The 13^th Annual FRESH Juried Art Exhibition, Akron’s anticipated, contemporary regional art show, opens Jan. 13 at Summit Artspace with works reacting to a turbulent world.

Displaying 33 pieces from 29 local artists, the show will kick-off with a free reception to meet the artists on Friday, Jan. 13, 5-8 p.m., in the Summit Artspace Gallery, 140 E. Market St., Akron. Winners will be announced during the opening event.

Regional artists take their art in new directions using a FRESH perspective for the annual competition. Juror Charles Beneke, professor of art at The University of Akron Mary Schiller Myers School of Art and associate dean of the Graduate School, selected the works from 71 entries. FRESH runs until Feb. 18.

Beneke characterized FRESH as an “awaited welcoming of the new year with an exposition of new explorations in the visual arts by members of our vital, regional community.”

The works this year vibrate with “a sense of unease and trepidation—our world is unsettled; our political climate is divisive; big changes are impending,” according to Beneke.

In the selected pieces created in a variety of media and styles, he examined works addressing the recent U.S. election, reflecting upon changes in world cultures as a result of ethnic diasporas and questioning personal identity.

The common theme among the pieces that struck Beneke was the exploration of space. As a nationally and internationally-known visual artist, he observed artists using their craft to ground themselves and come to terms with uncertain times and a new, uncertain world.

“FRESH 2017 explores new definitions of space and this new place that we must all learn to navigate and inhabit together,” he articulated.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays, noon-7 p.m., and Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. The show is open Saturday, Feb. 4, noon-9 p.m. during regular hours and for Artwalk in downtown Akron, which runs 5-10 p.m.

Parking is available behind the Summit Artspace building when visiting the gallery. Summit Artspace is handicap accessible and has an elevator. For information about Summit Artspace, go to summitartspace.org or call 330-376-8480. Find Summit Artspace on Facebook, on Twitter at @AkronAreaArts and on Snapchat.

About Summit Artspace

Summit Artspace is a non-profit community arts center that provides studio, exhibit and programming spaces in Summit County for local artists and arts organizations; and is a center for art education open to all residents. It is a joint project with the County of Summit. Summit Artspace is committed to promoting arts and cultural activities and to building public awareness of the value of arts and culture to the quality of life and the local economy. Summit Artspace buildings include the main location at 140 E. Market Street, Akron; the Art Center on Tuscarawas (ACoT), 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton; and Nine Muses Art Gallery, 584 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. Formerly the first site of the Akron Beacon Journal, the downtown.

Akron building houses Summit Artspace Gallery, Transition Gallery, artist studios, administrative offices, The BOX Gallery and offices for several arts organizations as well as performance space, workshop areas and meeting rooms. The Akron center is owned by the County of Summit, which has been a significant and valued supporter of Summit Artspace as community space. ACoT and Nine Muses provide five gallery spaces, artist studios, workshop areas and meeting spaces. It is a joint project of Neighborhood Development Services, Inc., the City of Barberton and Summit Artspace. Contact Summit Artspace at 330-376-8480. On the Web at: www.summitartspace.org.  Find us on Facebook, on Twitter at @AkronAreaArts and on Snapchat.