Quote: The Museum is located in downtown Canton in the Cultural Center for the Arts. We got lost trying to find it, but as usual on these side trips we enjoyed seeing the older neighborhood nearby. I advise using the directions on the museum’s website (www.cantonart.org) rather than other Internet map services. Five entities share the facility. They are the Art Museum, Canton Symphony, Players guild, Voci (Civic Opera), and the Ballet.

Morning Breeze, a very large, colorful non-objective abstract sculpture that dominates the entry patio. It not only gets your attention, it gives you a preview of the museum’s collection. The main gallery had a striking collection of Julian Stanczak. These very geometric large canvasses and groupings of smaller ones can play tricks with your eyes by the tonal use of colors. The curator told us that it could take up to five years to arrange for an exhibit, locating pieces and securing permission to show them. A smaller gallery had paintings of Ron Donohue showing work in the steel mills. That is a highly appropriate subject Ohio. This artist was allowed to paint on site at a mill in full operation. He captured the light from the clerestory windows and the molten metal beautifully. Another large gallery was devoted to ceramics of various origins and styles. We enjoyed the humor of some pieces and I was quite taken with the Egyptian motif pieces by Christopher Ryan.

The museum has a $22 million dollar permanent collection of paintings (with emphasis on water colors), furniture, ceramics and sculptures. There is a very good museum shop in the lobby that features original art and jewelry. Gallery admission is $4 for adults, $2.50 for seniors and children. Museum hours are: Mon-sat 10:00 am-5:00pm; Tue-Thu evenings 7:00-9:00pm; and Sundays 1:00-5:00pm.



From journals Ohio-W.VA Wanderings