Akron Soul Train

Akron Soul Train Akron Soul Train is an artist residency program connecting and empowering the community and artists
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Reminder 🔔🔔If you are curious about or considering applying to our 2027 Residency Program, join us at the gallery this T...
09/08/2026

Reminder 🔔🔔

If you are curious about or considering applying to our 2027 Residency Program, join us at the gallery this Thursday, September 10th from 4:00–7:00pm for our Open House!

Meet the Akron Soul Train team, explore our gallery space, and learn more about how our residencies support artists across all disciplines.

Throughout the evening, staff will be available to answer questions about the application process, residency opportunities, and community engagement projects. Guests will also enjoy refreshments and have the chance to experience our current exhibitions on view.

Whether you’re an artist considering applying, a supporter of the arts, or simply interested in learning more, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with Akron Soul Train.

Free and open to the public!

Image 1: Nico Cacho Flores, 2024 Resident
Image 2: Amanda Margaretha, 2025 Resident
Image 3: Saloni Parekh, 2025 Resident
Image 4: Davon Brantley, 2024 Resident

Join Emerging Artist Cory Sheldon and Producer Melissa Olson for a live demonstration exploring the creative process beh...
09/05/2026

Join Emerging Artist Cory Sheldon and Producer Melissa Olson for a live demonstration exploring the creative process behind “Merry Bear”, the independently developed video game that inspired Sheldon’s current exhibition at Akron Soul Train. Together, they’ll walk through the evolution of the project—from early sketches and character design to level development, hand-drawn artwork, game engines, and the coding that brings the experience to life. They’ll also discuss the visual style, storytelling, and themes that shape the world of Merry Bear.

After the demonstration, continue the conversation with light refreshments at Akron Soul Train and experience “Merry Bear”, on view through September 12, before the exhibition closes.

Event Information:
🔸September 12, 11:00-12:15pm
🔸The Nightlight Cinema, 30 N High St, Akron, OH 44308
🔸FREE & open to the public
🔸RSVPs encouraged, but not required. Seating is limited.
🔸For more information and to register visit:
https://www.akronsoultrain.org/event-details/the-making-of-merry-bear

09/05/2026

🐻✨Merry Bear is making the most of her last week of city adventures!

Yesterday, Cory Sheldon's curious companion (and Akron Soul Train’s gallery guest) stopped by Inflection for a little light, reflection, and wonder.

Inflection is a FREE, walk-in immersive audiovisual experience by Pittsburgh-based artist lan Brill, created in collaboration with Akron artist and musician Theron Brown.

✨Open Saturdays from 5-7 PM through October
✨Located at Outside the Box in Akron's Northside District

Where will Merry Bear wander next? 👀🐾

"Merry Bear" is on view through September 12, Wednesday-Saturday, 11:00-4:00 at Akron Soul Train

Plush Merry Bear created by artist Sophia Adalaine Zhou

………………..

Inflection was made possible through a grant to Akron Soul Train from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Curated Storefront is the host organization for the installation. Like Akron Soul Train, Curated Storefront is celebrating its tenth anniversary!






Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Sunday for Artist in Residence Ron Copeland’s artist conversation with Arn...
09/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Sunday for Artist in Residence Ron Copeland’s artist conversation with Arnold Tunstall!

Ron’s exhibition, “Casual Recollections”, will be on view through Saturday, September 12, alongside Emerging Artist Cory Sheldon’s “Merry Bear”.

If you haven’t had a chance to see the exhibitions yet, be sure to stop by before they close!

Akron Soul Train hits the road for a one-night-only performance!Join us on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5:30-7:30 at t...
09/01/2026

Akron Soul Train hits the road for a one-night-only performance!

Join us on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5:30-7:30 at the McDonough Museum of Art as 2026 Artist in Residence Óskar Þór Arngrímsson (Ótal) presents the live premiere of Fjöður, a new ambient album created during his Akron Soul Train residency. Built from field recordings captured throughout Akron, the performance blends the sounds of water, wildlife, wind, trains, and industry with live electronic composition, offering an immersive exploration of the city’s natural and industrial landscapes.

The performance will feature live videography by Ella Medicus, creating a dynamic audiovisual experience that invites audiences to experience Akron through sound, memory, and place. Following the performance, guests are invited to stay for light refreshments and conversation with the artist.

Presented in partnership with the McDonough Museum of Art, one of Akron Soul Train’s regional cultural collaborators, the performance extends the residency beyond Akron and creates an opportunity to share the city’s sounds, stories, and creative identity with audiences across Northeast Ohio.

Event Information:
🔹Wednesday, September 23rd, 5:30-7:30pm
🔹McDonough Museum of Art, 525 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH 44502
🔹Directions and parking information, visit:https://academics.ysu.edu/mcdonough-museum-of-art/directions-parking (https://academics.ysu.edu/mcdonough-museum-of-art/directions-parking)
🔹This event is free and open to the public
🔹RSVPs are encouraged
🔹For more information and to register visit:
https://www.akronsoultrain.org/event-details/fjodur-live-electronic-music-performance-by-otal-with-ella-medicus (https://www.akronsoultrain.org/event-details/fjodur-live-electronic-music-performance-by-otal-with-ella-medicus) (link in bio)

Curious about Akron Soul Train’s artist residency program? Thinking of applying for our 2027 Residency cycle? Join us at...
08/31/2026

Curious about Akron Soul Train’s artist residency program? Thinking of applying for our 2027 Residency cycle? Join us at the gallery for a special Open House on Thursday, September 10th from 4:00–7:00PM! Meet the Akron Soul Train team, explore our gallery space, and learn more about how our residencies support artists across all disciplines.

Throughout the evening, staff will be available to answer questions about the application process, residency opportunities, and community engagement projects. Guests will also enjoy refreshments and have the chance to experience our current exhibitions on view.

Whether you’re an artist considering applying, a supporter of the arts, or simply interested in learning more, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with Akron Soul Train.

Free and open to the public!

Image 1: Nico Cacho Flores, 2024 Resident
Image 2: Amanda Margaretha, 2025 Resident
Image 3: Saloni Parekh, 2025 Resident
Image 4: Davon Brantley, 2024 Resident

Reminder!!! Applications for Akron Soul Train’s 2027 Artist in Residence Program are now open, through September 30th. W...
08/29/2026

Reminder!!! Applications for Akron Soul Train’s 2027 Artist in Residence Program are now open, through September 30th.

We welcome applications from visual, literary, performing, and multidisciplinary artists seeking dedicated time, a $1,000 artist stipend, organizational support, and the opportunity to share an original creative project through a public exhibition, performance, reading, or publication.

Learn more and apply at, https://www.akronsoultrain.org/apply-for-residency (link in bio)

Swipe through to see exhibition images and community events from our 2026 cohort!

• Images 1 & 2: Ron Copeland — exhibition on view through September 12
• Images 3 & 4: Kristen Mimms Scavnicky
• Images 5 & 6: Josh Maxwell
• Images 7 & 8: Kim Kappera
• Images 9 & 10: Jeff France

Reminder‼️Join Akron Soul Train this Sunday, August 30th for a thought-provoking conversation between Artist in Residenc...
08/26/2026

Reminder‼️

Join Akron Soul Train this Sunday, August 30th for a thought-provoking conversation between Artist in Residence Ron Copeland and Arnold Tunstall—artist, curator, educator, and Director of the University Art Galleries at The University of Akron—as they explore the ideas, influences, and creative process behind Copeland’s current exhibition, Casual Recollections.

Whether you’re an artist, student, or simply curious about the creative process, this is a unique opportunity to hear two accomplished artists discuss the ideas that shape their work.

Event Information:
🔶 Sunday, August 30th, 2:00 - 4:00pm
🔶 Akron Soul Train, 191 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
🔶 This event is free and open to the public
🔶 Registration is not required but encouraged
🔶 Light refreshments will be provided

For more information and to register visit:
https://www.akronsoultrain.org/event-details/journey-of-a-sign-painter-artist-conversation-with-ron-copeland-and-arnold-tunstall (link in bio)

We’re grateful to the GAR Foundation for its continued investment in Akron Soul Train and Akron’s creative community! 💜T...
08/24/2026

We’re grateful to the GAR Foundation for its continued investment in Akron Soul Train and Akron’s creative community! 💜

This generous operating support helps us continue investing directly in artists, expanding access to arts and culture, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect through creativity.

We’re proud to be among an incredible group of August grantees working to make Akron a stronger, more vibrant community.

Thank you, GAR Foundation, for believing in the power of artists—and for helping make the work we do possible.✨

Akron

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191 King James Way
Akron, OH
44308

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

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