5 Must-See Art Exhibits in Ohio This Fall

Quilts call to mind a comfortable blanket carefully stitched together by our grandmothers, a creative work that is as comfortable to wrap up in as it is beautiful. These age-old creations are not just great for curling up on the couch, they’re art forms in their own right. This season, quilts are the focus of a special exhibition at the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati that examines the use of the indigo plant in dying fabrics. Explore this creative yet cozy art form this season, as well as these other can’t-miss exhibits across our state. 

Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking | Through Jan. 11 
Visit the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati to explore 20 beautiful quilts colored with the indigo plant. Assembled by the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska, this exhibition of women-crafted quilts spans the early 1800s through 2015. The blue-hued artworks offer a look at the long history of indigo dye and its use, from early textiles to the synthetic indigo coloring used in modern denim.

Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane | Oct. 18-Jan. 18
See jewelry from the personal collection of designer Neil Lane during “Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Neil Lane Collection” at the Toledo Museum of Art. Travel the world through 150 pieces of jewelry that ranges from revival styles from Paris, pieces from famed New York jewelers like Tiffany & Co. and elegant pieces that recall Hollywood’s golden age. Videos from red-carpet events, historic photographs and fashion pieces complete this shining exhibition. 

Howard Chandler Christy: A Golden Age Master, From the Trembly Family Collection | Oct. 23-Jan. 10 
 As part of a collaboration with Columbus-based collector Annette Trembly visitors to the Zanesville Museum of Art this fall can explore the work of Howard Chandler Christy, who was born in Morgan County, Ohio. His work features a blend of the realistic and the romantic, but what he became known for was his illustration of the Christy Girl. This illustrated figure was created during World War I to be a symbol of the modern woman and is a hallmark of the artist’s work.  

Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses | Nov. 9 - Feb. 1 
Discover the art of fashion and textiles in “Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses” at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Opening in November, this exhibition explores the famous families of fashion through incredible gowns, silks and fabrics, and jewelry pieces. These fashion statements are paired alongside paintings and other art that helps provide context for the pieces. 

Shattered Glass: The Women Who Elevated American Art | Nov. 25-March 1
Visit the Canton Museum of Art for this original exhibition, which is the museum’s first to feature only the work of female artists. With a name referencing the glass-ceiling metaphor, this exhibition shines a light on the work of many artists whose work has been traditionally overlooked. Featuring paintings, photographs and more, the show features more than 120 pieces from over 70 women artists. 

Search for more events at ohiomagazine.com/events.

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