The Groundhog Show, founded in 2021, is an annual pop-up art exhibition celebrating northeast Ohio artists and creators. Over the past three years, it has become incredibly popular among artists and art enjoyers alike with significant participation from the LGBTQ+ community. Due to a significant increase in both participating artists and attendance, it was decided to move the Groundhog Show from Portage Lakes to downtown Akron in 2024. This move will allow for a huge uptick in visitors as it will run concurrently with the quarterly Akron ArtWalk event, ensuring our LGBTQ+ artists and allies can broaden their reach and impact. The exhibition will be open Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 16. Additional programming will include live music, live figure drawing sessions, and an open mic night. Committed event partners include Summit Artspace, ArtsNow, Curated Storefront, TrueNorth Akron, MOO with the View, Northside Marketplace, Jilly's Music Room, and Dirty River Bikes. The Groundhog Show is presented by Taylor Clapp, the lead organizer of the exhibition, and is co-curated by Nick Lee.
Call for art for The Groundhog Show 2024 is now open!
“I have made so many new connections with upcoming artists through this exhibition. The community building around this exhibition is especially exciting to me as an artist and gallery manager in the greater NEO region. I’ve made countless artists friends through this exhibition and greatly appreciate Groundhog Show giving emerging artists a chance to connect with others!
Through my experience, the exhibition has always been well curated, professionally installed and heavily promoted. There has been a strong emphasis on the opening reception and it really shows. I have met many artists and art enthusiasts at these receptions. I strongly encourage my peers to apply for future exhibitions!”
-Celeste Stauber
Friday, June 7 - Prep and Clean Space
Sunday, June 9 - Art Intake
Monday, June 10 - Art Intake
Tuesday, June 11 - Art Installation
Wednesday, June 12 - Art Installation
Thursday, June 13 - Art Preview for Partners
Friday, June 14 - Opening Reception with Live Music and Drag Performance(s) Coinciding with Akron ArtWalk
Saturday, June 15 - Pop-Up Open to Public and Open Mic Night
Sunday, June 16 - Pop-Up Open to Public and Live Figure Drawing Session (early art pick up)
Monday, June 17 - Art Pick Up
Tuesday, June 18 - Clean and Reset Space
Open Mic Night- In my discussions with Justin Leply from Northside Marketplace, they are in the process of organizing an open mic night at their location on the second Wednesday of every month and have a busking/microphone setup that we could potentially use for the very similar event Saturday night during the Groundhog Show. This event will allow poets, musicians, comedians, etc. to get up and try out a set or speak their minds for a few minutes with a supportive crowd in a fun environment.
Live Figure Drawing Session- Since moving to northeast Ohio one of the ways I have been able to gather with other local creatives has been through live figure drawing. Artists show up with their materials and draw from a model in various poses. I would like to host a drawing session with 1 to 2 models in the event space in or around the Out of the Box shipping containers. Since the space will be open, the public models will be clothed and possibly have a few costumes to change in and out of to give artists an opportunity to practice drawing figures in different fabrics and poses. I have budgeted to be able to compensate models for their time and effort for this event, so entry cost to this event will be either very low or free to the public.
“I was so excited to participate in the Groundhog Show this year. It was amazing to see a space filled up with so many NEO artists and a great way to meet other artists from Akron, Cleveland and surrounding areas. What I appreciated the most was how accessible it felt. There were artists in all stages of their careers and it was great to feel the positive and supportive energy we all shared at the opening. Truly impressed how easy it was to participate in this show too! Clear, easy communications - it’s no wonder it’s such a successful and impactful event.”
-MOO
“I had the great fortune of having a painting accepted into the 2023 Groundhog Show. An attendee, during the final hours on the final day, came and saw my work. They went home to be sure it would fit their space, then reached out through Instagram, since that information was included in the exhibition, to inquire as to whether it was still available. They did indeed purchase the work and it is now gracing the wall of their home. I am so grateful to Hope Hickman and Taylor Clapp for all of their hard work in putting this wonderful exhibition together.”
-Andrea Schepis
Taylor Clapp and Hope Hickman, Co-Curators and Organizers of The Groundhog Show
2022
The Groundhog Show was an idea that came to Hope Hickman in the spring of 2021 to have an art show/party in her father’s warehouse celebrating socialization, domesticity, and relationships. The show got its name because it is as if us artists are popping our heads out “post-covid” and claiming back the summer. Hope made a quick story on Instagram sharing the idea and Taylor Clapp soon joined the project to assist with the logistics of putting on an exhibition. The dynamic duo co-curated and organized this passion project celebrating the artists of NE Ohio for three years in a row at Hope’s father’s warehouse in Portage Lakes.
After three successful years Hope has decided to pursue other opportunities and Taylor will be relocating the show to Downtown Akron.
(Image left to right: Taylor Clapp and Hope Hickman, 2022)
2023
2023 Groundhog Show Reception Photo Credit:
Geri Pittl & Grace Carter
2022
2022 Groundhog Show Reception Photo Credit:
Cleveland Escapes by Kerry Johnson
