The Akron Art Museum greeted guests with copious amounts of color on Wednesday, not only from art within the institution’s newly renovated 1899 building, but also via scores of floral displays within its walls.

The debut of the space at 1 S. High St., now named the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Building, coincided with the Akron Garden Club’s Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibition of the Garden Club of America flower show. As part of show, visitors took in more than a dozen floral designs paired with works of art displayed throughout the museum’s galleries.

At a cost of $12.5 million, renovation of the Italian Renaissance Revival-style building began in 2025. It originally served as Akron’s first post office and became the home of the Akron Art Museum in 1981. A second, larger building was added to the museum in 2007. The newly renovated building features 2,152 square feet of gallery space and a 957-square-foot dedicated classroom.

The museum will host a free community celebration from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 for visitors to enjoy art, music, family activities, gallery experiences, food and drinks while exploring the transformed 1899 Building and the museum’s newest exhibitions.

Macedonia resident Steve Hawley looks at the piece "Le village des sirènes" by artist Paul Delvaux in the exhibit “The Surrealist Impulse,” located on the second floor of the Akron Art Museum's newly renovated 1899 building.
Macedonia resident Steve Hawley looks at the piece “Le village des sirènes” by artist Paul Delvaux in the exhibit “The Surrealist Impulse,” located on the second floor of the Akron Art Museum’s newly renovated 1899 building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Akron residents and longtime friends Cindy Jones, left, and Ken McPherson look at a floral design as part of the Akron Garden Club's Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibit of the Garden Club of America Garden Show, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. The event coincided with the re-opening on Sept. 23 of the Akron Art Museum's renovated 1899 building.
Akron residents and longtime friends Cindy Jones, left, and Ken McPherson look at a floral design as part of the Akron Garden Club’s Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibit of the Garden Club of America Garden Show, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. The event coincided with the re-opening on Sept. 23 of the Akron Art Museum’s renovated 1899 building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Sergio Roper, right, an idea mechanic for the Akron Art Museum, points out the piece "CHIAOZZA Newsstand" to Katie Fry, left, and her wife Sue Lacy on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Sergio Roper, right, an idea mechanic for the Akron Art Museum, points out the piece “CHIAOZZA Newsstand” to Katie Fry, left, and her wife Sue Lacy on Wednesday, Sept. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Windflowers are on display at the Akron Garden Club Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibit of the Garden Club of America Garden Show. The event coincided with the re-opening of the Akron Art Museum's renovated 1899 building.
Windflowers are on display at the Akron Garden Club Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibit of the Garden Club of America Garden Show. The event coincided with the re-opening of the Akron Art Museum’s renovated 1899 building on Sept. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Originally serving as Akron’s first post office, the Italian Renaissance Revival-style building at the corner of East Market and North High streets became the home of the Akron Art Museum in 1981. A second larger building was added to the museum in 2007.
Originally serving as Akron’s first post office, the Italian Renaissance Revival-style building at the corner of East Market and North High streets became the home of the Akron Art Museum in 1981. A second larger building was added to the museum in 2007. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Attendees take in the Akron Garden Club's Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibition of the Garden Club of America flower show, on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Akron Art Museum. The event coincided with the re-opening of the museum's renovated 1899 building.
Attendees take in the Akron Garden Club’s Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibition of the Garden Club of America flower show, on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Akron Art Museum. The event coincided with the re-opening of the museum’s renovated 1899 building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Akron resident Bill Boyett tours the Akron Art Museum's newly renovated 1899 building on Wednesday, Sept. 23. On the first floor of the space, two galleries became the J.M. Smucker Co. Idea Machine, which includes work 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.
Akron resident Bill Boyett tours the Akron Art Museum’s newly renovated 1899 building on Wednesday, Sept. 23. On the first floor of the space, two galleries became the J.M. Smucker Co. Idea Machine, which includes work 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. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
The second floor of the Akron Art Museum's newly renovated 1899 building features the Tony and Susie Paparella Galleries. The expanded exhibition space opened with “The Surrealist Impulse,” featuring works from Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Marcel Duchamp and others.
The second floor of the Akron Art Museum’s newly renovated 1899 building features the Tony and Susie Paparella Galleries. The expanded exhibition space opened with “The Surrealist Impulse,” featuring works from Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Marcel Duchamp and others. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Akron Art Museum gallery teachers Meg Young, left, and Melih Meric chat in a new classroom space within the museum's recently renovated 1899 building.
Akron Art Museum gallery teachers Meg Young, left, and Melih Meric chat in a new classroom space within the museum’s recently renovated 1899 building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Renovations to the Akron Art Museum's 1899 building include a new classroom.
Renovations to the Akron Art Museum’s 1899 building include a new classroom. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Patrons gather at the Akron Art Museum on Wednesday Sept. 23, as the Akron Garden Club presented Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibit of the Garden Club of America Garden Show. The event coincided with the re-opening of the museum's renovated 1899 building.
Patrons gather at the Akron Art Museum on Wednesday Sept. 23, as the Akron Garden Club presented Arts Bloom 2026, a one-day exhibit of the Garden Club of America Garden Show. The event coincided with the re-opening of the museum’s renovated 1899 building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Colorful objects fill the piece "Bento No. 8" by CHIAOZZA in the Akron Art Museum's newly renovated 1899 building.
Colorful objects fill the piece “Bento No. 8” by CHIAOZZA in the Akron Art Museum’s newly renovated 1899 building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
On the first floor of the Akron Art Museum's newly renovated 1899 building, Sergio Roper, an idea mechanic for the museum, explains activities that patrons can participate in in conjunction with works of art on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
On the first floor of the Akron Art Museum’s newly renovated 1899 building, Sergio Roper, an idea mechanic for the museum, explains activities that patrons can participate in in conjunction with works of art on Wednesday, Sept. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)
Patrons take in Shana Moulton's "Meta/Physical Therapy” at the Akron Art Museum's newly renovated 1899 building on Wednesday, Sept. 23
Patrons take in Shana Moulton’s “Meta/Physical Therapy” at the Akron Art Museum’s newly renovated 1899 building on Wednesday, Sept. 23. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Multimedia reporter/producer (he/him)
Ryan Loew is Signal Akron's multimedia reporter/producer, meaning he tells stories through photos, video and writing. Originally from the Youngstown area, Ryan studied journalism at Kent State University and has worked in various newspaper, public media and nonprofit newsrooms in and out of Ohio over his nearly 20-year career. Ryan is interested in stories about people — our problems, our triumphs and everything else in between — that make us who we are. He believes visual journalism plays a powerful role in telling such stories and connecting us with our neighbors. When he’s not working, Ryan is going on hikes and bike rides, taking care of a more than 100-year-old house and learning to play the drums.