 – 9 p.m. RSVP and check out the full event lineup on Facebook!

Summit Artspace welcomes visitors to its historic art-deco building located at 140 E. Market St. in downtown Akron on Fridays from noon – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, visit summitartspace.org.