Exciting Update: Akron's Public Art Inventory is Almost Here! Discover the Creative Gems Coming to Life!

Unlocking Akron's Hidden Gems: The Art Inventory Revolution

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Akron Public Art Commission is on a mission to catalog every piece of public art in the city. Spearheaded by the dynamic duo Mac and Allyse Love of Art x Love, this ambitious project is nearing completion, with approximately 95% of the inventory already documented. But what does this mean for the city and its residents? Let’s dive into the details!

The Vision Behind the Project

The primary aim of this inventory is to create a comprehensive catalog of public art assets, along with their current conditions. Once finalized, an interactive map featuring this inventory will be available on the Public Art Commission’s website, allowing residents and visitors to explore Akron's artistic landscape.

• Total Artworks Inventoried: 487
• Accessibility: 83% of the artworks are publicly accessible
• Storage Status: The remaining pieces are either in storage or located in secured areas.

For the purposes of this inventory, public art is defined as "an item created by an artist, creative team, or skilled craftsman that cannot be replaced by another individual." This broad definition encompasses a variety of categories, including:

• Painting
• Drawing
• Mural
• Sculpture
• Memorials
• Furniture
• Land Art
• Digital Art

What's Next for Akron's Art Scene?

As of now, the Loves still need to inventory 15 parks across the city, alongside the John Brown monument at the Akron Zoo and artworks along the Towpath Trail. Mac Love emphasized the importance of thoroughness, stating, “We just want to make sure we top all our Ts and dot all our Is on all the city properties.”

Condition of the Artworks

In addition to documenting the inventory, the Loves are assessing the condition of each piece of art. The findings reveal:

• 28% of artworks are in excellent to very good condition
• 60% are in neutral to poor condition
• 11% are damaged, but less than half are at risk of becoming hazardous

Interestingly, a significant number of artworks are rated poorly due to dirt or fading. “Just a little bit of cleaning or minor touchup would really transform public perception of these assets in the public space,” noted Mac Love.

Enhancing Public Engagement with Art

Next steps include finalizing the inventory and refining the data for both internal and external display. The Loves envision featuring between 25 and 200 items on an interactive map, drawing inspiration from their previous project, "Gems of Summit County," which showcases art, culture, and history across 31 communities.

More Insights from the Meeting

At the recent commission meeting, a location was selected for the traffic signal box art project at Chapel Hill, specifically at the intersection of Brittain Road and Tallmadge Avenue. The commission had previously chosen the artwork from a selection of artists.

Curious about the next steps? The next Public Art Commission meeting is scheduled for November 13 at 4 p.m. Stay informed and engaged!

What do you think?

• Do you believe public art significantly impacts community pride?
• Should more funding be allocated to the maintenance and cleaning of public artworks?
• What types of art do you think best represent Akron's culture?
• Is it essential for all public art to be accessible to everyone?
• How can we encourage more local artists to contribute to public art projects?