The Akron Art Museum is well on its way to completing the renovations of its historic 1899 building. And in a few months, the public will get to see the reimagined space.
Subcontractors and workers from Summit Construction Co. were busy throughout the space last week when Signal Akron stopped by for a tour. Renovations are happening across the three-story building in preparation for a late summer opening celebration.
The Italian Renaissance Revival-style building originally served as Akron’s first post office. It became the home of the Akron Art Museum in 1981. A second, larger building was added to the museum in 2007. Referred to as “the new building” by museum staffers, it’s where all of the current public exhibitions are on display. But that will change with the addition of gallery space in the original building.
“Part of the strategy is to blend the design elements of the two buildings,” said Jon Fiume, the John S. Knight Director and CEO of the museum. He pointed out spaces where glass walls would be installed in the new space, playing off the glass exterior of its sister building.
On the third floor, large arched windows facing Market Street will be uncovered from the inside, letting abundant light into the office area.
The renovated space will include the Tony and Susie Paparella Galleries on the second floor. The expanded exhibition space will open with “The Surrealist Impulse.” Featuring works from Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Marcel Duchamp and others, the exhibit will explore the influence of the art movements Dada and Surrealism.
Idea Machine to serve as an interactive space for visitors
On the first floor, the C. Blake McDowell Jr. Gallery is getting a facelift. The space originally housed the museum’s early acquisitions. They were removed three years ago because of issues with temperature control in the gallery. It was then used as a classroom.
Thanks to an updated HVAC system, the gallery will once again display artwork. It will be turned into a black box space to display contemporary art such as digital work, video and installation as well as performance art. “Shana Moulton: Meta/Physical Therapy” will open the space. The exhibition features synchronized video projections, sculptural environments and theatrical elements.
Also on the first floor, two galleries will become the J.M. Smucker Co. Idea Machine, which will serve as a hands-on space for visitors to interact with art. Up first in the space is “Idea Machine by CHIAOZZA.” The Brooklyn-based duo of Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao make funky, colorful creations — from wall hangings to life-size pieces — that encourage viewers to play and interact with the art.
The goal, said Fiume, is to create “spaces that you can walk into and engage [with] and touch and feel.”
Other changes to the 1899 building include a new classroom, updated office space, new bathrooms and a feeding room, an expanded framing room, archive storage and more space for the IT department.
Akron Art Museum will remain open throughout construction
Fiume said the museum is on track to be ready for its September grand opening. Still, there have been some surprises. The flooring in the McDowell Gallery had to be redone when it was revealed that the original clay tiles had essentially disintegrated after decades of wear and tear.
“There’s an increased chance of surprises when working with a building from 1899,” he said.
The last time the museum underwent renovations was in 2004. The changes were mainly cosmetic because, at the time, there wasn’t enough money to overhaul the HVAC, Fiume said. Funds for the $13 million capital campaign to support the renovations came from foundations, the state and corporate and private donors.
The Akron Art Museum will host a free public opening celebration on Sept. 24 featuring tours, new exhibits, artists and family activities. The museum is open throughout the renovations, with current exhibits from Kent Monkman, Jess T. Dugan and Rachel Libeskind. For more Akron Art Museum events, visit akronartmuseum.org.
