It's been an eye-popping year for the arts, in more ways than one. If you've missed something -- or even if you haven't -- read on for the severely abridged scoop on 2004. ...
Most memorable was the re-opening of the TAFT MUSEUM OF ART after an extensive renovation that took more than two years. The Museum's space, once the home of Charles and Anna Taft, had retained its original flooring, lighting and decoration since its inception as a museum in 1932. Its grand re-opening on May 15 was a spectacular sight: Not only did the newly refurbished surfaces glow in the soft lighting, but the walls held To Observe and Imagine: British Watercolors and Drawings, a striking exhibit to kick off a brand new era at the Taft. ...
The CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER certainly didn't go quietly into 2004 after its magnificent opening in 2003: The CAC settled easily into its new home and brought Cincinnati a terrific inaugural year, most notably with the Beautiful Losers exhibit, a vast exploration of art inspired by urban street culture and skateboarding, among other things. Consuming two full floors of the space, the exhibition was vibrant, edgy and thought-provoking. In addition, the CAC joined forces with two "edgy" galleries, PUBLICO and THE MOCKBEE, for related street culture and "outsider" art exhibitions to complement Beautiful Losers. In March the CAC hired a new director, Linda Shearer to replace Charles Desmarais, recently named deputy director for art at the Brooklyn Museum. ...
THE MOCKBEE, that cavernous behemoth rising from Central Parkway in the Brighton district, had a significant year as well. After the not-so-quiet demise of SSNOVA in 2003, many people wondered what would happen to the space, under new leadership and with a new name. Over the past year, Managing Director Carissa Barnard and Program Director Chris Daniel have put together strong, consistent and varied programming. There have been so many exhibitions I'm hard-pressed to name one favorite, but I'm happy to see that things are in the capable hands of Barnard and Daniel. ...
Along those same lines, it's terrific to report that VISIONARIES AND VOICES, a studio and gallery for artists with disabilities, housed at the Essex Studios complex in Walnut Hills, has made it through its crucial first year and continues to grow. With several exhibitions under their belt, both solo and collaborative, the organizers seem poised to flourish in the next few years, with the continued support of the community and knowledgeable, confident leadership. ...
Talk about confident leadership: The board and volunteers behind the new KENNEDY HEIGHTS ARTS CENTER in Pleasant Ridge wouldn't give up the fight for their building. Housed in the former home of Louis Kennedy, the 129-year-old structure was in danger of being bulldozed for a storage unit, but area residents formed a nonprofit to buy the building, with help from the city. The Center, newly christened into the arts community, houses artists' studios and space for art classes. In addition, the center hopes to provide some public art projects. Congratulations, and we look forward to seeing what 2005 brings for you! ...
On a less cheerful note, 2004 also saw the closing of some excellent galleries which we can only hope are not gone for good. LINDA SCHWARTZ GALLERY on Fourth Street closed its doors during the summer, much to the chagrin of many. Its curator and namesake, Linda Schwartz, promises it's not for good: She's taking some time off and hopes to re-open in 2005 in a new home. In the meantime, she's missed. CLOSSON'S PHYLLIS J. WESTON GALLERY, formerly located at Hyde Park Square, closed its doors as well. In November plans were revealed to move the gallery to Closson's flagship store in Montgomery. Just days later, Cincinnati arts grande dame, Phyllis Weston, announced she would join her friend Annie Bolling at M. WILLIS INTERIORS in Oakley. Most recently, MALTON GALLERY in Hyde Park will move into Closson's former space around the corner. Despite the quick turn of events, it's good to see that Phyllis Weston hasn't disappeared and that the beautiful gallery space will be put to very skilled use. ...
The FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY HOP in Northern Kentucky grew in its second year, where over 20 galleries collaborate to mirror the Final Friday Gallery Walk that happens in Over-the-Rhine at the end of each month. On the first Friday evening of each month, galleries and shops in quaint Mainstrasse Village in Covington and in Newport join forces to offer gallery openings, refreshments and a general good time to area residents. It seems more galleries jump in each month -- three cheers for continued collaboration! ...
Last, but by no means least, the CINCINNAT ART MUSEUM brought us Petra: Lost City of Stone in September, a massive exhibition that was 10 years in the making for CAM, and with good reason. Petra features 19 tons of stone, re-creating the ancient city, carved from the desert's rock cliffs in southern Jordan. Featuring 200 objects that immerse you in the remarkable culture of this city, it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. ... It's been a remarkable year for visual arts. And, if you missed anything, don't worry: 2005 looks even more promising.
