The Great Art Escape Returns to the 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, 2021. Taylor Cadillac is sponsoring the event.
        “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, 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 features 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. 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.
        The Museum is located at 2445 Monroe St. at Scottwood Avenue, just west of the downtown business district. Admission to the Toledo Museum of Art is free. Parking is also free for museum members and is $8 for nonmembers. For more information, visit toledomuseum.org.
 
        Great Art Escape schedule of events
        • Free Virtual Glassblowing Demonstrations: Fables & Fairytales on the following dates and times:
        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 favorite childhood stories on the museum 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. via Zoom. Join local author Aya Khalil for a family-friendly story time. Khalil will read her book, “The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story” – 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 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 (fee applies). Enjoy TMA’s instruction at home through virtual livestream 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 livestream 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 visit tickets.toledomuseum.org.
        Drawing with Chalk Pastels, (ages 8-10), Saturday, Dec. 26: 10 a.m.-noon. Fee is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers. 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 and Saturday, Jan. 2: 10:30 a.m.-noon. Fee is $30 for members and $35 nonmembers. Teens will be able to learn how to use their smartphone 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 (fee applies). Project pickup will be Saturday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Project drop-off will be Saturday, Jan. 2 and Sunday, Jan. 3 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The fee is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers.
        Work with the Museum's glass instructors to create your own frosty glass. Pick up your 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, the museum asks that participants select the date and time they would like to drop off their projects 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 during 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.
        • Free Virtual (Re)New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2-4 p.m. via Zoom. Participate in “Fuera con Fuerza,” 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.