BJ retiree Connie Bloom among 8 Artspace artists in first-time show

Connie Bloom explaining her quilt art technique

Former BJ Features Department editor/columnist and Ohio quilt art guru Connie Bloom will be among eight local artists featured in the Summit Artspace art show, Upstairs, Downstairs, that will open at 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 with a reception for the artists and will run through Feb. 22 (noon-5 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, noon-9 p.m. Thursdays).

Connie organized the show. Other artists, all Penthouse Artists in Summit Artspace, are Joan Colbert (printmaking); Cari Miller (mixed-media); Terry Klausman (sculpture/drawing); Carolyn Lewis (painting); Katina Pastis Radwanski (painting/sculpture); Bradley Hart (photography); and Ron White (sculpture/drawing).

There are nearly 600 Swarovski crystals in Connie’s art quilt Magic Realism (photo with this article), featured in Upstairs, Downstairs. There will be  nosh, casual conversation and art at Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market Street,  downtown Akron.

Connie will open her studio in Summit Artspace at other times to shoppers if you arrange an appointment in advance at 330-472-0161.

Summit ArtSpace Gallery opened more than a decade ago. This is the first time that ArtSpace artists have had a group show in the gallery. Admission and parking are free.

If you pre-register, you can take part in artist demos and hands-on workshops, mainly on the third floor in the artists’ studios.

Saturday, January 25
Artist Demonstrations 
1 p.m. — Landscape Painting with Carolyn E. Lewis
2 p.m. — Threadpainting with Connie Bloom
3 p.m. — Envisioning a Successful Photograph with Bradley Hart

Saturday February 8    
1 p.m. — Be My Valentine Make & Take with Joan Colbert, Cari Miller and Terry Klausman (pre-register please)

Saturday February 15  
1 p.m. — Yoga in the Summit Artspace Gallery with Ron White
2 p.m. — Chakra Art Workshop with Ron White and Joan Colbert (pre-register please)