From TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART
Celebrate the season with a diverse array of activities and events during the Great Art Escape, which returns to the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) Dec. 26–27 and Dec. 30–Jan. 3. The Great Art Escape is sponsored by Taylor Cadillac.
“Given current circumstances, the Toledo Museum of Art staff reimagined what this year’s Great Art Escape festivities could look like,” said Maria Iafelice, the Museum’s youth and family programs manager. “We’re excited to be able to offer visitors a combination of onsite and online experiences as part this annual, winter tradition.”
New to this year’s activities is an outdoor “glowing garden” featuring illuminated ornamental flowers called Astro Botanicals. These large-scale, color-changing sculptures are designed by California-based fabric artist Stan Clark. This free, outdoor experience will take place during Museum hours from Saturday, Dec. 26 through Saturday, Jan. 2, and is weather permitting.
Circle, TMA’s affinity group dedicated to inclusive and innovative programming that engages new audiences, has created a one-of-a-kind gallery hunt inspired by art and reflection. The guide is filled with ideas and activities to see as you explore the Museum and create your own resolution or goals for the year ahead. Participants who complete the hunt will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 TMA gift card; guides will be available at the Information Desks.
The Great Art Escape is also visitors’ last opportunity to view both Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water and The Path to Paradise: Judith Schaechter’s Stained-Glass Art. Both exhibitions close Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. For a complete list of current and upcoming exhibitions, visit the Museum website at toledomuseum.org/art/exhibitions.
Other activities—including glassblowing demonstrations, Family Center visiting artist, youth art workshops and (Re)New Year’s Day—will take place virtually.
Admission to the Toledo Museum of Art is free. Parking is also free for Museum members and $8 for nonmembers. For more information, visit toledomuseum.org.
The Great Art Escape Schedule of Events
FREE Virtual Glassblowing Demonstrations: Fables & Fairytales
Saturday, Dec. 26: noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 27: noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 30: 2 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 31: 2 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 1: 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 2: noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 3: noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Watch TMA’s team of glass artists create whimsical pieces inspired by your favorite childhood stories on the Toledo Museum of Art YouTube channel (youtube.com/ToledoMuseum). Glassblowing demonstrations are sponsored by O-I.
FREE Virtual Family Center Visiting Artist: Aya Khalil
Wednesday, Dec. 30: 10 a.m., Zoom
Join local author Aya Khalil for a family-friendly story time! Khalil will read her book, “The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story,” which is an endearing story of little Kanzi’s first day of third grade in the United States. Kanzi recently immigrated with her family from Egypt and does not want any extra attention on her than is necessary. This virtual event is free, but advanced registration is required and can be completed at tickets.toledomuseum.org. A link for the live-stream event will be emailed to participants in advance of the story time. The Family Center is supported in part by Mercy Health, the Toledo Museum of Art Ambassadors and The Andersons Inc.
The Museum Store is hosting a contactless book signing in the lead up to this event. Copies of “The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story” are available for purchase at The Museum Store, both in person and online (tmastore.org), through Dec. 29. In addition to signing the book, Khalil will also inscribe a dedicated name in Arabic for each copy sold. All purchased copies can be left with The Museum Store and once the copies have been signed, a sales associate will contact the purchaser to schedule pick up or delivery.
($) Virtual Youth Art Workshops
Enjoy TMA’s quality instruction at home through virtual live-stream workshops. Students will learn about some of the iconic works of art in the Museum collection, then combine that inspiration with their own creativity at home. Please note that this class is only a live-stream format and no recorded content will be included. Advanced registration is required and includes access to live-stream sessions and a kit of supplies. To register, please visittickets.toledomuseum.org.
Drawing with Chalk Pastels (ages 8-10)
Saturday, Dec. 26: 10 a.m.-noon
$30 members / $35 nonmembers
In this workshop, participants will create vivid pastel drawings inspired by the exhibit The Path to Paradise: Judith Schaechter’s Stained-Glass Art. Learn mark-making and blending techniques and complete your own piece of art.
Elements of Art through Photography (ages 11-13)
Saturday, Dec. 26: 10:30 a.m.-noon
Saturday, Jan. 2: 10:30 a.m.-noon
$30 members / $35 nonmembers
In this course teens will be able to learn how to use their smart phone or tablet to create masterful photographs that push beyond a snapshot and as they learn how to use the principles of art to create meaningful works.
($) Glass Art Workshops: Frosty Glass
Project Pickup: Saturday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 27: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Project Dropoff: Saturday, Jan. 2 and Sunday, Jan. 3: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
$20 members / $25 nonmembers
Work with the Museum’s glass instructors to create your very own frosty glass. Pick up your own clear drinking glass or mug at the Glass Pavilion and take it home to apply the provided stickers and decals. Then bring it back to the Museum to get frosted and reveal your own unique designs. Glasses will be frosted upon drop off on a first come, first served basis (duration approximately one hour). To help encourage social distancing, we ask that you please select the date and time you would like to drop off your project during the registration process. Register online at tickets.toledomuseum.org. Frosty Glass workshops are sponsored in part by Libbey, Inc.
FREE Glowing Garden
Saturday, Dec. 26-Saturday, Jan. 2: Museum hours, Monroe Street Terrace
Visit the TMA campus to view inflatable space plants called Astro Botanicals. Visitors will be able to wander and view the extra-large, color changing sculptures on the main terrace located along Monroe Street. The experience is family-friendly and will take place outdoors; participants will be required to wear a face covering and maintain physical distance. The installation of Astro Botanicals is sponsored in part by Taylor Cadillac, Betco, The Collective and Air Force One.
FREE Virtual (Re)New Year’s Day
Friday, Jan. 1: 2-4 p.m., Zoom
Looking for an enjoyable way to talk about grief? Fuera con Fuerza is an art-based workshop designed to help process the grief of 2020 and give way to an optimistic outlook for 2021.
Visual artist, certified thanatologist and New York State-licensed creative arts therapist Jenn Perez-Savage will provide a fun and multi-cultural approach to moving through and learning about grief by allowing participants to create affirmation cards in a tarot-like form.
In this virtual workshop, participants will create artwork that will strengthen personal insight and positive energy to manifest their 2021 destiny. Advanced registration is required at tickets.toledomuseum.org. The event is free; participants have the option at registration to purchase a $10 supply kit. (Re)New Year’s Day is sponsored by Circle, the Toledo Museum of Art’s affinity group dedicated to inclusive and innovative programming that engages new audiences with the Museum.
