7 Art Exhibits to See in Ohio This Spring

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of English painter J.M.W. Turner’s birth, the Taft Museum of Art will showcase 12 of his intricate watercolor paintings from its own collection and that of the Cincinnati Art Museum. This is the first exhibit of these works together in 40 years, and just the beginning of the interesting art exhibitions on tap across Ohio this season.

The Nearest Faraway Place: Ohio’s Painters, Makers & Their Mentors | Through April 27
See how travels impacted the works of Ohio artists in the 20th and 21st centuries during the final weeks of this exhibit at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster. See over 50 pieces that detail how both the roots of where they grew up as well as the travels they took made an impact on the work they produced.

J.M.W. Turner: Watercolor Horizons | Through June 15
English painter Joshua Mallord William Turner (better known as J.M.W. Turner) was a pioneer of the watercolor medium, which was typically an activity reserved for society ladies. Twelve of his paintings are on display at the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati in the exhibit “Watercolor Horizons.” See his travels come to life through detailed water colorings, which have not been on display here since 2019.

Return to Turtle Island” Indigenous Nation-Building in the Eighteenth Century | Through June 29
Explore art from the 18^th century in this exhibit running through June 29 at the Toledo Museum of Art. In this era, indigenous peoples would use art not just as a means of creativity, but also as a trade item for other desired goods. On display, visitors will find 24 items that reflect the culture of the time, including moose hair embroidery, beadwork and birch tree bark carvings.

Rachel Ruysch: Nature Into Art | Through July 27  
Dutch still-life painter Rachel Ruysch captured the natural world in realistic detail and vibrant color, her works spanning the 17th and 18th centuries and making her a celebrated artist of the era. Over 100 of her still-life paintings can be viewed at the Toledo Museum of Art this season, as well as some side by sides of Ruysch’s work next to her sister Anna’s pieces.

Wild Earth: JB Blunk and Toshiko Takaezu | Through Aug. 3
Explore the postwar era through the hand-built creations of JB Blunk and Toshiko Takaezu on display this season at the Columbus Museum of Art. This exhibit marks the first time that these two artists have been shown together in a museum gallery, and visitors will be able to see their creations side by side. Objects in the exhibit include wood pieces, jewelry, tea bowls and more that reflect themes in the natural world.

Cycle Thru! The Art of the Bike | Through Aug. 24
Everyone can relate to the experience of riding a bicycle, but the swift models we ride today were not always the norm. Bikes date back centuries, and visitors to the Cincinnati Art Museum this season can explore the evolution of the bicycle thanks to a partnership with the Church in Sag Harbor, New York and the Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, Ohio. See how society went from the big-wheeled models in the history books to the modern machines of today.

Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow | May 25-Sept. 7
The work of renowned Japanese Artist Takashi Murakami lands at the Cleveland Museum of Art beginning May 25 to share pieces that use bright color and the styles of anime, manga and more. These vibrant, cheerfully colored works are used to express a reaction to historic events including the bombings of Japan by the United States during World War II, the Tohoku earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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