CreativeCONNECT at the Akron Zoo: A Celebration of Community and Creativity

On the picture-perfect day, July 13, 2025, at the Akron Zoo, five CreativeCONNECT member organizations came together for a vibrant, collaborative arts event, Chalk-a-Palooza, that brought hundreds of visitors into direct connection with our artist groups. Participating groups included Akron Society of Artists, Akron Soul Train, Hudson Society of Artists, Akron Makerspace, and Cuyahoga Valley Art Center.

Each organization embraced the event’s theme with creativity and enthusiasm, creating unique chalk art installations that reflected their individual missions and artistic voices. In addition to their sidewalk masterpieces, the groups joined forces to design a large interactive chalk gallery. Framed by hand-drawn borders, this space invited guests of all ages to leave their own mark—fostering participation, play, and a deeper connection to the arts.

Beyond engaging with zoo guests, the event provided a meaningful opportunity for the participating organizations to connect with one another—sharing ideas, strengthening relationships, and celebrating the power of collaboration. Events like this embody the spirit of CreativeCONNECT: building community through creativity and creating visibility for the visual artists organizations across our region.

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