Summit Artspace Media Kit
About Us
Summit Artspace, located at the corner of Market and Summit in the Historic Arts District of downtown Akron, is a hub for local artists and creatives. The mission of the nonprofit organization is to support local artists professionally, creatively, and financially. Summit Artspace also engages the community with artists by providing exhibitions and public programs.
Summit Artspace is home to artist studios, creative businesses, and five galleries with new exhibitions four times each year. It is the site of several local arts organizations, including the Akron Society of Artists and the Artists of Rubber City. There are offices, galleries, performance spaces, workshop areas, and meeting rooms available to mission-specific creative businesses. The building is owned by the County of Summit, which has been a significant and valued supporter of Summit Artspace. Summit Artspace attracts thousands of visitors each year both physically and virtually.
Our Mission
Summit Artspace is a nonprofit arts organization connecting artists and artist-serving organizations to the resources they need to thrive professionally, creatively, and financially. It provides artist studios, exhibitions, and programs in Summit County, and serves as a vital place for the public to engage with the creative community.
Our Building
Summit Artspace’s historic building has been an Akron landmark since 1927 when it was commissioned by John S. and James L. Knight as the new headquarters of the Akron Beacon Journal. Standing three stories tall and boasting a whopping 55,000 square feet, the building has been an epicenter of excitement and creativity for nearly a century.
On November 10, 1927, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge started the paper presses using a telegraph key in the White House. 20,000 visitors attended the three-day housewarming event that followed. The Knight brothers relocated the Beacon Journal in 1938 and the Akron Public Library purchased the building in 1940. It was used as the library’s main location until 1969. Small manufacturing companies used the building until 1976 when it was purchased by Summit Cou
Summit County has previously leased the building to the Summit County Historical Society, the MRDD board, and the Akron Work Center. The building is now leased by Summit Artspace and is enjoyed by resident artists, creative organizations, and the public. The building retains many of its original features, including a manually-operated freight elevator, John S. Knight’s safe, and of course, the ornate art-deco façade.
Our STAFF
Heather meeker
Natalie Grieshammer Patrick
Sam Imrie
Jaclyn Hale
Antonio RION
Our Board
Executive Committee
President
Diane Lightner
Clearsulting
Vice-President
Michael Steel, Esq.
Steel and Company Law Firm
- Treasurer
Linda Diefendorf
Brio Performance Solutions Secretary
Robert “Larry” Tucker Esq.
Attorney at Law (Retired)
Directors
- John Fitzpatrick
Senior IT Manager
Sherwin-Williams Company - Gina Betti
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones - Lou Camerato
Artist - Kristen Nervo Dowey
CEO
OneKey Virtual Care Megan Eberhart
Ballif to Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger
Barberton Municipal CourtKurt Kleidon
President
Kleidon and Associates- Nikki Marchmon-Boykin
Kent Roosevelt High School, Black Diamonds Jill Oldham
Senior Program Manager
Leadership AkronRoberta Rogers
Recreation Supervisor
City of Akron Recreation and ParksStarleen Saulsberry
Jobs Plus Success Life Coach
Akron Metropolitan Housing AuthorityStephanie Smith
Strategic Marketing and Engagement Manager,
BMF Bober Markey FedorovichCrystal Snyder
Office Manager
Central Graphics- Karen Starr
Hazel Tree Interiors
Robert B. Trattner, Esq.
Attorney/owner
Thomas Trattner and Malone LLC
Our resident artists
Our resident organizations
Media
Please use this secure link to access digital media such as the Summit Artspace logo, supplemental photos, et cetera. Additional media assets are available upon request. Please contact Grace Carter, Community Engagement Coordinator, to request additional media assets (grace@summitartspace.org).
Media Contact
Media may contact Jaclyn Hale, Community Engagement Coordinator, with questions.
Email: Jaclyn@summitartspace.org
Phone: 330-376-8480, ext. 3
Social Media and Website
Follow Summit Artspace on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
Website: https://www.summitartspace.org/
