*Urban Art Virtuoso* In the realm where rhythm reigns and color explodes, my art ignites! As a visual and performing artist, I orchestrate a symphony of sound and sight, merging music, graffiti and culture in electrifying masterpieces that pulse with the city’s heartbeat. With every brushstroke, I weave tales of urban resilience and creative rebellion. My art is an immersive experience – a harmony of bold hues, rhythmic textures and soulful energy.

Materiality and process are vital to Katlin Shae’s studio practice. Through physical labor, pattern, transformation of materials, and color Shae examines time and life using craft disciplines. Often creating within the systems and structures provided by looms, she is excited by the complexities and possibilities that exist in the grid format. Shae’s studio practice also incorporates drawing, and creative daily work with mark making and material investigation. In this new series of 14 drawings, there is an emphasis on color, shape, line, and pattern. The drawings tend to start at a central point with each new line being shaped by the last creating a ripple effect within the work. The pieces are untitled, but each one is numbered in the order the artist made them. By starting with piece number 1, you can follow the progression of these drawings through number 14, each completed piece expanding on the possibilities for the next one.

Impacted by the beauty of the natural world, especially the ocean, Christian James creates sculptural glass creatures that mimic shapes from nature. Some of the forms he often uses are snails, jellyfish, and occasionally a combination of both. Growing up in Highland Square Christian studied art at the Visual and Performing Arts Schools Miller South and Firestone. This is where his love for art began. After graduating high school Christian attended Kent State University to study glassblowing. His interest in glass started at a young age with the influence of his uncle, who is a professional glassblower. Christian worked full time with his uncle at Janke Studios, a production glass shop located in Atlanta Georgia for 7 years. During this time Christian learned from Matt Janke in an apprenticeship style of mentoring to refine his skills and technical proficiency in the process of glassblowing. Returning to Akron in 2018, Christian now makes his work at Akron Glass Works, where he is the current manager of their studio. Christian James will be taking Akron Glass Works into their next phase by establishing their studio at a new location in the West Hill neighborhood of Akron opening Summer 2026. You can visit the current Akron Glass Works gallery and retail space to see the large variety of work he makes including pendant lighting, goblets, hot sculpted glass chess sets, and more.