A utopia is an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. We’ve asked young artists to share their perfect world view in this fun online art show. The challenge was open to youth ages 0-14. Their perfect world can be summer all year long, bright color kaleidoscopes or maybe it’s based off a book or a movie they like or an animal, real, imagined or well-loved. We can’t wait to share the submissions!
VIRTUAL YOU-TOPIA YOUTH CHALLENGE OPEN MAY 2
Link here to see the exhibit: summitartspace.org/you-topia-youth-virtual. Free access. See a second theme-related show, YOU-Topia Juried Art Exhibition, at summitartspace.org/you-topia-virtual.
The YOU-Topia Virtual Youth Challenge opened online during Virtual Akron Artwalk, May 2, 5:30 p.m., 2020 , on our Artwalk and Summit Artspace Facebook pages and Instagram. You can also look there for information. Free access to the exhibit and Artwalk.
Winners were announced on Facebook Live at the 5:30 p.m. unveiling by juror/artist Edith Wadkins of Grove City, Ohio.
“The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” – Neil Gaiman
ABOUT YOU-TOPIA YOUTH CHALLENGE JUROR EDITH WADKINS
Edith Wadkins is a fine artist, theatrical scenic artist and set designer. Her work encompasses pastel and watercolors, faux painting, murals and theater scenery.
A current resident of Grove City, Ohio, Edith (Edie) was raised in the small town of Amsterdam, Ohio in the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains. She attended the Edison Local School District and graduated in 1998. Then she went to Otterbein College (now Otterbein University) where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Technology. Since she was twelve she has rarely spent a day without negotiating some kind of art media. She has designed and/or painted scenery for over 200 shows. Her work has been seen in almost every Columbus professional theatre and many educational institutions around town.
Some recent design highlights include the sets for CATCO productions of Master Class, Sex with Strangers and Fun Home, CATCO is Kids’ production of Anne of Green Gables, Cowgirls Don’t Ride Zebras and Madeline’s Christmas. She has also painted the scenery for many recent Columbus Children’s theatre shows such as James and the Giant Peach and Shrek the Musical. She has received Theatre Roundtable Set Design Awards for Babar and Kabuki Sleeping Beauty.
She has done workshops with local pastel portrait artist Sandy Reddig. She also spent two years at Cooley Studios learning to draw and paint in the French atelier curriculum. She has illustrated a book by Linda Lee Greene called Bussy and His Champion Roosters. She has received many ribbons at the Ohio State Fair including a Best in Show Ribbon in Creative Arts in 2011.
MORE ABOUT ARTWALK ON MAY 2…
Akron Artwalk will be online! You won’t miss a thing through Summit Artspace social media!
ARTWALK ONLINE AT SUMMIT ARTSPACE SOCIAL MEDIA
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
5:30-7 PM
We know ARTWALK as the downtown arts and cultural ramble will return but in the meantime…
We’ll be bringing you the Saturday April 4 Artwalk online from 5:30 to 7 p.m. via Summit Artspace social media.
Artwalk is an art/retail event organized by Summit Artspace the first Saturday of the month.
We’ll be showcasing our Summit Artspace artist tenants and featuring them in demos, workshops and interviews. We’ll also be sharing the work of our Artwalk partners, as well as our pop-up vendors who have special offers through the weekend. Two new virtual art shows will be opening.
Check our Artwalk and Summit Artspace Facebook pages and Instagram for the event and information.
VIRTUAL ARTWALK SCHEDULE, MAY 2
- 5:30 p.m. – Unveiling of virtual shows YOU-Topia Juried Art Exhibition and YOU-Topia Youth Challenge (links go live at 5:30 p.m., May 2); Juror Edith Wadkins will announce the winners via Facebook Live
- 5:45 p.m. – Mini demos/workshops/interviews with artist tenants
- 6 p.m. – Featuring pop-up artists, promo code “MayArtwalk2020” for discounts through the weekend
- 6:15 p.m. – Mini demos/workshops/interviews with artist tenants
- 6:30 p.m. – Featuring Artwalk partners
- 6:35-7 p.m. – Mini demos/workshops/interviews with artist tenants
What you’ll find at the Artwalk locations–
Summit Artspace: Galleries, artist studios and more
Zeber-Martell: See the exceptional functional and decorative ceramics by the artists, as well as a large selection of jewelry and much more to delight shoppers!
Northside Cellar: Check out what they have in the shop plus Art 4 Artwalk.
Bluff Blue Door Gallery: Visit the galleries in this unique setting.
sweetmodern.com: Fine vintage mid-century furniture and decor
Akron Soul Train: Akron Soul Train is an artist residency village connecting and empowering the community and artists by granting fellowships that provide resources for all creative disciplines to foster a more vibrant downtown Akron.
Gallery C: A new location at East 66 Cuyahoga Falls Ave., open for Akron Artwalk
Visit the Summit Artspace Facebook page for more information about Artwalk sites.
Gallery C
66 E Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron
See the Summit Artspace event and exhibit calendar.
Plan your visit by clicking here.
Have questions? Here is our Frequently Asked Questions page.
