Joya: AiR / Randy Akers / USA
photo Simon Beckmann
‘My journey to Joya: AiR was applied for and planned all most 9 months prior. This gave me ample time and circumstances to strategize over what could be “achieved” and accomplished during my revered time there.
Very little of it came to pass, but was instead replaced by concepts, relationships, and revelations that were much more valuable. After the first few days of acclimating, work became much more organic and a natural flow of the days’ relaxed routine…ultimately renewing purpose. The spontaneous, authentic discussions and lasting friendships certainly have been the most valuable resource and will be packed away for future use. Donna and Simon have thankfully created a welcoming and necessary refuge that will have a lasting impact’.
Randy Akers
Randy Akers is a visual artist working on Skidaway Island, Georgia. He has shown at the Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art, University of New Mexico's Harwood Foundation, Brownsville Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Anchorage Art Museum, University of North Carolina, Valdosta University, Masur Museum of Art, SUNY Genesseo, Florida A&M University, Marietta / Cobb Museum of Art, LaGrange Art Museum, Ormond Art Museum, and Maryland Federation of Art among others. Akers wass honored with a 2021 arts residency at Cill Rialaig, Ireland. Past residencies include Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Wyoming in 2019 and 2015 and Foundation OBRAS, Portugal in 2017. His one-person show, Road to Canaan, was included in the VIVA Florida 500. Work was selected by the Office of the Governor for The Art of Georgia, sponsored by the Georgia Council of the Arts.
In his past career, Akers directed and designed international television commercials, movie titles, music videos, and print for Fortune 500 companies. He has been affiliated with Curious Pictures (NY), R/GA Digital Studios (NY), Broadcast Arts, (NY), Yarra Films (Singapore), Kessler-Irish Films (Toronto), and AFI Films (Miami). Akers is a member of the Director's Guild of America, the Broadcast Design Association, and served as an advisor to the Delphi Conference exploring the convergence of art and technology. He has taught at the School of Visual Arts, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and Cazenovia College. He received his M.F.A. at the Savannah College of Art and Design; B.F.A, Chouinard Art Institute, California Institute of the Arts; additional academic work at Art Center College of Design, California State University Northridge and University of Oregon. Akers served on the board of Art Rise Savannah and Arts Georgia advisory council.
Akers is represented by Jane's Art Center, New Smyrna Beach, FL., L/Ross Gallery, Memphis, TN, J Costello Gallery, Hilton Head, SC, and Reinike Gallery, Atlanta, GA.