Step into a holiday wonderland at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio and celebrate a Christmas of craftsmanship and creativity spanning more than five centuries.  Guests will explore a treasure trove of rare finds, cherished childhood memories and enchanting decorations created by families and gifted artists in this special holiday exhibition that opens November 24 and runs through December 31.  A Homemade, Handmade and Artist-Made Christmas exhibition will include extremely rare ornaments and artifacts, including a page extracted from a Bible dating back to 1420. The hand-scribed ..read more

French for open air, plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. Yet for many, there’s a mystery surrounding this art form, leaving more questions than answers.  Lisa Schorr, Director of Arts Education at Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, says her goal is to introduce the challenges and benefits that come with this unique format to those who may not be familiar with it, but have seen artists honing their craft at local parks and other outdoor areas.  “I want people who enjoy painting and drawing to ..read more

Whether it’s in the dreamlike, epic landscapes of Judith Brandon, the poetic figures of Stanka Kordic or the architectural, sculptural glass forms of Michael Mikula, light plays an essential role in visual art. Opening June 3, Intrinsic Luminescence captures three artists’ techniques in creating a sense of inner light that is both inspiring and breathtaking. Curator Ross Lesko explains his motivation behind building an exhibition around this theme, and what he hopes will stay with each visitor after exploring the works of these three talented artists. What thought process was behind the ins ..read more

  A vibrant display of blooming styles will take center stage as Flower Power: Flora in Fashion debuts February 4 at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio.   For Gayle Strege, who is curating both Flower Power and the complementary exhibit, Botany in Buttons, showcasing humankind’s relationship with nature through the clothes that we wear provides a unique look at fashion.   “The colors and shapes of flowers, and whether the motifs are printed, painted or applied, are represented in various scales in this exhibit, showcasing creativity of designers,” she said.   Strege is the ..read more

A Storybook Christmas (Classic holiday stories, children's storybooks, and vintage toys and decorations); Curators George and Jeanne Johnson A Very Brady Holiday, Courtesy of the Paramount Pictures Archive (Costumes and props from the Brady Bunch films and TV series); Curator: Randall Thropp ​ Celebrate the holidays immersed in favorite childhood storybooks, iconic toys and memorable costumes from one of America’s most-loved TV and movie families. The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio will present, “A Storybook Christmas Featuring a Very Brady Holiday,” an exhibition that is sure to evoke mem ..read more

Housed at the Mazza Museum at The University of Findlay is the world ‘s largest collection of original artwork by children’s book illustrators, some of which offer an inspirational look at the Buckeye state’s greatness. Beginning this month, a piece of that collection will travel to the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio and will showcase the soaring ambitions and creative spirit of Ohioans who have shaped history. Ohio: The Start of It All will open September 24 and run through December 31 at DACO. The exhibit features a portion of one of the most diverse collections of original art from pictu ..read more

Folk music roots run deep in Jeff Putnam’s family, so even as a child, he was familiar with the music of Woody Guthrie.  Guthrie is a legendary singer and song writer, and considered one of the most significant figures in American folk music. Perhaps most widely known for his song, “This Land is Your Land,” Guthrie wrote hundreds of country, folk and children’s songs before dying in 1967 from complications of Huntington’s disease. Thanks to artists like Putnam, however, Guthrie’s legacy lives on. Putnam will pay tribute to Guthrie in a special performance, Woody Guthrie In Song & C ..read more

Above: Images by Dorothea Lange (left) and Autumn Bland (right) Although two very different historic times, the Great Depression and the COVID-19 pandemic have had major impacts on American life and society. Photographers were there to document the effects wrought by these experiences, and their impactful work is being showcased in a new exhibit at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. Featuring photography from two times of national struggle, Chronicles: The Great Depression and the Pandemic highlights Depression-era photographers from the Works Progress Administration’s (WPA) Farm Security ..read more

While writing haiku is a fun experience, this type of poetry is often a misunderstood genre, Ohio Arts Council Teaching Artist Jennifer Hambrick says. “While some may think haiku shoehorns them into writing just three lines, it’s more than that, because it encourages simplicity and cleaning your mind, relaxing and being in the moment,” the award-winning poet said. Hambrick will host two classes in the coming weeks at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio that give participants a glimpse into this historical and popular form of poetry. ​These include a Haiku Rocks! course from 2 to 3 p.m ..read more

Step into a holiday wonderland at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio and celebrate a Christmas of craftsmanship and creativity spanning more than five centuries.  Guests will explore a treasure trove of rare finds, cherished childhood memories and enchanting decorations created by families and gifted artists in this special holiday exhibition that opens November 24 and runs through December 31.  A Homemade, Handmade and Artist-Made Christmas exhibition will include extremely rare ornaments and artifacts, including a page extracted from a Bible dating back to 1420. The hand-scribed ..read more