Akron's streets are getting a splash of color from an unexpected source—traffic control boxes. The Akron Public Art Commission, following a successful first round, is now looking for local artists to take part in the second round of transforming these mundane objects into vibrant canvases. This initiative aims to infuse Akron’s intersections with art that embodies the city's unique character, history, and spirit. A call for submissions has been announced, offering artists a chance to contribute to the streetscape's aesthetic enhancement and celebrate Akron's diverse voices.
Interested artists can expect a straightforward submission process, as detailed by the Commission. They're advised to send in digital designs, either in vector or high-resolution raster format, which must be scalable for large-scale printing. Mediums such as painting, drawing, digital art, and photography are welcome. As expressed in the official news release by the City of Akron, the goal is to represent "richness and diversity of our communities" in the art pieces. A stipend of $250 will be provided for each selected work, offering not just a chance to beautify the city but also to gain some economic benefit.
Submissions will be judged on artistic merit, relevance to the Akron theme, feasibility for printing, and geographic representation. This is an opportunity for artists from all backgrounds—with no restrictions on experience or age—to leave a mark on the city. The final selected pieces will be printed and installed as vinyl wraps on traffic light control boxes. Artists are invited to submit their designs by November 9, with the selection process running from November 10 to November 17, according to the Akron Public Art Commission release, in a statement obtained by the City of Akron.
The project not only benefits the selected artists but also the local populace, who will witness a transformation of day-to-day infrastructure into a public art exhibit. For more details, artists can contact Summer Hall, Akron Public Art Liaison, through the provided email or phone number. With the integration of community art into the city's fabric, Akron's Public Art Commission invests in a visual narrative that echoes the voices within its bounds—an ode to the collective creativity waiting to be discovered at every turn.
