Please join us for a conversation with the curator and artist featured in The Glorious Heroes Exhibition hosted at The Outpost at The Last Resort Artist Retreat. 

The Glorious Heroes exhibition features the Baltimore-based artist and visionary storyteller, Akio Evans. This show celebrates the idea of the "superhero," honoring icons of fiction and the glorious heroes who walk among us. Akio was inspired by his late mother, Glorious Taylor, whose name and spirit live through his work. After her passing in 2012 he discovered the meaning of his name, which translates to "glorious hero" and "bright man." Each piece whether shoe mural, wearable art, or canvas transforms stories into visual artifacts that connect generations. Using heat transfers, imagery, and mixed media, Akio uses his art as an act of preservation of legacy. This exhibition is not only a reflection of Akio's personal journey but an invitation for others to recognize the hero within themselves.

About the Curator

Arthur Fitzhugh III is a proud girl dad, artist, and curator from Baltimore, MD. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Penn State University, and pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Business, with a focus in Arts Administration at the University of Baltimore. His curatorial practice focuses on innovative storytelling at the intersection of art and the human experience. Through interactive installations and immersive gallery environments, Arthur’s curatorial projects invite audiences into multi-sensory spaces. He currently serves as Program Coordinator at the Black Arts District, developing enriching community activations through mentorship and fundraising. Arthur is also the Liaison Manager at Charm City Cultural Cultivation, overseeing current and future events across the CharmCityCC programming.

About the Artist

Akio Evans is a Baltimore-born artist and visionary storyteller whose work fuses fine art, fashion, and cultural preservation. Renowned as a pioneer of shoe mural art, Akio transforms sneakers into timeless canvases wrapping legacy, history, and personal narrative around each pair. His wearable art has adorned the feet of legends like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Dr. Dre, and his collectible art apparel each piece signed and numbered has been acquired by creators including Ava DuVernay, Spike Lee, David Simon, Courtney Kemp, Reinaldo Marcus Green, and other collectors have chosen to display his work as gallery pieces in their homes or feature them at red carpet events. His creative journey spans from galleries to sets, with fashion designs featured on HBO's We Own This City, Apple TV's Swagger, Hulu's Grown-ish, and Peacock's Bel-Air. Akio's signature approach has made him a trusted collaborator in both the entertainment and fashion industries. Beyond the spotlight, Akio leads community-rooted workshops across the country from museums to juvenile detention centers-using wearable art as a tool for healing, legacy-building, and self-expression. As founder of Hearts and Heroes Studios, his mission is to inspire others to not just consume art, but to collect meaning and preserve story. Through every canvas, boot, or stitched garment, Akio Evans invites you to wear the story and walk in purpose.

Please RSVP to attend.

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