Akron's North, South, East, and West sides are once again clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds in a that will benefit the city鈥檚 artists.
The new Akron on Deck set features 54 works depicting the Rubber City. Mac Love of the Art x Love creative agency said he received hundreds of submissions - and they're all different from the first deck released in 2020. There's paintings and sculptures as well as photographs of landmarks and businesses.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got Akron Coffee Roasters, little-known diamonds-in-the-rough like the sword in the tree on West Exchange Street, to cultural institutions like Summit Artspace, the Akron skate park out in Ellet or the children鈥檚 museum,鈥� he said.
There are even portraits of prominent Akron citizens, taken by noted photographers. Autumn Bland, who created the 鈥淧ortraits of a Pandemic鈥� series, contributed a photo of Curtis Minter, Jr., in front of the Well community center.
鈥淭he king of hearts is the Well... and Curtis Minter鈥檚 mother is already referring to him as the King of Hearts,鈥� he said.
Love expected to sell about 1,000 decks of the first set of cards. It鈥檚 still available, and he has sold about 9,000 decks. Artists share in the proceeds, which are approaching about $60,000. The idea for Akron on Deck came to Love during the early stages of the coronavirus lockdown, when he remembered how much he enjoyed playing cards growing up.
鈥淲hen we created this, we had this dream that maybe it could live in every home in Akron,鈥� Love said. 鈥淚t could be people鈥檚 first introduction to the city if they鈥檙e at the airport or staying in a hotel. I really hope that becomes the case down the road.鈥�
Love鈥檚 wife, Allyse, coordinated the artwork submissions for Akron on Deck II. Despite being a lifelong Akronite, she said last year that the cards have helped her learn about her city.
鈥淚 am a sucker for diner breakfasts,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he picture that was submitted for Fred鈥檚 Diner is a cook holding a giant platter of bacon, and I was like, 鈥榃hy have we never eaten here?鈥� I had never been there before.鈥�
Although there's a limited supply available before the holidays of the new , more sets will be available in January.
