By: Erik Sievert
The Canton Museum of Art has just wrapped up the international exhibit, Kimono as Art, the result of two years worth of planning by more than 100 community volunteers, and innumerable hours of hard work. Through Kimono, the museum has welcomed regional attention, with visitors attending from hundreds of miles away. But the Kimono exhibit is one in a long succession of incredible art experiences that the small but influential museum has hosted in its 74-year history.
In 1935, the Little Civic Art Gallery was started on the second floor of the Carnegie Library with three permanent pieces. By 1947, a mere 12 years later, it had been renamed Canton Art Institute and contained more than 600 pieces. Over the years, the gallery would accept any art donations, without a central theme to any of the collections. It was not until 1971, when Ralph L. Wilson began to donate watercolors from his personal collection, that a theme began to surface. A piece by the name of “The Grove, Lynn” became the staple that made the gallery lean toward a collection of watercolors. In 1990, the gallery decided that because of the Wilson Collection, and the numerous amounts of ceramic pieces it owned, that the central focus of the Institute would be 19th and 20th century works on paper, primarily watercolors, and contemporary ceramics.
The Canton Art Institute was again renamed in 1995, and is known today as the Canton Museum of Art. The Museum now contains over 1,300 permanent pieces, including a spectacular collection of works on paper from greats such as Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, John Singer Sargent, Thomas Hart Benton and Emerson Burkhart.
While the sizable Kimono as Art exhibit relied upon over 100 volunteers, the Museum is operated by only six full-time employees and the help of 25 generous volunteer docents. Mary Byrne, marketing and development manager for CMA, is excited and optimistic for another show like Kimono, but said that it will be another two or three years before the Museum can feasibly present a show of that magnitude. Byrne estimates that by the time the Kimono exhibit has closed, the Museum will have drawn in over 45,000 visitors, in addition to more than 12,000 students who received free admission.
The KIMONO exhibit had a very favorable impact on the community. Downtown Canton restaurants, hotels and shops have benefited by the influx of visitors to Canton. Despite the huge regional (and national!) success of the Kimono exhibit, Byrne affirms that they are here for Stark County: “We want people to know that they can come to downtown Canton and spend a very nice day here. There are so many things to do and see,” said Byrne. “We have works from some of the all-time great artists right here in our backyard, alongside the local arts movement.”
Some of the upcoming exhibits include a series of fashion exhibit s, beginning May 15 with Pocketbook Anthropology, an exploration of the cultural uses and meanings of purses; Fashion Finds: Highlights from the Textile Collection of the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum; The Shape of Fashion: Hats and Handbags; and I am Fashion: Haute Couture Handbags. Debuting this July is Blossom: Art of Flowers , contemporary artists working in floral themes, and November’s greatly anticipated Something from Nothing: Contemporary Recycled Sculpture from America’s Rustbelt, featuring works from artists including Patrick Buckohr, the artist behind the downtown “critters” and curator for the exhibit. All of these great exhibits are affordably priced at $4 per ticket.
Beyond the extensive permanent collection and powerful exhibits, the Canton Museum of Art offers art education for all age groups. Adults can choose from classes in drawing, jewelry, painting, pottery and textiles. Classes are available for children by age groups. Classes are reasonably priced, some classes are free benefits for CMA members. Memberships for the Museum are $15 for students, $30 for individuals, $55 for families, and only $2,500 for a lifetime membership.
The Museum, celebrating its 75th anniversary next year, is assisted by affiliates the Canton Ceramic Artists Guild, The Canton Artists League, Canton Fine Arts Associates and Volunteer Angels. It is located in the heart of downtown Canton. For more information about the Canton Museum of Art and upcoming exhibits, visit the new website at www.cantonart.org, or call (330) 453-7666.
