Akron Black Artists Guild: Relationships Are Everything!

Fight for Love Poetry Experience Pictured: SMP Staff Ms. Beth, EbaNee Bond, ABAG Staff Dara Harper and Charlee Harris. Randi Mull, photo.

A partnership that becomes a good relationship is pivotal in cultivating a community for working artists. Producing programs beyond an initiative or grant cycle is rare for a small nonprofit organization. It’s easy to move on and post some pictures on social media displaying “oh, what a great time we had!” But in that rare moment, in the knee-deep of planning, working to understand and communicate the needs between partnering organizations, one looks up and a relationship has bloomed.

The Akron Black Artist Guild is thrilled to continue its artist-in-residency program and blooming relationship with Summit Metro Parks (SMP) for the third summer. This unique initiative hires talented Black Artists to teach nature-inspired classes in the parks, offering the public a rare opportunity to learn from these exceptional individuals in a natural setting. The goal is to foster connections, facilitate growth, and support the development of Black Artists while enhancing the diversity of Summit Metro Parks instructors, guests, and visitors.

Artist: Matthew Roberts Event: Dance & Mystery in the Park. Pictured: Performance at Summit Lake Nature Center. Randi Mull, photo.

Because relationships are everything, they answer many intangible questions about how we, as an organization, can be more impactful. We are grateful for this insight as we work and grow together, documenting the positive stories of the communities we serve.

The Akron Black Artist Guild’s workshops are designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind, ensuring that everyone can participate. The workshops will start in midsummer, from July to September. Participants can engage in two-hour sessions on poetry, African drumming, and zine bookmaking. We extend a warm invitation to you to join us.

For more information on workshops and registration, please visit our website: abaguild.org / Art & Park Collective.

AKRON BLACK ARTIST GUILD
abaguild.org
Facebook: akronblackartistguild
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