Going Against The Grain

Going Against The Grain

The Midwest art scene doesn’t get much attention. When was the last time some national source discussed Midwestern artists? Unfortunately, when people think of “art” they typically think of New York or Los Angeles. But, after entering The Massillon Museum and its new exhibit, many will have a new respect for the Midwestern art scene and its approach to Modernism.

The Massillon Museum is featuring a new traveling exhibit titled, “Against the Grain: Modernism in the Midwest” and it’s one of the museums most impressive exhibits to date.

“Reactions have been great. (I’ve heard) lots of comments about all the paintings being very strong”, says Christine Shearer, the Massillon Museum’s executive director and curator of the exhibit.

The exhibit features artists who were born, taught or lived in the Midwest. Many of the artists, like Charles Burchfield, are from Ohio. The exhibition focuses on the development of Modernism in the Midwest and highlights artists who painted between 1900 and 1950, the highest point of the Modernist artistic movement. Artists include Ivan Albright, Gertrude Abercrombie, Clara Deike and William Sommner.

Visitors are treated to nearly 70 paintings that explore the artist’s different approaches to the movement. Subjects range from industrious factories to landscapes, both of which may have been viewed right out the artist’s window.

“The subject matter often reflects Midwest values and ideals. They were comfortable in their home towns and devoted to the artistic life there”, Shearer mentions.

Ultimately, the exhibition is a testament to Midwestern pride and innovation, which is often overlooked. Until now.

The exhibition is funded through the National Endowment for the Arts’ American Masterpieces: the Centuries of Artistic Genius initiative.

The Massillon Museum is located at 121 Lincoln Way East, in the heart of downtown Massillon. The Massillon Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Visits are always free. For more information, contact the Museum at 330-833-4061 or visit www.massillonmuseum.org.

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