Since 2016, the nonprofit Akron Soul Train organization has worked to encourage growth in the local arts scene through its residency program, where artists in various disciplines are given short-term residencies to create a particular project, which is then shared with the community either in its downtown Akron gallery space or at an affiliated organization. In addition, its CapSOUL gallery showcases the work of emerging artists.
Over the years, the program has grown from one artist in its first season to 15 now. And it’s just announced the cohort of artists who will be creating work from January through December 2025. They include Hank Bamberger (dance/performance), Julia Betts (sculpture/performance/installation), Amber Bishop (video/sound installation), Payton Burkhammer (screenplay/Installation), Abby Cipar (soft sculpture), Christa Ebert (performance/installation), Saelyx Finna (filmmaker/writer), PJ Hargraves (ceramics), Alex Heard (wearable sculpture/performance), Amanda Margaretha (sculpture/installation), Saloni Parekh (painting/video/sound design), Kristen Tetzmann, Matthew Dettmer and Michelle Duke (writing/installation),
Sharelle Thompson (mixed media/video/installation), Anna Young (mixed media/photography) and Alex Younger (weaving/mixed media). Katie Shae (fiber) was chosen as the 2025 Emerging Series artist.
Proposed topics include religion, women’s health, dreams, body politics, healthcare, environmental issues, and storytelling. All but one are from northeast Ohio, with the majority from Akron.
Get more information about Akron Soul Train and the artists it’s supporting at www.akronsoultrain.org/air2025.
191 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308