Home / Arts and Entertainment / Akron Tires Transform into Towering Art
Akron Tires Transform into Towering Art
2 Nov
Summary
- A 17-foot sculpture made from Goodyear racing tires was unveiled in Akron.
- The artwork, titled 'Transit', is the city's first major contemporary outdoor sculpture by a woman artist.
- The $550,000 project connects Akron's rubber industry past with its cultural future.
Akron, Ohio, a city historically linked to the rubber industry, now boasts a striking 17-foot-tall public artwork made from discarded Goodyear racing tires. Sculptor Chakaia Booker unveiled her creation, named 'Transit', at Lock 3 park on October 29, 2026. The sculpture, composed of donated Goodyear Eagle F1 tires and stainless steel, features two large crescent shapes covered in rubber.
This significant installation is the first major contemporary outdoor sculpture in Akron by a woman artist. The project, which began in 2023, was commissioned by Curated Storefront with support from various city and community organizations. The use of recycled tires directly references Akron's identity as the 'Rubber Capital of the World'.
Booker, known for her work with recycled tires, has been creating art from these materials for decades, evolving from wearable art to monumental sculptures. 'Transit' represents a continuation of this practice, transforming industrial waste into a lasting artistic statement. The estimated cost for the entire project was $550,000.
The sculpture's unveiling coincides with the ongoing revitalization of Lock 3 park, which reopened in December 2024 after extensive renovations. City officials anticipate 'Transit' will draw more visitors to downtown Akron, enhancing its public art landscape and connecting its industrial past with its present cultural endeavors.
