ARTIST RESIDENCY APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2025
ON VIEW NOW
Crystal Miller Unveils Dreamy Afro-Futuristic Exhibit “Queens and Shiny Things”
Opening celebration will be held Friday, August 30, from 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Exhibition will be on view from August 28 - October 5, 2024
Akron Soul Train Artist-in-Residence Crystal Miller presents “Queens and Shiny Things,” a collection of fantastical paintings and sculptures that embody Afro-futurism. Marrying African traditions with elements of fantasy, Miller’s art is a personal interpretation of Afro-futurism. This includes a celebration of Afrocentricity through a range of objects—decorative mirrors, combs, jewelry boxes, and press-on nails—that reflect her vibrant childhood. By incorporating kitschy materials, organic patterns, and exaggerated depictions of Black skin, Crystal Miller transforms everyday objects into future artifacts that celebrate a profound sense of Black pride.
“By creating these pieces, I am reclaiming a narrative that society has long suppressed. Through revisiting my past and envisioning the future from a deeply personal perspective, I construct an alternate reality—an escape from the harsh realities of today and a glimpse into a potential utopia where Blackness is freely expressed and celebrated. This immersive experience is designed for the Black community, instilling hope and confidence in our shared future, a future shaped for us and by us.” – Crystal Miller
About the Artist Crystal Miller:
Crystal Miller is an interdisciplinary mixed-media artist currently living and working in Cleveland. She has an Associate in Graphic Design, and a BFA in Painting and Sculpture and Expanded Media at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Miller’s paintings and sculptures explore Afro-futurism using unconventional materials including beads, glitter, rhinestones, and foam. Recent exhibitions include “DRMWRLD” at Maria Neil Art Project in Cleveland, and “Black Spaces: Defying Social Constructs” at Summit Art Space in Akron.
Find Divine Black Beauty in Michael Boyd Roman’s “Worth a Negus Wait in Gold”
Opening celebration will be held Friday, August 30, from 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Exhibition will be on view from August 28 - October 5, 2024
Artist-in-Resident Michael Boyd Roman unveils “Worth a Negus Wait in Gold,” a series that seeks to upend the contextual history of Black portraiture by focusing on images of the highest self. “Worth a Negus Wait in Gold” speaks to the unnerving experience of being both hyper-visible and invisible at the same time. The collection explores this constant supervision, either overt or covert, perpetuated by even well-intentioned people. Using mixed-media and charcoal drawings, Roman’s pieces feature the ordinary grace of the contemporary Black experience alongside religious iconography from the spiritual belief systems of the African Diaspora. It is then contextualized in scenes with modern motifs from Hip Hop and pop culture. Divine Black beauty radiates in Roman’s “Negus Wait in Gold,” a new and needed narrative abound.
“In showcasing divine Black beauty, I provide contemporary images that are positive and spiritual to counter long-held historical narratives that are applied to contemporary representations of the Black experience. Using the symbols and iconography of spiritual perfection that have reinforced concepts of white supremacy and hegemony for centuries, I empower my figures to embody and occupy similar positions of prestige, power, and purity.”
– Michael Boyd Roman
About the Artist Michael Boyd Roman:
Originally from Atlanta, GA, Michael Boyd Roman (b. 1981) serves as an Assistant Professor of Design & Black Visual Cultures at Oberlin College & Conservatory in NE Ohio. Roman has extensive art education experience in grades K-12 and later as Visual Arts Program Director at Morehouse College in 2013. Roman earned his MFA in drawing at California State University, Northridge in the spring of 2020, an MA in community arts from Maryland Institute, College of Art in 2007, and a BFA in painting from Syracuse University in 2004.
UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Akron Black Artist Guild: Outlined in Black
Celebrating Artists, Culture and Community
On view October 11 - November 9, 2024
Opening Celebration Friday, October 11, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:30PM
The 'Outlined in Black' exhibition, in collaboration with the Akron Black Artist Guild, features diverse artistic expressions from the Black community. The collection is inspiring, showcasing various engaging narratives and innovative techniques. Also, this collected work from artists in the Northeast Ohio region will further the dialogue between the creators and the community.
The Akron Black Artist Guild will present the Outlined in Black Excellence Artist Award to the following recipients: Sylvia Sykes for the Artist Award, Derin Fletcher for the Creative Placemaking Award, and Demetrius Falconer for the Artist Advocate Award. “This year is special,” says Diane Johnson, Artist Resource Manager of ABAG. “It sets a precedent for giving artists and community members their flowers while they actively build this thriving arts and culture ecosystem in this area.”
"I was thrilled to collaborate with the Akron Black Artist Guild to bring this exhibition to Akron Soul Train's Main Street gallery," said Pita Brooks, Executive Director. “This show exemplifies Akron Soul Train's belief in art's ability to spark meaningful conversations and deepen our understanding of shared experiences. It's more than just an art exhibition; it's a celebration of the incredible talent in our region."
About Akron Black Artist Guild (ABAG)
The Akron Black Artist Guild is a network of Black artists dedicated to building a thriving community that fosters educational and professional development by connecting Black Artists to opportunities and resources.
