Ongoing
Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection

Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection

Presented by Cincinnati Art Museum at Cincinnati Art Museum

Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection
June 9–October 8, 2023

Works of art connect us. Yet mystery surrounds both our experiences of making them and our encounters with them.

Drawn from the collection of Richard Rosenthal and his family, this exhibition celebrates a promised gift to the Cincinnati Art Museum and features 38 works by self-taught artists from diverse cultures and circumstances.

Connected by a desire to communicate through art making—and by astonishing creativity and ingenuity—these artists, most from the 20th century, speak volumes. Their media include drawings, paintings, sculpture, and needlework. Their art materials range from the conventional to creatively repurposed ones like housepaint, cardboard, rocks, bottle caps, cans, even discarded scraps of wood.

The exhibition features artists recognized by the art world and museums as well as those whose creative output remained obscure or known only to close associates. They include Bill Traylor, Nellie Mae Rowe, Ralph Fasanella, Martín Ramírez, Thornton Dial, Nek Chand, and many others. We feature their works alongside those of French artist Jean Dubuffet, a champion of self-taught art.

The significant contributions to the Cincinnati Art Museum of Richard “Dick” Rosenthal and his family reflect a commitment to sharing works of art, making art widely accessible, and fostering creativity. Most notably, in 2003, a generous donation from the Rosenthal Family Foundation supported free, daily admission. Since 2011, the Rosenthal Education Center (REC) has provided hands-on art making experiences for drop-in visitors. Recently, Dick and Kitty Rosenthal were honorary chairs of the A New View campaign, which surpassed $65 million in fundraising. It is his hope that the promised bequest of art and this exhibition will gain wider appreciation for the work of self-taught artists and encourage the collecting and donation of their work.

This exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue published by the museum in association with D. Giles Ltd.

Admission Info

If you need accessibility accommodations for this program or event, please email access@cincyart.org. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance to ensure accommodations can be made.

Phone: (513) 721-2787

Email: CAMlistens@cincyart.org

Dates & Times

2023/06/09 - 2023/10/08

Location Info

Cincinnati Art Museum

953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Parking Info

Parking: FREE. Bike Racks are available outside the Main Entrance of the Art Museum. Hook up to one of our Marcel Duchamp-inspired racks during your visit! Accessible Parking is available in our north parking lot, just past the main visitor parking lot and entrance. Wheelchair + Stroller Entry is available via our DeWitt Entrance, on the east side of the museum, near the accessible parking. Access to the Mary R. Schiff Library + Archives is available via our Castellini Foundation Entrance, just to the right of the main entrance on the west side of the building.