Hello, art lovers!

I’m writing this morning to introduce myself and to share with you some of the newest programs at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

My name is Liz Gardner and I joined the Cincinnati Art Museum this past June as the Assistant Director of Interpretive Programming. Along with my colleague, Elissa Conte, Coordinator for Interpretive Programming, I am working to bring you programs that interpret the Art Museum’s collections and special exhibitions through fresh and diverse perspectives.

To that end, I’m very excited to announce a new slate of programs starting this September that are designed to enrich your experience connecting with art here at the Art Museum.

New: Art 360

Join us for Art 360, a monthly gallery talk led by Art Museum staff that examines one object from every angle. In September, we’ll explore a painting by Mark Rothko through listening to music of the 1960s, and in October, we’ll unroll a massive tapestry in the Great Hall to talk about textile conservation. Each month will be totally different, so find us on the fourth Saturday of the month from 2-3 p.m. – you never know what we might discover together.

New: BYOC

On third Sundays from 1-4pm at BYOC (Bring Your Own Craft), create your own art in a casual, stress-free environment with like-minded individuals for what we like to call “creative fellowship.” Bring the project you’re working on (must fit in a tote bag; dry media only please!) and enjoy some feedback or good conversation. Don’t have a project you’re working on? No problem. Each month, a simple creative prompt, materials, and encouragement will be supplied to help you get going. For the first installment, we’ll be raiding our kitchens and junk drawers for objects to use in “Block Printing with Unusual Found Objects.”

New: Programs for our Special Needs Visitors

I’m also pleased to share that starting this year, the Art Museum will be offering regularly scheduled programming for visitors with disabilities. On the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m.-12 noon, blind and visually impaired visitors can join specially trained docents for touch tours of highlights from our permanent collection, while on third Saturdays from 11 a.m.-12 noon, deaf and hard of hearing visitors will have the option of an ASL-interpreted tour of special exhibitions. Finally, on the fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m., the Art Museum will offer Connect, a new program for visitors with developmental and cognitive disabilities. Connect is a multisensory, hands-on experience in the galleries followed by art making, with a different theme every month. Each program is free, but requires advance registration, so please call 513.721.ARTS for more information.

Plus, the favorites

Of course, the Art Museum will also be offering everyone’s old favorites: sketching atStudio Sunday; InDepth special exhibition gallery talks; See the Story book club in partnership with the Public Libraries of Cincinnati and Hamilton Counties; Yoga with the Masters; and live community performances through Something Different on Fridays from 12 noon until 2 p.m. And don’t forget to stay tuned for upcoming special lectures, concerts, and workshops!

You can find additional information about all of these programs and more here.

I can’t wait to meet you all at the Art Museum in September – be sure to introduce yourself, and feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas! My email [email protected].

Best,

Liz