Lonely Planet
By Heather Kerrigan
November 1, 2018
Under the radar USA: music, murals and museums in Akron, Ohio
by Heather Kerrigan, Lonley Planet Writer
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
Begin your cultural tour of Akron in the heart of downtown to enjoy some open-air art. In its heyday, Akron was the Rubber Capital of the World, a manufacturing hub supplying the trucking and automobile sectors. The industry’s decline in the late 20th century brought with it empty storefronts and a steep decline in population. The Curated Storefront Project has found a way to repurpose some of those storefronts around Main St by turning them into an ongoing, rotating exhibition of multimedia artworks. Consider checking it out both day and night to take advantage of some of the lighted displays. You can pop into the Akron-Summit County Public Library downtown for a Curated Storefront illuminated walk-through exhibit.