Canton Museum of Art (Ohio) facts for kids
The Canton Museum of Art is a cool place in Canton, Ohio. It was started in 1935. Its main goal is to share and celebrate awesome art with everyone in the community.
The museum wants to collect and keep art safe forever. It started by buying art from local artists. Many pieces in the museum are by artists from the Canton area. People and companies have also given their own art collections to the museum.
The museum helps people see and learn about art. It also helps record local history. The museum bought art and accepted gifts until 1970. That's when it moved to the Cultural Center for the Arts. Then, the museum decided to focus its collection more. The Ralph L. Wilson Collection of American Art was given in the 1970s. This helped the museum focus on American artists from the 1800s and 1900s.
The Museum's Story
The Canton Museum of Art began as the Little Civic Art Gallery. It opened in the Canton Public Library in 1935. A year later, it became the Canton Art Institute. During the late 1930s, it had many exhibits and educational programs.
In its early days (1935–1945), the museum was mostly a place for local artists to show their work. It was also a meeting spot. Collecting art wasn't its main goal yet. In 1941, a building called the Case Mansion was given to the museum. It was fixed up to be the Institute's new home.
For the next 30 years, the Canton Art Institute was a big part of the arts in Canton. It supported groups like Canton Fine Arts Associates. It also housed the Canton Symphony offices. Other groups like the Madrigal Singers and the Players’ Guild used its facilities.
When the Cultural Center for the Arts opened in 1970, all the arts in Canton came together. The Institute started more exhibits and art classes. New educational programs began, like the Humanities program with Canton City Schools. New groups like the Museum Guild and the Potter's Guild were also formed.
In the 1980s, the museum's leaders decided to make its goals clearer. By 1989, they chose a special focus for their permanent collection. They would collect American art from the 1800s and 1900s that was "on paper." This means drawings, watercolors, and prints. They also decided to collect American ceramics from the 1950s onward.
During the 1980s, the museum showed a Goya exhibit. They also had two popular shows about Ohio's quilts. They even celebrated the Statue of Liberty's 100th birthday. In the 1990s, the museum had many different exhibits. Some were very creative, like "Ubuntu Roi" and "The Power of If." These involved students, teachers, and local artists.
An exhibit called "Ultra-Realistic Sculpture by Mark Sijan" started at the museum in 1992. It then traveled to other museums across the country. The museum also offered Outreach programs. These brought art to different places. They also had Art Experience Days, where people could try making art.
In 1995, the museum turned 60 years old. It changed its name to The Canton Museum of Art. In 1997-98, it hosted "Norman Rockwell’s America." This was the most popular exhibit in the museum's history. It also hosted "The Nazi Olympics—Berlin 1936" from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In 2004, the museum showed the famous "Andrew Wyeth: The Helga Pictures" exhibit. Over 12,000 people saw it in just six weeks!
What You Can See and Do
The Canton Museum of Art usually has 12 to 15 different art shows each year. Often, a big main exhibit is shown. Along with it, there are two smaller shows featuring local artists. There's also an exhibit of art from the museum's own collection, usually based on a theme. These permanent collection shows might include art by famous American, European, and regional artists.
Once a year, the museum sets aside space for art made by high school students. These students are from Canton and Stark County. Their artwork is judged by experts. The best artists can win scholarships for college or for art classes at the museum.
Groups connected to the museum hold two fun events each year. These are for the community to enjoy. The "Antiques in Canton" Show & Sale brings in a famous expert on antiques. The "Christkindl Market" is an art and craft show. Over 100 artists from all over the country come to sell their handmade items.
The museum's Education Department offers art classes and workshops. These are for everyone! Their Outreach programs take the museum's art to other places. This includes libraries, schools, and even a special school for students with behavioral challenges. You can also take a guided tour of the exhibits with a docent (a trained guide). Art experience days let students get hands-on with art projects.
For over 20 years, Canton City Schools have offered special Humanities classes at the museum. Also, Kent State University's Stark Campus holds its ceramic classes in the museum's Pot Shop. The museum is a regular meeting place for many community groups. These include the Rotary, the Canton Garden Club, and Prime Time, a group for seniors.
The Museum's Art Collection
The Canton Museum of Art has a special collection of art. It focuses on American art from the 1800s, 1900s, and 2000s that is "on paper." This means drawings, watercolors, and prints. It also collects modern ceramics made from 1950 onward. This focus is unique among museums in northeast Ohio. Other museums nearby include the Akron Art Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The collection got a big boost in the 1970s. Ralph L. Wilson gave the museum many watercolors and drawings. His gift included works by artists like Burchfield, Demuth, and Henri. The museum also bought more watercolors by famous artists. These include Thomas Hart Benton, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, and John Singer Sargent.
The print collection has works by artists like Romare Bearden, Alexander Calder, Mary Cassatt, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol.
Collecting contemporary ceramics (from 1950 onward) is also a special focus for the museum. Ohio has a history of making decorative pottery. The museum continues this interest with modern ceramic art. The collection has works by artists such as Jack Earl, Marilyn Levine, and Toshiko Takaezu. In the last three years, the collection has grown. It has received gifts and bought works by artists like Ken Ferguson, Karen Karnes, and Don Reitz.
Since 1992, the museum has bought more watercolors. These include works by Thomas Hart Benton, Oscar Bluemner, Winslow Homer, and Edward Hopper. The ceramic collection also grew with new purchases. These include works by Brother Thomas Bezanson, Ken Ferguson, and Victor Spinski. The museum also received gifts of works by Don Pilcher and Don Reitz.
The museum's permanent collection is the base for its art shows. It is used in ongoing exhibits. It also forms the core of special exhibits that include art borrowed from other museums.
