About
Mission
White Rabbit Galleries serves to provide a space for local artists to create, display, and offer their art for sale. Additionally, we strive to promote the arts and offer educational opportunities and art classes to our community.
History
White Rabbit Galleries began in 2021 through the partnership of Laura Smith and Molly Brown, two artists looking to provide better opportunities for local artisans to create, sell, and educate the community and surrounding areas. WRG is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community arts center featuring multiple galleries, resident artists, working studio spaces and a consignment shop. It is located in the Weigand Building at 571 W. Tuscarawas Avenue in the heart of Barberton's Arts & Entertainment District. This building has been home to many businesses and organizations including Weigand Furniture, the Barberton Health Dept., a senior citizens center, and two previous arts operations. WRG is proud to call this location AND Barberton home. Afterall, we do "bleed purple."
Akron Beacon Journal Photograph Collection
Meet The Team
Laura Smith
Executive Director
With an extensive background in finance, our organization broke ground with the hard work and determination of Laura. A University of Akron graduate, fiber and stained glass artist, mother of four, and Barberton, born and raised. You'll often find her knitting down at the arts center and you're more than welcome to join.
Molly Brown
Executive Creative Director
A Studio Arts graduate of The Myers School of Art, Molly's preferred art mediums are ceramics, sculpture, and photography, though she'll be the first to tell you she dabbles in all forms of art. Born and raised in Barberton, recent Manchester transplant, avid gardener. When you see Molly, she'll often be covered in paint, clay, or paper mâché, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
James Smith
Facilities Manager
This guy right here? Let's just say we wouldn't have such a fresh new look or smooth operation without Jim to build every vision and fix every crumble. He's even there to bounce the occasional 8-legged intruder. Longtime carpenter/roofer, woodworking maker, beer brewer extraordinaire.
A community art center,
run by artists.
Our Board of Directors
Laura Smith | President, Executive Director |
Molly Brown | Secretary, Executive Creative Director |
Nicholas Brown | Chairman of the Board |
Miriam Daniel | Board Member |
Kate DeAngelis | Board Member |
Joyce Coburn | Board Member |
Christine Finan | Board Member |
Tom Suppan | Board Member |
Justin Chenault | Special Advisor |
Alekzandria Peugh | Special Advisor |
William Judge | Special Advisor |