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Wexner Center For the Arts
Rating Details »
Categories: Art Galleries, Performing Arts, Local Flavor
Neighborhood: University District1871 N High St
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-0330
- Hours:
Tue-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for Wexner Center For the Arts
Columbus is quite lucky to have a place like the Wexner Center. I'm really not much of an art person, so galleries aren't exactly my thing. But I have come here on several occasions and have always enjoyed myself. There's so much to see and do here that it's worth a trip, especially if you haven't checked it out yet.
Right now the Andy Warhol exhibit is in full swing, and although I haven't seen it, I've heard nothing but good things about it. It's also pretty neat to know that this is the only showing of this exhibit. Right here in Columbus, one of a kind. The Wexner Center is really a huge part of this city's arts and creativity culture.
The Wexner Center is many things all rolled into one. It is an art gallery, it has stages where you can watch live performances or symposiums and discussions, you can watch movies here, there's a gift shop, there's an art and cartoon research library and even a cafeteria. There's so much to do here.
I used to come here when I was a student if I had some time to kill inbetween classes or just even to walk around the building and take it in. It is a nice piece of architecture. When I'd stop in I'd visit the cafe sometimes and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. It's a nice place to hang around if you're a student, but it's also quite accessible to the general public. What's really nice is that if you have your student ID, it's free to get in most of the exhibits, forums and shows. But if you're not a student, there are other discounts you can get on certain days. Even if you don't, it's not that expensive. You can also become a Wexner Center member if you would frequent the place, which would make admissions free or at least cheaper. I'm not sure how much a membership costs, but I don't think it's cheap.
I think Columbus should be proud to have such a great resource in the city. And it's also great that it's right on campus. I forgot to mention that it's located on High St. near 15th, which is about right in the middle of campus. If you're driving, there is a parking garage right next door, or you could park on the street over on the other side High St. near all the off-campus student housing. But I'd go with the parking garage.
I've been here to listen to some of the talks and see some movies. The rooms are very nice and the chairs are theater-style. It's also neat, because sometimes after an event they have a reception out in the lobby outside the theater room and there are hors d'oeuvres and everyone stands around and chats about the show. Everything that takes place in here seems classy and dignified to me, too. You feel cultured and enlightened whenever you attend a lecture or symposium. I think it's important for students and the public to utilize this resource.
My only complaint is that I don't think that the Wexner Center does enough to draw in the masses. What I mean to say is that for someone like me, who isn't really interested in art, the Wexner Center is not a must-see. It's like everything they advertise isn't appealing to people who aren't familiar with the artists they feature. To be honest, I don't know who a lot of people are that show their work or speak here. In fact, if I hadn't been a curious student on the OSU campus, I probably never would have checked out the Wexner Center for myself. I'm glad I did, but it was pure curiosity that got me in the door. I wish that there was more here that appealed to those of us who don't really want to spend their time in an art gallery. That's why I enjoyed some of the film screenings - especially when they were showing Stanley Kubrick's films! I wish there was more events like that. And maybe their are, but I never really hear about them. It seems that for the past few months all you hear about is the Warhol exhibit, and that's because there are posters of him all over town.
Either way, the Wexner Center is pretty great, and I can't wait to go back and see it again. It's great that Columbus has it.
People love it. People hate it. But that's the beauty of the Wexner Center. If nothing else, it makes for interesting conversation.
The Wexner Center takes as much time to explain as it does to figure out what it's all about... in a nutshell, this is a multi-disciplinary arts facility for film makers, visual artists and performing artists. It's a gallery, a museum, a theatre and a "research laboratory" for the arts located on the campus of The Ohio State University. A laundry list of "who's who" of the dance world, famous film makers and big named artists have found their way to the Wexner since it opened in 1989.
From conception, the building (and the art it exhibits) has been controversial and remains such. I remember the first time saw this odd, skeletal building and wondered what it was all about.
Very simply put, the building was designed with loads of symbolism and philosophy. The Wexner Center is located on the site of the former "armory," a castle-like structure built during the Gothic Revival, hence the modern turrets serving as a nod to the building's past. The white "scaffolding" looks to the future, as an ongoing and evolving project. The lines (grooves) in the sidewalk, leading toward high street, align with a runway at the Columbus airport- representing the incoming and outgoing ideas from around the world. The symbolism goes on and on, but those are the few that stuck in my brain when I researched the building for another project.
I've spent hundreds of hours studying in the Fine Arts Library, housed in the basement of the center, along side the Cartoon Research Library and remain endeared to the building. One of the most memorable exhibits that I've seen were here at the Wexner, including Julie Taymor's (costume and puppet deisgner for the Lion King) amazing puppet displays and more recently, the Warhol.
When I learned the Warhol exhibition was making its only US stop at the Warhol, I wasn't surprised. His diverse art forms required an extremely "flexible" building, capable of handling all sorts of multi-media and various sized paintings. a building as quirky as hte man himself. The Wexner pulled it off brilliantly! I attended the media opening of the Warhol Exhibition and had the privilege of seeing it with only 100 other people. It was interesting to see how they would approach displaying such eclectic stuff. My very first job was at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, right when it first opened, so I had the same curious excitement to see how the Wexner would create a cohesive transition between rooms. It was fabulous and well-done. A bit of a sensory overload too.
That is exactly how I describe the Wexner Center for the Arts (and it's artistic offerings): fabulous, well-done, and with a welcomed bit of a sensory overload. It is my favorite museum in Columbus.
There are no words to express the joy I get from the wexner center.
Part of me feels slightly biased in this review because i've had large scale independent work of mine exhibited there before... but I also feel justified in reviewing this place because I adored it long before I was in it.
The center itself is a work of art. A testament to the deconstructivist movement and Eisenmen's abilities. The whole feeling of the building is amazing, and it deserves a walk around it (or two... or three).
There's an unfinished sense to it, and its a bit like it's inside out. The gallery spaces inside are absolutely spectacular while still being a testament to the architecture. You never really forget that you're inside a work of art.
The Wexner is the crown jewel of Columbus. Every time I have guests who want to 'see columbus' they're taken here. They ooh and aah at the scaffolding grids and at the faux armory brick structure. And once we go inside, they see the truth of the building. The home for art and for education and for beauty.
The exhibits are almost always free unless there's something particularly spectacular going on. Then they maintain a rule of having Thursdays free. The exhibits have so much range and breadth. My favorite that i've seen there was one based in community art. There were pedestals coming out of the wall every foot or so, and a block of colored clay sitting on each pedestal. Tools were available. You were free to do whatever you wanted. What came out of it was absolutely wonderful. The art students are also always hovering around and would do something really gorgeous, and someone would do something interacting with it, or edit it. It was a real inspirational piece, and spoke a lot to what a community can create.
The talks and films are things that should NOT be missed. I suggest signing up for their email list. There's much to be learned and experienced.
Free First Sunday for the Warhol exhibit and all I can do is smile. My sister was impressed, I was impressed, the staff and exhibit were fantastic.
The Wexner is a gem not only for Columbus or Ohio, but for the entire midwest.....actually, for the United States in general. If you've not been, go.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/20/2008
I've had classes here, I've seen films here, I've experienced exhibits here and each time I walk in… Read more »
Wexner is certainly a gem - I agree with all of the other reviews and have always had a great experience here the few times I've visited.
The fact that the Warhol exhibit - its only appearance in the U.S. mind you - is in Columbus should be a point of pride for the city. I live in Dayton, and am always jealous and inspired by what I see in this town. I've seen art and music here and have neer been let down. The collaborative spirit in the art community (along with other businesses such as Jeni's) is fantastic.
And their gift shop/bookstore rocks. This place is the junk - my highest rating. You should want to go to there.
I've been putting off my review of Wexner for a long time simply because I haven't postulated quite how to explain its awesomeness. (Plus I still haven't made it to the Warhol exhibit - I know; I'm going to hell.)
Wexner is a campus' dream gallery. I saw Jeff Koons, William Wegman, and a host of other greats here. The Wex always books the most amazing artists. The layout of the space is nice and offers privacy and functionality. The bookstore downstairs is great too. The bookstore reminds me of an art library with a bunch of cool knick knacks thrown in for good measure. Everything is edgy and trendy.
My first trip to Wexner was actually on a day of personal Columbus gallery hopping. My boyfriend and I had been to just about every museum and private gallery in the city. We walked into Wexner and went straight to the desk just as we'd been trained to do. The attendant said we just got the last two tickets and congratulated us for being so lucky. As we walked away, I elbowed Greg: "You think they're at maximum capacity or something?" We both looked around and not seeing a horde of people, he shrugged. I opened our ticket envelope, ready to hand the stubs over to the person at the gate. That's when I realized we had not bought admittance to the center, rather, we had purchased tickets to the days' live theatre show. It was so like us.
So, we followed the line of people into a tiny theatre to enjoy a funny rendition of How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb played out by a cast of only two actors. There were magic tricks and audience interaction. I liked it. Afterward, we explored the galleries. I was thoroughly impressed. I especially liked the Warhol-esque exhibit of interactive silver pillows. Thus began my love affair with the Wexner Center.
From art films to lectures to concerts to the well designed calendars that are sent to me in the mail, I am utterly head over heels. The Wexner Center can do no wrong.
If you're in Columbus, you must visit this place.
This is a beautiful setting for any exposition but it is definitely well designed to showcast any contemporary art media. Do stop in and visit when in Columbus. It's an experience in itself and it is not to be missed.
The Wexner center is famous for being that odd art space on the Ohio State campus. It looks weird on the outside- part castle, part wireframe time-tunnel- and it looks weird on the inside- galleries of odd shape and long, winding ramps.
I've been to a few exhibits at the Wexner Center and while they are generally impressive, my favorite aspects of the Wexner Center remain the Wexner Store- a glorified gift shop- and the Cartoon Research Library, a huge repository of comics that, if you have the chance to peek into at all, you should jump at the opportunity. It really is phenomenal.
While the Wexner Center is, I can only imagine, woefully under appreciated by the student body of Ohio State, its certainly not a pushover art gallery. It recently booked the only U.S. showing of the Andy Warhol retrospective, Other Voices, Other Rooms. That's not too shabby and should be a point of pride of all of campus- too bad only art students will really care, especially with football frenzy already building.
Still, it's not lost on me. The Wexner Center is probably the single most impressive building on campus, from the concept of the Wexner Center as a museum to the bold architecture surrounding it.
Columbus has CULTURE! You will find it here!
I recently visited The Wexner Center to walk through the Andy Wahol: Other Voices, Other Rooms exhibit. I've never been to an Andy exhibit before. I honestly didn't know too much about him except for the familiar Campbell's Soup can and similar works.
The entire Wexner Center is now devoted to Andy's life, from start to finish. I didn't count, but apparently there are over 700 works including early hand-drawn advertisements, silk screens, lots of tv and film, and his celebrity Polaroid shots. Candid and unique.
This exhibit is more interactive than any I've experienced. There are a couple rooms dedicated to the films and TV episodes of the past. Turns out Andy Warhol had a TV show back in the 80's. I found a star shaped seat, and a pair of headphones in the forest of TV's, and watched an episode featuring Pee-Wee Herman, as well as many others.
Don't forget to stop in the gift shop. Again, the Wex is fully dedicated to Andy right now and this is a great opportunity to bring a little bit home with you.
Not impressed but if you're stuck in Columbus.... what other option do you have? Visit if you must...
The Wexner Center is one of those places that makes Columbus more attractive as a city to live in or visit. From exhibitions that focus on the artists behind large scale movie and stage productions to concerts that bring established as well as lesser known but aesthetically satisfying performers to central Ohio, the Wexner is a great asset. Plus, Columbus scored a real coup by getting such a comprehensive installation of work by that weirdo Warhol.
A friend and i saw Lambchop, a band that you might somewhat inappropriately call indie rock, at the Wex last night. Great musicians, a very mature sense of restraint, space, and synergism. The vocalist for he band remarked that the performance space felt like a seminar hall. There were long tables, comfortable conference room type chairs, and a very limited selection of non-alcoholic refreshments. But the sound was damn good, and the crowd was reverent, and the whole experience was perfect for a relaxed Sunday night.
The Wex keeps coming up with substantial offerings for the consumption of the music and art minded masses in Columbus. Keep an eye on the local weeklies or the web to see what's coming up there. I know i've missed a few shows that I wish i would've caught.
We are so lucky to have this place.
Inside the Wexner Center are inter sting and often unusual pieces of art. Not to mention one of the best gift shops ever. Inside Wexner is great and a must see, but the outside is equally as cool.
My favorite part of the Wexner center is the pool of glass. Behind the main entrance is a lowered "pool" filled with millions dare I say zillions pieces of glass. The glass looks like sparkling sand and is piled into eye popping heaps. This site is always monitored so if you go at night do not be scared of the voice coming out of the speaker that lets you know someone is watching.
Very close to the glass pool is and echo wall. Stand at one side and whisper and you can hear it from the other end. This is great when people forget about it and you can eavesdrop on their conversations.
Also by the glass pool is a garden with another echo spot. Surrounded by a semi circle bench is a round spot on the ground. If you stand on it and talk it echoes eerily around you. Spooky.
Another garden on the campus side of the Wex features careful coiffed trees that are elevated. If you walk around them it gives yo a feeling of being in a maze. Equally great foliage wise are the tall weed like plants on the High street side.
Everybody favorite is probably the walkways lined by pipe like structure. Changing perspective from the start to the finish its art you can walk through. It also seems like a great place to skateboard.
Definitely go inside the Wexner, especially with the new Warhol exhibit. But take the time to walk around the whole building for the full experience.
Hard to review, because things are always changing there, but the Wex does a great job putting together really interesting programs. They recently drew a large crowd with an outdoor screening of Keaton's The General, for example, and their upcoming events list U.S. premieres of touring theatre and dance works, a rock show by Times New Viking and the Ponys, and a retrospective of Latino cinema. I only allow myself to visit the gift shop if I can spend at least an hour, because it is as obsessively well-curated as the rest of the space. This is a world class institution, and every Columbusite should take advantage!
Always happenin' not only are the exhibits well-selected, but they put on a number of other events in the screening room and black box. Well worth a visit.
Great art exhibits, great films, great indie music bookings. A treasure!
I am eternally indebted to the Wexner. When I was a student at Ohio State, studying art after defecting from the English Dept., I used to go to the W.C. almost daily. They featured an exhibit at the time (early 90's) of Phil Guston's Poem Pictures, which, to my knowledge, was the first time those works had been showed anywhere. I would walk out of my studio at the school, stroll through the W.C. and head to Bernie's Bagels for lunch, and then head back through the W.C. and take a 2nd look before going back to do some more work on my own artwork. This experience shaped me permanently and made me more comfortable about the decision I was making to be an artist (a decision that at the time caused me much trepidation). I could go on about the programming or the other exhibitions which left an imprint...and there were many...but for a young artist the Wexner Center provides an opportunity to look at contemporary art unlike any other in the state of Ohio.
I was surprised to see a show of early Frank Stella paintings recently since I associate the Wexner with much more contemporary stuff. I enjoyed seeing videos made by kids there. Honestly, what makes me really want to go back is the store. A great selection of art and design related books, housewares, gifts, etc. that would be hard to beat anywhere, but in Columbus is unheard of.
