These 7- to 9-foot sculptures were designed by Judith Spater and created by Stephen Canneto of Columbus for Akron Children’s Hospital. (Photo: Akron Children’s Hospital)
After a long, hard winter, something beautiful is blooming right in our own backyard. Twenty-five colorful, larger-than-life metal flower sculptures commemorating Akron Children’s Hospital’s 125th Anniversary are sprouting up all over the greater Akron region.
Akron Children’s commissioned the works of art to celebrate the community spirit and support what’s been growing in our backyard since the hospital opened as a day nursery in 1890.
The 7- to 9-foot tall sculptures, designed by Judith Spater and created by Stephen Canneto of Columbus, represent more than 15 different real-life flower species native to northeast Ohio, including violets, sunflowers, lilies, coneflowers and asters.
“Art has always been important to what we do and who we are at Akron Children’s Hospital,” said Andrea Joliet, director of corporate communications. “We especially love and appreciate art that depicts life through the eyes of a child, so we are proud to share these unique creations with the children and families in our community, as a super-sized ‘thank you’ for supporting us for 125 years.”
Where can you find them?
The sculptures, crafted out of metal and stainless steel to withstand the region’s climate extremes, are sprouting at spots around the area where families already love to visit. Akron Children’s has donated the colorful creations to organizations, venues and businesses right in our backyard, as a lasting gift for many of the communities the hospital is proud to serve.
You’ll soon see them at places like the Akron Zoo, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Canal Park, Boettler Park in Green, Medina Square, Lock 3, First & Main in Hudson, Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, downtown Wadsworth and Peninsula, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, the Twinsburg Community Center, Akron Urban League, the North Canton YMCA, Aurora Farms Outlets, Swenson’s in West Akron and other locations.
The spring timing for the first peek at the flower sculptures is also aligned with the much-anticipated grand opening of the hospital’s Kay Jewelers Pavilion. The building, which houses a new emergency department, NICU, outpatient surgery center and special delivery area, was designed entirely around a calming and child-friendly backyard theme.
“The giant flowers are a natural fit for the backyard theme of our Kay Jewelers Pavilion,” Joliet said. “We look forward to displaying an 8-foot tall, bright yellow trout lily in the garden area in front of our hospital.”
For a complete list of the locations of the flower sculptures, go to http://125.akronchildrens.org/community-art-sculpture-locations
