Sand sculptures, food trucks, midway games, palm trees – while all of these things may conjure an image of the ocean boardwalk at Venice Beach, this was the scene at the Cincinnati Art Museum on June 15, when we transformed our main parking lot into an Art Boardwalk to kick off our Cincinnati Summer. Hundreds of visitors joined us for this kick-off to ten weeks of special programming celebrating the tenth anniversary of our Cincinnati Wing and the openings of Eternal Summer: The Art of Edward Henry Potthast,Cincinnati Everyday, and the Cincinnati Art Award.

Local favorites The Harlequins reminded us that the “Midwest Coast is the best coast” with their sun-drenched surf rock, Able Projects dreamed up a beach oasis (complete with surfboards and a giant crab) around their DIY Screen Printing set-up, Happen, Inc. turned their tent into a kids’ regatta, and Framester transformed a storage container into a sun- and sand-filled photo booth. Meanwhile, kids and adults alike played in our Art Midway and enjoyed delicious treats from Cincinnati-area food trucks.

And the fun is only beginning! Join us to test your Queen City knowledge at our Cincinnati Game Night, learn more about Cincinnati artists past and present at special gallery talks and lectures, vote for your favorite chili and relax in our local brewery biergarten at Art After Dark or show your competitive spirit at our 5K.

We can’t wait to make some Cincinnati Summer memories with you in the next few months. What’s your favorite Cincinnati Summer activity?

Share your stories with us at the Art Museum or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, orInstagram with #cincysummer

See our calendar for a full listing of Cincinnati Summer programs.