Ohio's metropolitan areas offer many opportunities for Ohio University students returning home for the daunting six-week winter break to view art.
Cincinnati Art Museum
http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/
Assistant Director of Communications Natalie Wheeler said during December the museum will host John Bartlett: Dreaming in Darkness, an installation of the Cincinnati native's work. The exhibit is a retrospective of his fashion designs, complete with runway lighting and music. The permanent collection ranges from ancient to modern art, and includes works by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Mary Cassatt.
Contemporary Arts Center
http://www.spiral.org/
Katie Taft, public relations manager, said the center displays art of the last five minutes and does not have a permanent collection. One of the three exhibits displayed in December is by Polly Apfelbaum and features fallen paintings - multiple pieces of fabric Apfelbaum puts on the floor to make one painting.
Columbus Museum of Art
http://www.columbusmuseum.org/
Melissa Ferguson, public relations and marketing manager, said the Columbus Museum of Art's permanent collection includes impressionism, cubism and folk art. One exhibit, Not - So - Basic BLACK: Powerful Presence in 20th - Century DRESS, focuses on the little black dress and design and couture from the beginning of the century to the 1990s, with dresses from designers such as Chanel and Valentino.
The Cleveland Museum of Art
http://www.clevelandart.org/
According to their Web site, the museum will feature exhibits such as Jasper Johns: Numbers, a display of various media including paint and collage. Its permanent collection includes contemporary, Asian and African art. Some notable artists include Jackson Pollock and Claude Monet.
Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
http://www.contemporaryart.org/
Kelly K. Bird, director of marketing and communications wrote in a press release, the museum will have three featured exhibits in December, including First Sight - An Encyclopedia of Childhood, a display of photographs by Cleveland native Dale Kistemaker. These photos are life-sized images of objects from the artist's childhood, including toys and games.
The Butler Institute of American Art
http://www.butlerart.com/butler_youngstown.htm
Kathy Barnhart, director of public relations, said the focus is American art from 1719 to the present. Their permanent collection, which includes paintings, drawings and sculptures, will open Dec. 14. Notable artists in the permanent collection are Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent.
Toledo Museum of Art
http://www.toledomuseum.org/
Elizabeth Sudheimer, communications manager, said the permanent collection includes ancient Egyptian art to 20th century art, and they have large French and Dutch art collections and two Vincent van Gogh pieces. One exhibit displayed over the break is Hendrick Goltzius, Dutch Master (1558-1617): Drawings, Prints, and Paintings. Sudheimer said Goltzius, an engraver, printmaker and painter, was a contemporary of Rembrandt.
A few hints on visiting art museums
Some museums have free admission, at least for viewing the permanent collection. If you do not like the sound of a particular exhibit, you will likely find something in the permanent collection that interests you.
General interest art museums can be very large; it is best to check the museum Web site for particular artists or artworks you want to see while you are there.
Museums are often located in areas with many arts attractions, so it is worth the time to check out other available attractions.
Check the hours of operation for museums before you go; most are closed on Mondays, and some have late hours during the week.
by Megan Chew
17 Archives
Megan Chew
