Traveling Through Ohio This Summer?

Whenever I travel I always take advantage of the local art scene. Whether it’s planned trips to see specific artwork or a show I happen upon, it is always fun to make art a part of my travels. If you are going to be traveling south or you are just looking for an excuse to hop in your car for a weekend away, you may be interested in some exhibits not too far away in Columbus. World renowned glass blower Dale Chihuly has an exhibit at Columbus’ Franklin Park Conservatory from July 4th through March 2010. Chihuly’s organic shaped glass installations play off of the environment they are presented in. There are no exceptions in the botanical garden where this show is located. This exhibit will showcase his work from a previous show that took place in 2003 and includes three new sculptures. Need more? Another exhibit is just over a mile away at The Columbus Museum of Art until August 2nd. The museum is showcasing 40 small-scale watercolors painted by Charles Burchfield between 1918 and 1920. Burchfield’s artwork is something that we can relate to as Michiganders. He created expressionistic paintings of mid-western regional scenes. Looking at his paintings of his north eastern hometown of Salem, Ohio I can’t help but to think of what it was like to grow up in a small town during the long, cold winter months.

Why Take Art?

Art simply offers something for everyone. Beginning in the elementary years, children use art as a way to develop fine motor skills, understand processes, learn about culture and history all while developing creatively through a variety of media. Involvement in art strengthens self-esteem and promotes individuality. Children use art as an outlet and as a form of personal expression. As children grow older, they apply higher levels of thinking in art. Critical thinking skills are exercised in creation and criticism of art, which includes analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. With each blog entry on this site we hope that you will make connections with different learning styles and interests and agree that with art the possibilities are endless.