CURRENT GROUP EXHIBIT: CHROMA - White Rabbit Galleries. August 16th - September 21st, 2024

Open themed show with an emphasis on pieces of art that display bright colors and vibrancy. My piece entitled “Risk-Takers” is on display.

Opening Reception is Friday August 16th 5:00 - 8:00 PM.

Gallery located at 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave Barberton, OH 44203. Gallery hours are Thursdays/Fridays 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturdays 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Sundays & Mondays - Closed. Tuesdays & Wednesdays - Open by Appointment only.

PAST SOLO EXHIBIT: The Aunties - Summit Artspace, Horizon Gallery. APRIL - JUNE 2024

This solo exhibition explored the importance of aunties’ roles in Black and Brown communities. “When your parents need help, especially from a feminine perspective, the aunties are often called first,” Sykes explains. “The Aunties serves as a diverse example of what womanhood looks like, which is crucial in a world where the identities of Black women are often placed in small boxes.” Sykes created this group of paintings to highlight what “auntie” means by gathering responses from people in the community about their most cherished impression, memory, or insight from an auntie.  

Sykes was selected by local artists and jurors Darius Steward and Gwen Waight for Summit Artspace’s 3rd annual solo exhibition for BIPOC+ (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists.  

This exhibition is funded, in part, by support from the Vernon L. Odom Fund at the Akron Community Foundation. 

(Text credit - Summit Artspace)

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: DAY GLO Show - Waterloo Arts. MARCH 1-30 2024

This one was GROOVY. Group exhibit featuring 30-40 artists who are created art using DayGlo paint, as provided by the DayGlo Color Corp. This exhibit was displayed under black light for a non traditional experience of art.

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: People in Places with Things and Ideas - Summa Healing Art Gallery. JAN - MAR 2024

People in Places with Things and Ideas, features works by six Northeast Ohio artists showcasing contemporary figurative art that relates to the human figure. People have been a prevalent theme in visual art for centuries, and our fascination with artwork that centers on the human as subject matter shows no sign of fading. People in Places with Things and Ideas, consists of works that are vibrant and full of life. The works are filled with complex symbolism and meaning while some provide depictions of observed reality. 

Featured artists include Lee Heinen, Frank Oriti, Christine Ries, Sylvia Sykes, Muriel Tillman and Shane Wynn. (Text credit - Summa Healing Art Gallery)

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: FLORA Exhibition - White Rabbit Galleries. JAN 2024 - FEB 2024

Juried annual exhibition for White Rabbit Galleries featuring art that related to the theme of flora and plants.

PAST SOLO EXHIBIT: The Book of Akron 3:30 - Akron Soul Train. SEPT 2023 - OCT 2023.

This project was created from my time as an artist-in-residence at Akron Soul Train. This body of work is focused on recreating Bible stories within a modern context within recognizable Akron settings. I wrote 16 short stories with familiar Biblical messaging and then painted scenes from those stories. Both visual art and written work was displayed together. The goal of the exhibition was to encourage the viewer to reflect on their moral compass in our modern world and how their values are illustrated in their life choices.

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: Members Show: Akron Soul Train. JUNE 21-JULY 22, 2023.

The Akron Soul Train (AST) Members' Show celebrated the creativity, cultural voice, and experiences of the AST community. Showcasing a cross-section of talent from around the region, the exhibit highlighted individuals who care and appreciate Akron Soul Train’s ultimate mission to support creators and make art accessible to all. {Text Credit: AST Website}

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: Ragtime Exhibit - Weathervane Playhouse. JUNE 15 - JULY 09.

This exhibit was curated to highlight local artists of color in reverence for the theme of Ragtime the Musical and was on display for the duration of the show from June 15th to July 9th, 2023.

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: 3rd Annual Groundhog Show - Portage Lakes Warehouse

“The Groundhog Show was an idea that came to Hope Hickman (artist and math brained extrovert) 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 was as if 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 (artist/graphic designer and color coded brained introvert) soon joined the project to assist with the logistics of putting on an exhibition. The dynamic duo now co-curate and organize this passion project celebrating the artists of NE Ohio for its third year in a row.” {Text Credit: Clapp for Art Website} . This exhibit featured artwork from over 100 NE Ohio artists.

PAST SOLO EXHIBIT: THE EQUINOX - White Rabbit Galleries

This exhibit was in celebration of the Fall Equinox (which occured during the course of the exhibit on September 22) when there was a balance of equal night/day. It was also in reference to Libra Season (my Rising Sign) which is all about balance, fairness and justice. All featured art, 24 NEW pieces, highlighted balance in some way; in light, color, composition, subject matter or by metaphor.

PAST SOLO EXHIBIT: CROWNS - Muggswigz, July 1st, 2022 - August 30th, 2022.

Small solo show (13 pieces) that highlighted subjects who have inspired me from the Akron/Canton area with vibrant colored hair, elaborate hairstyles and/or interesting head decorations. None of the pieces pictured on flier were apart of this show, all new work was created for this series.

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT - This group show featured 5 local artists highlighting our personal history in the city of Akron, OH. June 10th - June 17th.

PAST GROUP EXHIBIT: FACES OF AKRON - Summit Artspace, May 27 - June 25

SA commissioned six local artists—Alexandria Couch, Meryl Engler, Hope Hickman, Micah Kraus, Christine Ries, and Sylvia Sykes (myself)—to create unique portraits of members of the community to reflect Akron's diversity. Thank you to Sharon Connor, Dara Harper, Lolo Mangual-Lenke (my subject), Debbie Schinker, Derek Tholt, and Gwen Waight for submitting your portraits!