AKRON ART MUSEUM

EXHIBITIONSTHE MUSEUM PROMOTES AN AWARENESS AND INTEREST IN MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART BY DISPLAYING, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY, SIGNIFICANT OBJECTS OF HIGH ARTISTIC MERIT. THE PAST YEAR'S MAJOR EXHIBITIONS INCLUDED: GLOW: NEON & LIGHT, WILLIAM RICHARDS: THE VASTNESS BEYOND VISION AND SHE SAID, SHE SAID: CONTEMPORARY WOMEN ARTISTS.GLOW: NEON & LIGHT (SEPTEMBER 21 - FEBRUARY 9) THIS EXHIBITION FEATURES SPECTACULAR AND IMMERSIVE WORKS WITH GLASS, MIRRORS, LIGHT BULBS AND NEON TUBES LIGHTING UP THE KARL AND BERTL ARNSTEIN GALLERIES. THE SHOW INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHT'S SCIENTIFIC PROPERTIES WHILE POSING QUESTIONS ABOUT COLOR PERCEPTION, CONTEXT, INTERPRETATION, AND THE BLENDING OF LIGHT WITH VARIOUS MATERIALS IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACES. THIS EXHIBITION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORT FROM THE BRUCE AND ERICA GREER FOUNDATION, THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION, THE LEHNER FAMILY FOUNDATION, MARY AND DR. GEORGE L. DEMETROS CHARITABLE TRUST, JOHN P. MURPHY FOUNDATION, KENNETH L. CALHOUN CHARITABLE TRUST, AND HILTON GARDEN INN AKRON, AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL WHICH RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.WILLIAM RICHARDS: THE VASTNESS BEYOND VISION (JANUARY 11 - JULY 25, 2025)THE FRED AND LAURA RUTH BIDWELL GALLERY COMES TO LIFE WITH THE VIBRANT COLORS AND DAZZLING PATTERNS OF ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHS. A CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING BY DAY, HE WOULD ADJOURN TO HIS PHOTOGRAPHIC DARKROOM AT NIGHT TO FOCUS ON THE LUMINOUS PERSONAL PROJECTS THAT HE CREATED WITH REFLECTIONS ON CHROMED METAL, COLORED LIGHTS AND FILTERS, AND CREATIVE PRINTING TECHNIQUES. RICHARDS CREATED AN EXTENSIVE BODY OF WORK FROM THE 1950S THROUGH THE 1980S. HE OFTEN GAVE HIS WORK FANCIFUL TITLES AND LEFT THEM TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES, ALLOWING VIEWERS TO SHARE IN HIS ENJOYMENT OF COLOR, RHYTHM, TEXTURE AND SHAPE WITH LITTLE DISTRACTION. IN HIS OWN WORDS, "PHOTOGRAPHY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO RECORD THE VASTNESS AND THE SMALLNESS BEYOND OUR NORMAL SENSORY RANGE." THIS EXHIBITION IS PRESENTED BY THE AKRON ART MUSEUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MUUS COLLECTION AND IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION, MARY AND DR. GEORGE L. DEMETROS CHARITABLE TRUST, JOHN P. MURPHY FOUNDATION AND KENNETH L. CALHOUN CHARITABLE TRUST. THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL, WHICH RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.SHE SAID, SHE SAID: CONTEMPORARY WOMEN ARTISTS (MARCH 22 - AUGUST 10)AN EXCITING NEW EXHIBITION OF WORK BY WOMEN ARTISTS DRAWN FROM THE RUBELL MUSEUM'S EXPANSIVE COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY ART FILLS THE KARL AND BERTL ARNSTEIN GALLERIES WITH WORKS THAT SPAN FROM PAINTING TO PHOTOGRAPHY, SCULPTURE, VIDEO AND INSTALLATION BY MORE THAN TWENTY ARTISTS OF DIFFERENT GENERATIONS, CULTURES AND DISCIPLINES. HIGHLIGHTING THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES THAT WOMEN CONTINUE TO ADD TO THE ART HISTORICAL CANNON, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE WORKS BY YAYOI KUSAMA, BARBARA KRUGER, CINDY SHERMAN, MICKALENE THOMAS AND OTHERS. ONE OF THE EXHIBITION'S KEY TOPICS WILL BE SELF-PORTRAITURE. WOMEN ARTISTS HAVE CREATED WORKS IN THEIR OWN IMAGE IN ORDER TO RECLAIM OWNERSHIP OF THEIR OWN BODIES. ANOTHER IMPORTANT AREA OF FOCUS IN THIS EXHIBIT IS THE APPROPRIATION AND REUSE OF PREEXISTING IMAGES AND TEXTS WHICH OFTEN FACILITATES STRONG SOCIAL INSIGHTS. THIS EXHIBITION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION, THE LEHNER FAMILY FOUNDATION, MARY AND DR. GEORGE L. DEMETROS CHARITABLE TRUST, JOHN P. MURPHY FOUNDATION, AND KENNETH L. CALHOUN CHARITABLE TRUST. THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL, WHICH RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.OTHER NEW EXHIBITIONS FROM THIS PAST YEAR INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:MICHELANGELO LOVELACE: ART SAVED MY LIFE A SOLO EXHIBITION BY CLEVELAND ARTIST MICHELANGELO LOVELACE, WHOSE WORKS REMINISCENT OF FOLK AND OUTSIDER ART, OFFER A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF LIFE IN AMERICA'S INNER CITIES. HIS VIBRANT PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS AND DIORAMAS CAPTURE THE REALITY OF URBAN LIFE FOR POOR BLACK INDIVIDUALS. HE DEPICTED CRIME, DRUGS, POVERTY, AND SIN AS WELL AS COMMUNITY, COMPASSION, PROGRESS AND SALVATION. THE TITLE OF THE SHOW COMES FROM THE WORDS THAT LOVELACE USED TO DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THAT CREATING ART HAD ON THE MEANING OF HIS LIFE. THIS EXHIBITION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION, THE LEHNER FAMILY FOUNDATION, MARY AND DR. GEORGE L. DEMETROS CHARITABLE TRUST, THE JOHN P. MURPHY FOUNDATION, AND THE KENNETH L. CALHOUN CHARITABLE TRUST. THIS PROJECT WAS SUPPORTED (IN PART) BY THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL, WHICH RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS. WHERE WE LIVE: PHOTOGRAPHS OF HUMAN SPACES (JULY 26 - DEC 29) THE WORKS INCLUDED IN THIS EXHIBITION HAVE BEEN DRAWN FROM THE COLLECTION OF FRED AND LAURA RUTH BIDWELL, WHO HAVE LONG COLLECTED PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUPPORTED ITS DISPLAY AT THE MUSEUM. USING THEIR MEDIUM'S CAPACITY TO HIGHLIGHT AND ENERGIZE PIECES OF THE WORLD AROUND US, THE FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PAUSE AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPACES THAT WE CREATE FOR OURSELVES. THIS EXHIBITION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION, THE LEHNER FAMILY FOUNDATION, MARY AND DR. GEORGE L. DEMETROS CHARITABLE TRUST, THE JOHN P. MURPHY FOUNDATION, AND THE KENNETH L. CALHOUN CHARITABLE TRUST. THIS PROJECT WAS ALSO SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL, WHICH RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.ZEERAK AHMED: MOTHER, I AM COMPELLED TO LEAVE A COMMISSIONED ARTWORK - (AUGUST 10 - DECEMBER 29) IN CREATING THIS SOUND AND VIDEO INSTALLATION, AHMED DREW FROM THE FOLK MUSIC TRADITIONS OF HER FAMILY'S NATIVE REGION OF UTTAR PRADESH, IN NORTHERN INDIA. THE LYRICS ARE IN THE DIALECT OF PURBI, WHICH IS NO LONGER SPOKEN BY THE MIGRANTS WHO SETTLED IN PAKISTAN AFTER PORTIONING OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT IN 1947. PART OF AN ORAL TRADITION, THE WORDS WERE NEVER WRITTEN DOWN. AHMED'S MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER APPEAR IN HER VIDEOS AS THEY PASSED THIS MUSIC TO HER. THE INSTALLATION INCLUDES A LOOP OF SIX SONGS THAT TRACE A WOMAN'S LIFE FROM BIRTH AND CELEBRATION, THROUGH MARRIAGE AND LEAVING HOME, TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ALLOW THE CYCLE TO BEGIN AGAIN. THIS EXHIBITION IS MADE POSSIBLE THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION, THE LEHNER FAMILY FOUNDATION, MARY AND DR. GEORGE L. DEMETROS CHARITABLE TRUST, JOHN P. MURPHY FOUNDATION, AND KENNETH CALHOUN CHARITABLE TRUST. THIS PROJECT WAS ALSO SUPPORTED IN PART BY THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL, WHICH RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.BIRDSONG: (SEPT 2 - DEC 31) THE AKRON ART MUSEUM PARTNERED WITH DOOR2 ART STUDIOS IN HUDSON, OHIO TO SHOWCASE THE STUDIO'S BIRDSONG PUBLIC ART PROJECT. THIS MULTIFACETED INSTALLATION FEATURES MORE THAN 170 THREE-DIMENSIONALLY PRINTED BIRDS PAINTED BY OHIO-BASED ARTISTS. THE PROJECT'S AIM IS TO DISCOVER WONDER IN THE WAY BIRDS SING THEIR OWN SONGS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT TOGETHER CREATE AND INSPIRING SOUNDSCAPE OF UNITY AND BEAUTY. SHARE THE PAST, CREATE THE FUTURE: SELECTIONS FROM THE AKRON ART MUSEUM COLLECTION IN CELEBRATION OF THE AKRON ART MUSEUM'S CENTENNIAL, THE SANDRA L. AND DENNIS B. HASLINGER FAMILY FOUNDATION GALLERY HAS BEEN FULLY REINSTALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2007. EACH ROOM IN THIS SECTION OF THE MUSEUM IS ORGANIZED AROUND A THEME STRONGLY REPRESENTED IN THE COLLECTION. SOME OF THE ARTWORKS HAVE BEEN SHOWN FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM'S HISTORY, WHILE OTHERS ARE BEING DISPLAYED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION, WE AIM TO OFFER A MORE INCLUSIVE LOOK AT THE EMBEDDED DIVERSITIES WITHIN THE HISTORY OF ART. IN ORGANIZING THE COLLECTION BY THEME AND NOT BY HISTORICAL PERIOD, WE INVITE VIEWERS TO EXPERIENCE ART IN A WAY THAT REFLECTS THE PRESENT DAY, A MOMENT THAT IS BOTH TROUBLED YET EXPANSIVE. A GROWING CONVERSATION: ARTWORKS FROM OUR COLLECTION THE HASLINGER GALLERIES HAVE BEEN REINSTALLED WITH NEW ACQUISITIONS SUCH AS SUCHITRA MATTAI'S OCEANS, KISSES AND TEARS, WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF WOMEN IN THE INDIAN DIASPORA THROUGH A BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENT OF FOUND OBJECTS, SUGGESTING THE DELICATE CONNECTIONS OF FAMILY AND CULTURE THAT CAN SPAN VAST DISTANCES. RASHID JOHNSON'S UNTITLED ESCAPE COLLAGE, ON LOAN FROM ART BRIDGES IS ALSO ON VIEW. JOHNSON CREATED THE COLLAGE USING A VARIETY OF MATERIALS, INCLUDING BLACK SOAP, WHICH, FOR THE ARTIST IS LINKED TO THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN THE UNITED STATES. CAMERON WELCH'S FUGUE STATE ON LONG-TERM LOAN FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION IS A LARGE MOSAIC THAT THE ARTIST CREATED BY PLACING THOUSANDS OF TINY PIECES OF GLASS, CERAMIC AND STONE.

EDUCATIONTHE MUSEUM HAS AN ACTIVE AND ENGAGED LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT THAT OFFERS ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND FELLOW EDUCATORS. THE LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AIMS TO PROVIDE UNIQUE, ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCES THAT BRING PARTICIPANTS JOY, CONNECTION, AND ARE RELEVANT TO THEIR LIVES. FOR FAMILIES:OPEN STUDIO: A SPACE DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR GROWN-UPS, THIS IS THE PLACE TO EXPLORE, DISCOVER, PLAY AND GET MESSY. OPEN STUDIO IS OPEN DURING ALL MUSEUM OPEN HOURS AND IS INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION SO VISITORS MAY USE THE RESOURCE ON THEIR OWN TIME. INSIDE YOU WILL FIND A TREASURE TROVE OF MATERIALS AND TOOLS TO CREATE WHATEVER YOUR HEART DESIRES. MADE POSSIBLE BY PNC WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE KATHY MOSES SALEM PHILANTHROPIC FUND OF THE AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, MARY S. AND DAVID C. CORBIN FOUNDATION, CHARLES E. AND MABEL M. RITCHIE FOUNDATION, SAMUEL REESE WILLIS FOUNDATION AND THE HENRY V. AND FRANCES W. CHRISTENSON FOUNDATION.AFTER SCHOOL OPEN STUDIO: THIS MONTHLY EVENT IS OFFERED DURING POST-SCHOOL AFTERNOON HOURS AND WILL LEAD PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A GUIDED ART MAKING EXPERIENCE CENTERED ON A SPECIFIC METHOD OR MATERIAL. AFTER SCHOOL STUDIO OCCURS THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 4-6PM, SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY. FREE.FAMILY DAYS: SIX TOTAL DROP-IN STYLE EVENTS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES (AND THEIR GROWN-UPS). THESE LARGE-SCALE EVENTS ARE GENERALLY ORGANIZED IN A WAY THAT INVITES FAMILIES TO MOVE AROUND AND PARTICIPATE AT THEIR OWN PACE. THEY TAKE PLACE PRIMARILY ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS. MESS MAKERS: MONTHLY DAYTIME CLASS DESIGNED FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR ADULTS. DESCRIPTION: PARK THE STROLLER AND WANDER OVER TO LEARN, PLAY AND EXPLORE CREATION STATIONS DESIGNED WITH THE MESSIEST KIDS IN MIND. EACH SESSION IS A NEW ADVENTURE WITH THE FREEDOM TO INVESTIGATE VARIOUS MATERIALS, TECHNIQUES, AND TEXTURES. DRESS FOR A MESS AND ARTISTIC SUCCESS. ART SMOCKS PROVIDED. RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 0 TO 5.FREE FOR MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS/ $15 FOR NON-MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS. CAMP CREATIVE:THEMED, SCHOOL-AGED CLASSES WHICH OCCUR TWICE PER MONTH JUNE THROUGH AUGUSTDESCRIPTION: MISSING ART CLASS THIS SUMMER? OR JUST LOOKING FOR MORE SUMMER FUN? JOIN CAMP CREATIVE & EXPLORE VARIOUS THEMED SUMMER CAMP DAYS AT THE MUSEUM! ENJOY GUIDED ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES AS YOU CREATE & PLAY OUTDOORS ALONGSIDE AN ART EDUCATOR. EVERY TWO WEEKS, THERE WILL BE NEW MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES TO EXPLORE AS YOU SHARPEN YOUR CREATIVE SKILLS THROUGH MAKING MESSES AND WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE ARTISTIC PROBLEMS. DRESS FOR A MESS AND ARTISTIC SUCCESS! ART SMOCKS PROVIDED. BATHING SUITS/WATER CLOTHES & TOWELS HIGHLY SUGGESTED FOR PAINT & WATER THEMED DAYS (CHECK THE CALENDAR FOR EACH CAMP DAY THEME!). CAMP CREATIVE IS DESIGNED TO HAVE SIX SESSIONS THAT WILL BE OFFERED THE 1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE SUMMER MONTHS FROM 11AM-1PM. CAMP CREATIVE IS INTENDED FOR CHILDREN AGED 5-12 (SIBLINGS WELCOME!). FREE FOR MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS/$15 FOR NON-MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS.