Destination Akron
In 2017, the term "destination worthy" is what Akron’s Sherbondy Hill neighborhood kids used to characterize what they wanted to see in their environment. "I want people to have to come here to see something they can't see anywhere else.”
This insight came from Art x Love's @PLAY project, which was funded by a $240,000 Knight Cities grant, and toured every street in Akron’s 24 neighborhoods to interview residents, identify opportunities to improve quality of life, and invest in creative projects that bring diverse people together and encourage deeper community connections.
Jeremy Jenkins, a local artist and graphic designer, was commissioned by Art x Love to create an iconic Akron letterform sculpture and fulfill resident's desire for more distinct public artwork in Akron's neighborhoods. "It was a tall order," said Mac, leader of the @PLAY project. "We could only afford $8,000-$10,000, so I put the call out to Akron's metalworkers and artists to see if this was even feasible. Jeremy responded with a powerful concept and elegant solution. People immediately loved it."
"I designed the benches to create a landmark for the City in the shape of an arrow and recognizable letter," says Jenkins. "I wanted to plant a mental seed with the A-form as something to aspire to. A top grade.” Art x Love hired John Comunale, of Comunale Sculptural Concepts, to collaborate with Jenkins on the construction and completion of the Destination Akron benches.
The benches were completed and unveiled to the public at 2018’s Signal Tree Festival. The original plan sought to install the benches in public locations across the City of Akron, but Art x Love was notified by city officials in 2019 that there was a moratorium on all public art projects until the Akron Cultural Plan was complete. Undeterred, Art x Love partnered with local leaders and cultural organizations to bring the benches to Stan Hywet (North), Firestone Park Community Center (South), Soap Box Derby (East), and Summit County Historical Society (West)*.
"Akron is full of treasures," says Love. "To me, these benches and the journey of installing them will always reflect the integrity, resilience, and character of this community. I love the geometry of the Jeremy's design and the wireframe look at the top," says Love. "It echoes what Akron residents expressed to us – a powerful pride, strong determination, and aspiring vision for the future."
* Due to archeological excavations and ongoing construction, the Yellow A at the Summit County Historical Society was kept in storage from 2019-2024. It has since been moved to the Howard Street Heritage Courtyard.
