If you’re going to wear a mask in public, why not make a statement with it?
That’s the thinking behind the Mask-R-Aid show, a current gallery exhibition that invited Northeast Ohio artists to re-imagine the COVID-19 mask as a work of art.
Turning Adversity Into Artistic Expression: Curated Storefront’s Exhibit, MASK-R-AID, on view in downtown Akron
The reimagined masks in Curated Storefront’s online exhibit, MASK-R-AID, can now be seen in person in the storefronts of the Polsky Building, at 12 University Avenue in downtown Akron through September 25, 2020. The skillfully transformed masks demonstrate the ingenuity and persistence of these artists, even in the face of a pandemic and economic shutdown.
Creativity unmasked: Akron artist captures extreme reactions to coronavirus pandemic
As the coronavirus crisis developed in March, Akron artist and Barberton art teacher Ron White thought that something was off about people’s reaction.
“Usually people were much calmer when we had a past experience,” White said.
He saw an extreme response that didn’t make sense. People were snatching up groceries and supplies so quickly that stores couldn’t keep some items on the shelves.
On social media, he saw posts about individuals building man caves underground. Society seemed to be overreacting to a situation the populace hadn’t confronted before.
“Where’s this going to go?” White asked himself.
MASK-R-AID Award Announcements
Artistic masks at Curated Storefront on exhibit, for sale
If anybody knows how to put some fun into having to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic, it looks like Curated Storefront does.
The organization is hosting MASK-R-AID, an online exhibition of artistic yet functional masks that kicks off Friday and runs through Sept. 25. At 6 p.m. Friday, the organization will announce live on its Facebook page its first- through third-place mask design winners, who will receive cash awards of $2,500, $1,000 and $300.
Call for Artists: MASK-R-AID
In response to the CDC's recommendation for people to wear masks in public and as COVID-19 continues to impact the arts ecosystem, Curated Storefront announces a call for artists to create functional masks to be put into production, sold online at www.CuratedStorefront.org, and exhibited at a Curated Storefront site.
Curated Storefront’s mission is to support the creative economy by continuing to provide artists with a source of income. Half of the proceeds from sales will go back to artists directly with the remainder benefiting Curated Storefront. This puts great art in the hands and on the faces of the public while helping them to stay safe.
Meet the 2019 Knight Arts Challenge Akron winners
16 winners share $592,000 in Knight Arts Challenge Akron grants
In another visual art project, the Summit County Probate Court was awarded $50,000 for "Curated Courthouse" to bring a curated series of exhibits of local amateur and professional artists to the Summit County Courthouse. The courthouse, which had mounted art exhibits in the last several years with the Developmental Disabilities Board, Community Support Services and Summit Metro Parks, saw how the artwork brightened people's days.
Things to do Aug. 16.: Blossom concert; PechaKucha; U2 tribute; free show in Ellet
Yoly Miller & Courtney Cable: PechaKucha 15, Friday Night
Knight Foundation Announces 2019 Arts Challenge Akron Finalists
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced 36 finalists were chosen in the 2019 Knight Arts Challenge Akron.
The arts challenge seeks out ideas that connect people to each other and to place to ultimately strengthen communities. The winners get a share of $1 million to help them bring their ideas to life.
Downtown Akron’s $30 million Law Building project poised to begin
Ryback said his firm conducted an in-house study that confirmed the feasibility of the Akron undertaking.
“We looked at the neighborhood and what Akron needed,” Ryback said. The study concluded a market existed in downtown Akron “for the proposed residential units to be developed as smart and quality apartments.”
The 1911 building at 159 S. Main St. will be stuffed with amenities, according to plans for its renovation. They include a health club, roof garden, demonstration kitchen and Amazon drop-off.
Curated Storefront’s “Reverie” by Ian Brill Honored Nationally at Americans for the Arts Convention in Minneapolis
Akron Community Foundation funds distribute nearly $2.3 million in quarterly grants
Knight Foundation arts director on lookout for ideas that rev up Akron
As in previous years, the Knight Foundation’s mission is to foster informed and engaged communities, using the transformative power of the arts as a means to that end.
Ganuza cited Akron arts challenge winner the Curated Storefront as an example of an Akron project that created a larger impact downtown. Empty storefronts were transformed temporarily into art installation spaces, beautifying the streetscape, encouraging people to come downtown to patronize nearby businesses and casting the storefronts in a different light.
Illuminating Akron: Curated Storefront
For a city to be considered alive, a certain number of lights must be shining at night. I am sure there is an equation that factors in the size and population and spits out the number of watts necessary to achieve the appropriate lumens required for an “Alive” rating.
Two years ago, Downtown Akron began shifting into that category when recently retired businessman Rick Rogers and his mighty crew founded the project known as Curated Storefront. With the help of designer Courtney Cable and installers Casey Vogt and Steve Levey, Rogers is adding life to Akron’s Downtown.
Make it to Main: Boiling House
DAP is excited to launch our "Make it to Main" video series with a spotlight on Boiling House Akron near Main & Exchange.
Decades After Closing, the O'Neil's-Polsky's Christmas Display Rivalry Continues
Tassiello has collected hundreds of items which she has used over the past six years to recreate some of that old holiday magic in the windows of the former O’Neil’s.
Across the street, Curated Storefront -- a group that has created public works of art in unused storefronts throughout downtown Akron – is helping to revive a sense of the old holiday rivalry downtown. They’re creating a multimedia art and lighting installation at the former Polsky’s.
Lonely Planet Features Downtown Akron's 'Under the radar' Arts and Culture Scene
You’re never far from a live performance, art gallery or public art installation in Akron, Ohio. Over the past decade, this Great Lakes city – home to artists like Devo and the Black Keys – has transformed from a rundown former industrial town into a vibrant hub for artists of all kinds (and a wallet-friendly tourist paradise).
Take a colorful walking tour
Gamers find Pokemon and artwork in downtown Akron
On Saturday afternoon, the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau hoped to entice at least some of those gamers to experience the public art covering walls and storefronts downtown and perhaps catch a shiny Squirtle or secure a coveted mythical Celebi.
The event, dubbed Good Art Hunting, is one of three planned here over the next few months and is being spearheaded by Roger Riddle, the visitors bureau’s marketing and social media manager, in collaboration with the game’s creator. It came about from a Niantic/Knight Fellowship designed to enhance community programs and is among similar events in cities like Philadelphia; Macon, Ga.; and Charlotte, N.C.