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Akron's Innerbelt National Forest is Looking for Local Artists and Volunteers

The Innerbelt skirts along the west side of downtown Akron, then cuts into the near northside. When it was built in the 70s, it separated the Oak Park neighborhood from downtown.
M.L. SCHULTZE
/
WKSU
The Innerbelt skirts along the west side of downtown Akron, then cuts into the near northside. When it was built in the 70s, it separated the Oak Park neighborhood from downtown.

The group behind Akron’s Innerbelt National Forest is looking for public artwork to use in the upcoming project. Five artists will get a stipend to install their works, which can be anything from sculptures to murals.

Hunter Franks is the artist behind the project, which is converting a section old highway leading into downtown -- at least temporarily -- into green space. He says he is looking for art that engages visitors.

Engagement through art

“Whether they’re interactive among multiple people or they simply get someone to think harder about the story of the Innerbelt, both past, present and future…and seeking things that will engage themes of connection and the history of the space as well,” he said.

In addition to the art, Franks is looking for volunteers to submit their stories of the Innerbelt and help with the forest itself.

The green space will open this summer.

Copyright 2021 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.

Mitch Felan is a news intern for WKSU. He is a multimedia journalist with experience in print, television, radio and visual journalism. Felan is a junior at Kent State University, working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Multimedia Journalism. During the school year, Felan works for Kent State Student Media in TV2, The Kent Stater, and KentWired. He will be serving as the Digital Director for Kent State University's Student Media Newsroom in the Fall.