Doug Unger of Akron has earned international renown as both an instrument builder and a master of the arts of decorative inlay and pearl engraving. Starting out as a musician, he is a self-taught builder now regarded as one of the best in the country at making ornate one-of-a-kind mandolins and banjos that look and sound like priceless antiques. His instruments belay an expertise in a number of areas, including woodcarving, design, acoustical engineering, draftsmanship, inlay and engraving. Unger's creations have been displayed at numerous festivals and are in private collections throughout the world. Also a painter and multimedia artist, Unger has been a professor of fine art at Kent State University for more than 30 years.