Akron Life September 2022

YEARS 20

PAGES

R A D A R

by Avery Savage

AKRON LIFE CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!

seen + heard

THEN & NOW: AKRON ART MUSEUM 2003 The Akron Art Museum

was known as the Akron Art Institute when it launched in borrowed spaces in 1922. It changed its name in 1980, and it moved into its fourth and final home in the 1899 Post Office building. In 2003, plans for an addition were underway and Akron Life spotlighted an architect collaborating with the Viennnese Coop Himmelb(l)- au firm, Tom Wiscombe, who was named young architect of the year. The addition opened in 2007 and more than tripled the size of the museum by creat ing a sleek, modern glass and steel structure, the John S. and James L. Knight Building, that joins the historic building to form “a museum of the future.” Now As the museum celebrates its centennial over the next two years, it focuses on creating welcoming spaces for the entire community. The lobby has been redesigned, but most notably the permanent collection has been revamped in six themed galleries with more than 100 modern and contemporary pieces by more than 70 artists. The art in these galleries offers more diversity and addresses issues like politics, climate change, race and gender, including the new “Images of Blackness” gal lery that features artist Nick Cave’s 2018 mixed-media piece

MAP QUEST Akron’s neighborhoods tell stories of the past. Akron’s North Hill neighborhood was originally called Akron’s “Little Italy,” because of its Italian and Polish popula tions, and now several Bhutanese-Nepali refugees also live there. And the Middlebury neighborhood, founded in 1808, is the oldest one in Akron and was home to an old sub neighborhood called Cooks Settlement that was popu lated by potters who worked at a nearby plant. Learn more little-known facts like these in local author and historian Sharon Moreland Myers’ recent book, “Akron Neighborhoods: Old and New” ($49.99, indepen dently published). The 384-page book has over 200 color photos depicting various landmarks, build ings, street art and more in Akron’s 24 neighbor hoods. “Each neighborhood is unique,” Myers says. “They all have their own personality.” amazon.com

Sharon Moreland Myers, photo provided by author

TROLLING ALONG Troll dolls with colorful hair that stands up spark nostalgia for worldwide baby boomers and millennials who grew up with them. From Sept. 23 to 25, troll lovers unite for the Alliance of Trolls Convention in Alliance, which is home to the Troll Hole Museum that holds a Guinness World Record for having the world’s largest troll doll collection with over 40,000 troll dolls and memorabilia items. The kooky convention features troll-related activities including a comedy show and scavenger hunt. It ends with a Troll Hobble 5K fun run for which you can don a troll wig, T-shirt or tutu and win a troll-tastic prize! 228 E. Main St., Alliance, atc.thetrollhole.com

“Soundsuit,” which conceals race and gender to question

notions of identity. Head to the museum to get a look at global art from the past 170-plus years as well as fresh, challenging art.

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