For our 85th anniversary, the Canton Museum of Art's philanthropic group, the Volunteer Angels, along with CMA's staff, have chosen their favorite pieces from our Collection. All of their choices are displayed in this exhibit - Collection Gems: Celebrating 85 Years of CMA. 

The Collection of the Canton Museum of Art contains  "the treasures of the museum" and has a long history of growth. The Canton Museum of Art began as the Little Civic Art Gallery on the second floor of Canton's Carnegie Library in 1935. Although activity was initially centered on giving area artists a place to exhibit and students a place to learn, in its very first year, the Gallery acquired three works into its Collection. The development of the Collection was not a major factor in the early years. In fact, it was not until 1947 that the re-christened Canton Art Institute presented a comprehensive exhibition of the Collection in its Case Mansion home. During the museum's first twenty-five years, approximately 600 objects came to be a part of the Collection.

In 1995, the Art Institute became known as the Canton Museum of Art. Since then, the Museum has researched, discovered, and purchased additional masterpieces, such as Claude Raguet Hirst’s An Interesting Book and William Sommers’ U.S. Mail and Brandywine, all featured in this exhibition.

Building a strong, vital Collection is central to fulfilling the Museum’s commitment to our community and to building a lasting legacy for the future. Our Museum’s Collection is the catalyst behind our educational programming for adults and children and our art therapy services, aiming to improve the lives of those it serves. At the close of our 85th anniversary season, our Volunteer Angels and staff celebrate all that our collection has to offer with this exhibition. 

Formed in 1992 by Tanya Harroff and Rachel Schneider, the Volunteer Angels is an organization of passionate supporters of art and the Canton Museum of Art -- inspired by the museum's dedication to make art accessible to all through exhibits and programs that foster creative discovery and learning, and connect art to life throughout our community and region. The Volunteer Angels are committed to being strong ambassadors of the museum, celebrating its work in strengthening our community and introducing its programs to a wider audience. You can learn more about this wonderful group and how to join here.

To view the pieces in this exhibit, click here.

To view the museum's entire Collection, click here.

READ OUR LATEST MAGAZINE ISSUE HERE

WATCH OUR VIRTUAL OPENING:

VIEW OUR VIRTUAL EXHIBIT ONLINE WITH INTERACTIVE IMAGE POP OUTS AND AUDIO COMMENTARY:

 

Image pictured above: Street People, 1936. Clyde Singer (American, 1908-1999). Oil on canvas, 30 x 75 in. Gift in loving memory of Anne Genshaft by David Genshaft and family, 992.5

Thumbnail image: Impressions: Europe #26, 1983. George Kozmon (American, Born 1960). Conte crayon and ink wash on paper, 37 x 48

in. Purchased by the Canton Museum of Art, 83.10