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Katina Pastis Radwanski

Visual Arts: Painting, Sculpture

Art has been my passion since I was a child and my head is full of images waiting to be expressed in painting and sculpture. I was first artistically inspired by my mother who loved drawing, painting, dressmaking and needlework. I stayed by her side, enthusiastically absorbing each demonstrated technique. I soaked up the lessons of my art teachers and sought out books to supplement what I learned at school. I earned an undergrad and graduate degree in art and became an art teacher myself. In the past I enjoyed working traditionally… representationally, sketching and painting what was in front of me. I felt a need to work differently… more from within. My images now come through sketching in a meditative way. I lightly move my pencil on the page until an intriguing image appears. I find the visual expression of subliminal thought both compelling and rewarding. My painting medium is acrylic and steel is my primary choice of material for my three dimensional pieces. The process of switching back and forth from sculpture to painting, for me, is both energizing and balancing. By nature, I am an “observer” and “questioner” seeking an understanding of human beings … observing them as individuals and their behavior in groups. My paintings and sculptures reflect these observations and inquiries. My pieces are characteristically organic, colorful and sometimes surreal in appearance. At the heart of what I choose to paint or fabricate is my interest in human relationships … humans relating to their inner thoughts, to one another, to their environments, and to the world at large.

Elise Radzialowski

Visual Arts: Illustration, Painting; Book Illustration

Elise is an illustrator and painter, specializing in watercolor painting and narrative illustration. Her work is inspired by Grimm’s fairy tales and lost childhood. Commissions are accepted, including illustrations, portraits, murals, and exploratory projects. She works in a variety of mediums including watercolor, pastel, collage, digital painting, and oil painting. In her studio, current passion projects in-progress include a children’s book about introversion and extroversion, a series of fine artwork that explores motherhood and religion, and a light-hearted stick figure comic. Elise graduated with a B.F.A. in painting and drawing and a minor in illustration from the University of Akron Mary Schiller Myers School of Art in 2019. View her full portfolio online: https://www.eliseradz.com/

Laura Rath

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Visual Arts: Painting

I am a lifelong lover of art, impressionism, and thickly laid oil paint on a canvas. I am drawn to bold colors, and I am fascinated by the process of using brushes and palette knives to create rich texture in my art. I paint most of my scenes from personal experiences, and many of my paintings have been inspired by my travels throughout Europe. I’m grateful to God, the master Artist, for blessing me with the ability to experience what it’s like to create something beautiful.

Janean Ray

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Graphic Arts; Media; Visual Arts: Photography; public event photographer

My art is about capturing moments not making them. I want my work to inspire people to look around them and see what beauty there is in the world if you just pay attention. I try to keep my photos as natural as possible, emphasizing that simplicity is beautiful in its details. To see an object, a building, animal, flower or landscape in a way you never noticed before, is what I want people to take away from my work. If I can get people to see my photos and have it inspire them to stop and look at something and say ‘WOW!, I get it now’, then I’ve succeeded. Comments about her work: …….“We all think we see things the same way, but we don’t. You see things the rest of us miss.” ………“This photo is overwhelming…. I cannot even articulate how this makes me react… Too many memories, and images, and oddly – aromas. Oh my”. Aside from my full-time job with the Legal Defender Office, I am a trustee with the Norton Historical Society and is on the Norton Bicentennial committee working on their 200th Bicentennial festival this year. I also work on family genealogy when not in my studio or out shooting more photos. Besides photographing the tow paths and metro parks, and everything else from A to Z, (literally) I have photographed Highland Square Porchrokr Fest, Barberton Cherry Blossom, Norton Cider Fest, Akron Rubber Ducks, Akron’s Over the Edge, Portage Lakes Dragon Boat Races, Cleveland Tall Ship Festival, Cuyahoga Valley Railroad – Steam in the Valley, Barberton Mum Fest and Yankee Peddler just to name some events. My next project is “In Thy Honor” Craft Fair and Car Show at the Ohio Veteran’s Memorial Memorial weekend, where I will be photographing approximately 100 corvettes in front of the Veteran’s Memorial Wall. My photos have been featured on Fox 8 News Cleveland and I currently have three (3) photos on display at Barberton Summa Hospital and have won various digital contests, many 1st and 2nd place as well as one Reserve Best in Show.

Mellissa Redman

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education; Visual Arts: Illustration, Mixed Media, Painting, Printmaking, Visual Arts Instructor, Works on paper

Mellissa Redman holds a Master’s Degree in Painting from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Painting and Drawing from the University of Akron. A native of Akron, Ohio, Mellissa volunteered her time or artwork to the local YMCA and YWCA chapters, the University of Akron Ballet Institute, the City of Akron, The Chapel: Akron Campus, and the Akron Children’s Hospital. While living in the Grand Rapids area Mellissa instructed courses in KCAD’s Continuing Studies program and was an active member of Avenue for the Arts. In 2016 she moved back to Akron, OH where she is continuing her career as a visual artist. Though she works with water-based media, her paintings also include drawing, serigraphy and collage. Over the last several years she has shown her work in Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Tucson.

Benjamin Rexroad

Literary Arts; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Comedy, Director, Performance Art, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre; Directing - Theatre

“I am from this great land of liberty From pirates’ sunken glory days From a guy signing for our independence From red-faced natives And from whatever happened to be cheapest at the liquor store I am from blackberry brandy kissey faces And dill pickle memories” In all seriousness though, and with a little more polish than pizazz, I am a theatre artist with a passion for poetry, travel, and community. I have trained with John O’Neal of Junebug Productions (Color Line Project), SITI Company (2010 Skidmore Summer Intensive), and was one of 25 international directors selected to participate in the 2014 Directors Lab North in Toronto. In 2011, I was presented with the Akron Arts Alive Award in the Rising Young Star/Leadership category. The same year, I helped found Akron’s only African-American theatre company and received a grant to tour a role-playing workshop about racism, poverty, class, and social status. In 2013, my partner and I completed a thru-hike of the 2,185.9-mile Appalachian Trail. During the time of COVID-19, I have learned to garden and can now engage in Spanish at the A-2 level. Currently, I am working on a production about ghosts. My theatre company, Wandering Aesthetics, is looking for a new home/venue– if you happen to know of any.

Doc Rich

Artist for Hire: Private Events, Programming; Performing Arts: Music

Doc Rich has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He has appeared in bands spanning many different genres, and played countless gigs both on the stage, at private events and in the studio. He can play anything from garage rock to jazz, from country tunes to heavy metal. His modern surf band, The Beyonderers, is available for performances at parties and concerts, and he is available as a jazz guitar soloist or accompanist for events like weddings, dinners, galas, etc. He is also available for any studio work necessary for a fair hourly rate.

Kevin Richards

Artist for Hire; Graphic Arts; Multi Arts; Visual Arts: Film, Mixed Media, Murals, Photography, Printmaking

Kevin is an award winning fine art and commercial photographer. He specializes in abstract images, urban decay & street photography. He studied Fine Art Photography at the Myers School of Art at the University of Akron.

Simone Richardson

Visual Arts: Crafts, Mixed Media, Textiles

Welcome to Simone's Creations: Everything Pocket. Simone is a certified public library librarian in Akron, Ohio. Since 2001, her passion and goal has been to help formerly incarcerated individuals live productive and meaningful lives. Simone achieves this goal by developing resources and projects inside and outside of her library. The resources are designed to give the returning citizens the knowledge and information to uplift their spirit, give them hope, and provide them encouragement for the betterment of their futures, families, and the community.For her library, Simone developed the Reentry Job Search Resources booklet which includes employment, educational, medical, legal assistance and more. Simone also created and facilitates "Welcome Back Library Experience," which is a special library tour and database overview for the formerly incarcerated and those on community correction. In 2011, she published "Executive Clemency by Pardon: A Guide to Pardon Success," which helps readers discover the characteristics of pardon attainment. In her spare time, she meditates and discovers inner peace by creating pocket creations. A meditator for over 20 years, Simone has been a craft fair vendor since 2011. She lives with her two cats Ling Ling and Sushi.

Roger Riddle

Artist for Hire: Private Events, Programming; Media; Performing Arts: Radio/Television; Visual Arts: Media and Visual Communications

I am very fortunate that my life long love of music and technology has provided opportunities for me to play a role in community building here in Akron. Bringing people together through music, entertainment, food, and open discussion, in appreciation of the city has been gratifying and rewarding. Finding people who are passionate about where they live – then getting to know the subcultures of these passionate people – has led to spotlighting events and activities that are going on throughout the city. These specialized groups can be sports fans, theater lovers, music lovers, science fiction geeks, educators, or every other group imaginable who goes out and enjoys themselves. They drive the businesses of our cities. When they are out enjoying themselves, we view our towns and neighborhoods as prosperous and growing. This view of Akron drives my work, whether creating podcasts like Akro-Preneurs, DJing, or creating unique videos for web placement for Akron based businesses.

Nicole Robinson

Literary Arts

Nicole Robinson’s poetry has appeared in Connotation Press, Great River Review, Tahoma Literary Review, The Fourth River, and elsewhere. She has received an Individual Excellence Award for poetry from the Ohio Arts Council and serves on the board for Lit Youngstown. Robinson holds an MFA in poetry from Ashland University and is currently the Writer-in-Residence at Akron Children’s Hospital.

Heidi Rolf

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Private Events; Graphic Arts; Visual Arts: Graphic Arts, Illustration, Jewelry, Painting, Photography

Hi, I’m Heidi. I love telling stories (I tell them all the time) so telling other peoples’ stories through a visual dialogue whether it be with graphic design, illustration or photography was a logical path for me to follow. I specialize in portraiture and brand photography as well as brand/identity design. I approach photography with a photo journalistic style, capturing real moments without distracting from them. I primarily shoot but am not limited to weddings, families, musicians, products/services, general events and FOOD. As a graphic designer I primarily work creating print design, but can build sites through Squarespace using the branding I have created. I have worked with American Greetings, b.lovely, Cleveland City Mission, Expand Interactive, Halo Publishing, Plant Kingdom, Summit County Democratic Party, Tumblin4kids, and many others through my work with Cleveland branding + marketing company Indie Foundry creating thoughtful design solutions that place equal value in aesthetic and concept.

Nicholas Romito

Artist for Hire: Private Events; Media; Visual Arts: Film, Graphic Arts, Media and Visual Communications, Photography

I am an Akron native with over 5 years of videography and photography experience. I have written and directed three films and one documentary, as well as worked on feature length films and video projects of various types. I have done it all from pre-production and brainstorming ideas to putting the final touches on the edit. Additionally, I have worked audio-visual for live events as well as used programs such as Ableton live to create and mix music. I am seeking work as a videographer, photographer or in audio production. I can do anything from planning shoots (scheduling, location scouting/scheduling, writing scripts etc.), to shooting/recording, to post production processing and delivery. Please contact me if you are interested. I’m always looking for an opportunity to connect and would love to meet you!

Nici Romo

Artist for Hire: Education, Private Events, Programming; Media; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Crafts, Film, Graphic Arts, Media and Visual Communications, Performance Art, Performers and Writers, Photography, Sculpture

Nici Romo is a Theater Artist, Director, and Theater teacher here in the Akron area. She has been performing for over 30 years in various venues all over Northeast Ohio. Nici has a degree in Theater, Art, and Design from the University of Akron and has had the privilege of working with some of the best theater companies in Akron, including the Knights Arts Challenge winning company, Wandering Aesthetics, and the critically acclaimed Ma’Sue Productions. She is looking forward to launching some of her own projects this year and beyond. Nici is available for performing, directing, and teaching theater to multiple age groups in Akron and the surrounding areas.

Michael Rzepka

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education, Private Events, Programming; Graphic Arts; Media; Visual Arts: Architectural Illustration, Ceramics, Conservation/Restoration, Functional and/or Decorative, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Jewelry; Digital Painting & Drawing

Michael Rzepka is a visual artist aiming to assist in the guidance of our collective meditations. Inspired by the advancements in thinking and technology throughout millenniums of culture and how they have grown the collective consciousness to an exponential level. The divine connection that we all share, as living parts of the human race, is intangible and infinite. Michael is continuously amazed by this relationship and it is evident throughout all of his work. He continuously works to create a body of work that reflects his fascination with the universe. On a balanced scale, working with both light and dark, he explores the unknown. Wanting to do his best as a human being, a father and as an artist, Michael strives to advance his own thinking by working diligently to learn new things. Pushing the boundaries of visual perception, of what is and isn’t possible, hoping to awaken something profound within himself, and others. Michael was born in Akron, Ohio on November 7, 1981. From a young age Michael’s artistic ability was encouraged by his parents. His earliest drawings could be found on the margins of his school work, until he was given his first sketch book from his dad. Mike was born to be an artist. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a major in drawing. He has traveled all over the country sharing his art with people since 2006.

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Apply Now for The National Center for Choreography-Akron's Creative Administration Research Program

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Summit Artspace is interested in the many ways in which BIPOC+ artists impact our communities through their art. One artist will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend to support the creation of a solo exhibition in Summit Artspace’s Horizon Gallery. Click here to apply.

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