First Downtown@Dusk of 2013 is Thursday, June 20!

Beginning June 20, the popular free concert series Downtown@Dusk will return for its 29th season with Lost State of Franklin. Every Thursday this summer from 6:30-8:30 pm, the Akron Art Museum will be showcasing a lineup of fantastic music from a variety of local bands. Concert attendees can also enjoy a gallery tour with Director of Education Alison Caplan while kids are entertained by hands-on activities during ArtCamp@Dusk.

The Cleveland rock-a-billy trio of Lost State of Franklin will entertain concert goers with their unique sound: a combination of jazz, country, rock and bluegrass. Led by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter J. Scott Franklin, vocalist/percussionist Tyler Postma and bassist Jeremy Cottrell, the group has performed on multiple occasions in Europe and played over 500 shows in the United States. The group has also been nominated for several awards including Scene Magazine “Songwriter of the Year” and Free Times “Americana Band of the Year.”

Director of Education Alison Caplan will be providing an in-depth gallery tour about the current exhibition The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats  for ArtTalks@Dusk  this Thursday. The exhibition showcases the works of award-winning author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, whose more famous children’s books include Whistle for Willie, Peter’s Chair, and The Snowy Day. Over 80 original works, consisting of sketches, painting and collages, will be on display in the Karl and Bertl Arnstein Galleries through August 4, 2013.

While adults enjoy the concert and the galleries, children 6-12 can explore fun and wacky hands-on art making in the museum’s classroom at ArtCamp@Dusk. This Thursday’s class is “Trash to Treasure”, where kids can use found objects and their imaginations to create art that will pop off the wall. Free for members, $5 each session for nonmembers. Registration is required for the class. Sign up today.

The Museum Store will be open during Downtown@Dusk until 9 pm (admission is not required to shop in the store). The museum collection and galleries will also be open until 9 pm with paid admission except June 20, July 18 and August 15 when the museum premieres Third Thursday.

Exhibitions currently on view in the museum galleries include The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats, Danny Lyon: The Bikeriders, Draw Me a Story and Line Color Illusion: 40 Years of Julian Stanczak. For detailed information about these exhibitions and other events, please visit the museum’s exhibitions page and calendar of events.

 

Downtown@Dusk 2013 is made possible by The City of Akron. It is presented in cooperation with 89.7 WKSU.

ArtCamp@Dusk 2013 is made possible by a gift from The Howland Memorial Fun and the House of LaRose.

ArtTalks@Dusk 2013 is made possible by a gift from the Sam & Kathy Salem Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Board of Akron.

Third Thursdays are made possible by a generous gift from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.