"Dancing in the Light: Masterworks from the Age of American Impressionism" is the Centerpiece of a Compelling Schedule of Exhibitions . . .

The Canton Museum of Art (CMA) today announced a robust lineup of exhibitions for its 2020 – 2021 season in celebration of the Museum’s 85th Anniversary, headlined by the CMA original exhibition Dancing in the Light: Masterworks from the Age of American Impressionism, which will open on November 27, 2020.

CMA opens its anniversary season on Tuesday, August 25, with four new exhibitions, including ReTooled: Highlights from the Hechinger Collection which celebrates everyday tools in fanciful works of art that speak of beauty, insight, and wit. CMA’s season will include a total of 12 exhibitions and related programs and events, planned both online and in-person, that will engage the Museum’s community, regional, and national audiences with spectacular works of art, the stories behind them, and their relationship to history, culture, and society.

The season’s centerpiece exhibition Dancing in the Light: Masterworks from the Age of American Impressionism will feature works from Ohio and regional institutions and private collections, highlighting the uniquely American medium of watercolor. It will also feature several American Impressionist masterpieces rarely exhibited in public. This major exhibition is presented with generous support in part from: The Timken Foundation of Canton, PNC Bank, Visit Canton, Stark Community Foundation, The Anthony J. and Susan E. Paparella Family Foundation, and The Hoover Foundation.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone anniversary season with an engaging exhibition lineup with art for everyone to experience in the way they want – inside our galleries, virtually, or both,” said Museum Director Max R. Barton II. “While it’s been a challenging year, we are grateful for the support of our community, sponsors, donors, members, and our cultural collaborators that have helped to keep art and the arts alive in our digital space, making art accessible for all,” said Barton. “This connection has reached tens of thousands with art education activities, art therapy, classes, and more, and it will continue to grow.”

Under new COVID-19 health and safety protocols and procedures, CMA reopened in a limited capacity on June 30, and welcomed visitors through August 2 with free admission, courtesy of the PNC Foundation.  

“At PNC, we understand how engagement in the arts can enrich lives and build stronger, more vibrant communities,” said Joe Luckring, PNC regional president for Akron. “During this difficult time, we felt it was important to find ways to help our friends and neighbors stay connected to the arts.”

CMA Resuming Regular Hours

CMA will open new exhibitions on Tuesday, August 25, and will resume regular gallery operating hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The Museum will be closed to the public on Mondays. Limited capacities and advance timed-ticketed reservations remain in effect. Tickets can be reserved on the CMA website at cantonart.org/reservetickets. Regular CMA admission prices apply. Free Thursdays offer free admission to all, courtesy of PNC Foundation. CMA members always receive free admission.   

“We know the Canton Museum of Art is a gathering place for our community,” said Barton. “Our top priority in continuing to welcome audiences back is that visitors and staff feel comfortable and safe. We remain vigilant and in contact with health professionals and our museum peers on our COVID-19 protocols and any changes that may be necessary moving forward.”

CMA 2020 – 2021 Exhibitions Schedule —

See “About the Exhibitions” PDF for More Details

Fall Exhibitions August 25 – October 25, 2020:

• ReTooled: Highlights from the Hechinger Collection
• Stories: BIPOC Artists from the CMA Collection
• Approaching the Shift – Drawings by Judith Brandon
• Industry, Invention, and Progress

Winter Exhibitions: November 27, 2020 – March 7, 2021

• Dancing in the Light: Masterworks from the Age of American Impressionism
• In the Garden: Nature’s Beauty from the CMA Collection
• Whiskey Painters of America
• Ceramics for the Anthropocene

Spring Exhibitions: April 10 – July 3, 2021

• Mort Künstler: “The Godfather” of Pulp Fiction Illustrators
• Tomorrow – An Unknown Quantity: The Artwork of WWII POW Lee Kessler
• We’ve Got Issues: Watercolors by Myra Schuetter
• Collection Gems: Celebrating 85 Years of CMA
   

Events and Programs

CMA is working to reformulate a series of both in-person and online events – including Curator Talks, Meet the Artist programs, and free Family Events – to inspire exciting arts experiences that will immerse audiences into each series of exhibitions.

“Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and what are certain to be changing protocols and procedures over the next year, CMA will be announcing all exhibition related in-person and online openings, programs, and family events on an individual basis via news releases, e-blasts, social media platforms, and our website,” Barton said. Stay connected with us, and we thank you for your understanding.”

In collaboration with the Dancing in the Light exhibition, Visit Canton and ArtsInStark will be presenting “Illumination: Canton Light Festival,” which will be a series of light shows in January and February 2021 displayed at Downtown Canton locations, inside the Cultural Center for the Arts, and projected outside between the Cultural Center and the Canton Civic Center for an exciting drive-through experience.

In addition, CMA is planning to celebrate 85 years of memories of the Museum through its Spring 2021 Collection Gems exhibition, with in-person and online visitors sharing photos and videos with the hashtag #CantonArtStory about their favorite exhibitions, works of art, classes, and more.

CMA’s digital programming – including CMA From Home, Museum To Go, and Art for Health & Healing – activities on our website and social media will continue, as part of our regular programming.

What to Know Before You Visit Canton Museum of Art

CMA continues to follow guidelines from the Ohio Governor's Office and Ohio Department of Public Health, CDC, the American Alliance of Museums, and best practices set forth by museum directors across the state and country for safe operations amid COVID-19. To learn what to expect, please read “Visiting CMA with COVID-19 Precautions” at cantonart.org.

CMA is monitoring the COVID-19 situation regularly and will modify its protocols and processes as new information from state and local officials and the CDC becomes available. Stay informed and up-to-date at coronavirus.ohio.gov.

About PNC Bank

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

About the Canton Museum of Art

The Canton Museum of Art is recognized for powerful original exhibitions and national touring exhibitions focused on American art – and making the discovery and exploration of art accessible to all. The Museum’s education outreach programs, classes, and workshops serve thousands of students of all ages. CMA’s collection focuses on American works on paper, primarily watercolors, and contemporary ceramics. Founded in 1935, CMA is one of three museums in Stark County accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and serves more than 45,000 visitors each year. CMA receives operating support in part from ArtsInStark and the Ohio Arts Council. CMA celebrates its 85th Anniversary in the 2020 – 2021 season. Visit cantonart.org to learn more.

Main Image Credit: Drifting with the Tide, 1884. Ralph Wormeley Curtis (American, 1854-1922). Oil on canvas, 25 1/2 x 37 1/2 inches. On Loan from a Private Collection, Courtesy of Keny Galleries.

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