Taft, Public Library team to celebrate museum's 80th anniversary

As Cincinnati’s “home for art,” the Taft Museum of Art has stood stalwart for generations as a unique cultural institution, housing an extensive art collection that encompasses both American and international works in a grand yet intimate setting.

As the museum celebrates its 80th year, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County presents a series of six talks highlighting the unique history, art and families that have influenced the repository’s longevity.

The talks are designed to bring a piece of the Taft Museum to new audiences.

David Siders, popular library manager for the Public Library of Cincinnati, and Nancy Huth, curator of education for the Taft Museum of Art, developed and planned the 80th anniversary talk series.

“The Taft showcases a couples’ art collection in a domestic setting and in a way that encourages engagement with the artwork,” Huth says. “It is truly a Cincinnati gem.”

Siders couldn’t be more pleased with the collaboration. Not only does the library serve as a centralized setting for the talks, it also houses books, multimedia and research databases for further exploration of art history and Cincinnati itself.

The partnership between the library and the Taft Museum extends beyond the summer series. The library also provides books and DVDs to the Taft Museum to be viewed on site.

“This provides opportunities for museum goers to learn more about the art featured at the Taft exhibitions,” Siders says.

Huth presents the first talk tonight, July 17, at the Main Library’s Reading Garden Lounge.

She will focus on the history of the Baum-Longworth-Sinton-Taft House, an impressive piece of Federal style architecture.

Other topics include: “Open Lawn and Secret Garden: The Gardens of the Taft Museum of Art,” and “Style and Substance: Taft Family Portraits.”

For more information, call 513.369.6919 or go online.


Do Good:

•    Head to the Public Library downtown July 17 to hear “A Federal Mansion for Cincinnati: The History of the Baum-Longworth-Sinton-Taft House.”

•    Explore the library’s online resources.

•    Visit the Taft Museum of Art.

By Deidra Wiley Necco