Blair Museum acquires 1846 lithophane

6/28/2007
A lithophane of Herakles inside a porcelain model of the Parthenon was a gift to the Blair Museum.
A lithophane of Herakles inside a porcelain model of the Parthenon was a gift to the Blair Museum.

An 1847 Austrian lithophane inside a porcelain model of the Parthenon was recently acquired by the Blair Museum of Lithophanes in Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr. Looking through the model s open doors provides a view of the lithophane, a scene in which Herakles is slaying the centaur Nessos. It was a gift from Posy Huebner, cousin of museum founder Laurel Blair. Lithophanes are three-dimensional porcelain pictures, usually plaques, that show their beauty when lit from behind. Most date to the 1800s. The museum, which has the largest lithophane collection in the world, is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through September. Information: 419-245-1356 and www.lithophanemuseum.org.

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PRIZM Creative Community offers beginning sculpture classes taught by Leo Price of Waterville. A daytime session will be 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 11, 18, and 25 in Room 109 at Perrysburg High School on Roachton Road in Perrysburg. An evening session will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 10, 17, and 24 in the Schaller Memorial Building, 130 West Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. Cost: $20 per session ($10 per session for Prizm members). Sculpting tools will be available for an additional $15. Registration deadline is July 5. Information: 419-872-8730 or e-mail prizm@bex.net.

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The Akron Art Museum will officially open its 64,000-square-foot addition July 17. A free sneak preview for the public, for which timed tickets are required, will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 15. The new structure s daring design, all planes and glass, is by the Viennese architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. and more than triples the museum s space. It is connected to the museum s 1899-vintage Italian Renaissance downtown building that was originally a post office. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday-Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. There are admission fees. Information: 330-376-9185 and www.akronartmuseum.