From a world-renowned art museum to more than 80 works of public art to music, dance and theater, Toledo’s thriving arts and culture scene is one of its most defining features.
For more than 50 years, the city’s commitment to the arts has brought together its entertainment, business, parks and city government sectors and served as a model to the state of Ohio for how to fund and create public art.
In 1977, local arts advocate Susan Reams began work that started Toledo’s One Percent for Art program, which has allocated 1 percent of the city’s capital budget to funding public art.
“I think it’s made our city into an arts city,” Reams says. “Public art is accessible to everyone. It goes through all walks of life.”
When Lucas County renovated the Glass City Center, the city’s downtown convention center, the county commissioners immediately wanted to include public art. They asked the Toledo Arts Commission to be involved in creating an inviting, art-filled space that has since become a flagship for downtown.
The Glass City Center now features a $1.5 million public art collection. Stroll through to enjoy the artworks for yourself, with pieces ranging from the “Ladder of Light” colorful lights in the Monroe Street stairwell to the mixed-media mural “Glass City Jazz – A Global Legacy” celebrating Toledo’s jazz icons.
Keep an eye out while exploring the Glass City; you’ll find that Toledo is full of art around every corner to interact with, appreciate and remember during a visit.
When manufacturer Libbey Glass moved to Toledo in 1888, the city’s art roots soon became intertwined with glass industry, creating the city’s legacy with the intricate medium.
Libbey Glass’ Edward Drummond Libbey, son of the company founder, and his wife, Florence Scott Libbey, helped create the Museum of Art, where many of the couple’s personally collected works of art from around the world are still on display. Mr. and Mrs. Libbey’s permanent endowment to the museum continues to help provide funding that keeps museum admission free to visitors to this day.
The museum’s collections span ancient art, jewelry, European masters, American art and more. The museum loans pieces to other museums around the world and regularly has special exhibitions.
Glass is a huge part of TMA’s collection, and its Glass Pavilion includes a hot shop where demonstrations are given daily. Take a class or visit for a workshop when you visit; the hands-on experiences that are offered at the pavilion honor the museum’s groundbreaking involvement in the studio glass movement in the early 1960s.
“The movement in the 1960s was really critical in giving artists access to a material that’s expensive and difficult to work with outside of a factory,” says Diane Wright, senior curator of glass and contemporary craft.
To keep honing your newfound glassblowing skills, visit one of Toledo’s many glassblowing studios. Huron Street Studios and Firenation Glass Studio and Gallery offer glassmaking experiences where participants can create items ranging from vases to decorative birds.
Iconic public art pieces have become another integral part of the city’s identity. One of the most recognizable is the Glass City River Wall on the Maumee River, visible from the city’s riverwalk and as you’re traveling by on I-75. The mural covers 28 grain silos and currently stands as the largest mural in the country, with vibrant sunflowers and paintings of Native Americans whose ancestors’ tribes lived in the area.
The mural’s artist, Gabe Gault, chose sunflowers because they represent hope, faith and good fortune and historically were grown by Native Americans in the area. He wanted to represent real Native American women and children because their ancestors were an integral part of their tribes’ agricultural practices.
“It’s history again,” Reams says. “It’s not just seeing something pretty. There’s a story to tell, and that story is heard by many people.”
Soon, you’ll be able to take in the mural’s beauty after dark; the Glass City mural will use solar lighting through a partnership between First Solar, Perrysburg Energy and the City of Toledo to become the largest lighted mural in the world.
Blue Lupine is another of the city’s eye-catching pieces. The 32-foot steel structure takes inspiration from its namesake blue wildflower, native to the Oak Openings region, and stands outside the Glass City Center.
To take in beautiful flora while immersing yourself in art, visit the Toledo Botanical Garden. Part of Metroparks Toledo, the garden also embraces and displays an expansive collection of public art throughout its 60-plus acres. Sculptures of classical and African art blend seamlessly throughout the gardens of colorful blooms. At the botanical garden’s Artist Village, a group of brightly colored buildings, visitors can visit and shop studios like Unruly Arts, which features creations from artists of all abilities.
In Toledo, the art scene is forever changing, and Toledo School for the Arts is teaching the foundations to help shape the next generation of artists. Founded in 1999, the public community school offers classes in dance, music, theatre, visual art and writing, in addition to its academic core curriculum. Plan a visit to see the stunning artworks in The Portal, the school’s public gallery space on Adams Street.
Hoping to catch a show after viewing public art? Toledo has no shortage of live performances to enjoy any time of the year. Whether you’re a music aficionado, theater buff or something in between, you’re bound to find something that will delight you.
Toledo’s music scene celebrates the city’s deep roots in jazz. Many jazz legends, including pianist Art Tatum and singer Jon Hendricks, came from Toledo; the city’s jazz clubs also welcomed famous jazz musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.
Catch a show to see how the genre has evolved in the city today. You’ll find talented jazz musicians playing at Lucille’s Jazz Lounge — a downtown public restaurant, bar and venue — and Glass City Center’s Jazz Alley also holds free jazz concerts in the convention center’s first floor corridor.
To branch out and explore other genres, find other concerts across the city. Lunch at Levis, a concert series at Levis Square Park, invites people to spend mid-day enjoying local restaurant and food truck fare while listening to live music on Thursdays June through September. The Village Idiot, located in the adjoining suburb of Maumee, is another favorite venue known for music seven days a week, as well as their neighborhood feel and popular pizza.
For those who want to take the music home, Culture Clash Records’ multi-genre shop has records and 45s by a plethora of artists, as well as throwback cassette tapes and CDs and even turntables. Stop by the shop’s location on Monroe Street, perfect for browsing favorite artists after a downtown brunch.
Toledo’s theaters are also more than worth a visit. Marvel at ballerinas on pointe from the Toledo Ballet — which holds the title for the longest consecutively running production of The Nutcracker in North America. Relax to the melodic notes played by the Toledo Symphony and be astounded by the powerful voices in Broadway or Toledo Opera shows. The city’s historic venues only elevate the performances; the Valentine Theatre features elegant Victorian-themed décor, alongside the city’s largest indoor mural, while The Peristyle evokes the theaters of ancient Greece.
You won’t have to go far to be immersed in Toledo’s diverse culture. Throughout the year, Toledo’s Adams Street Corridor is a lively hub for the LGBTQ+ community, with the neighborhood’s The Love Wall serving as one of its focal points. The mural features bright rainbow colors and the words “Toledo Loves Love.” It’s also a backdrop to annual Pride celebrations and the site of Equality Toledo’s annual Love Fest, a celebration that includes live bands, DJs and drag performers.
Rainbow flags line the street, which is lined with unique eateries, art galleries and funky boutiques. Murals brighten the historic buildings, including the floral storefront of the Ottawa Tavern, a favorite uptown spot that features live music.
Head just east of Toledo to continue exploring the city’s cultural roots. The German-American Festival in Oregon is the area’s oldest and largest ethnic festival. Each August, see everything from German traditional dancing, music and games, as well as authentic German food and multiple beer gardens.
Keep the festival atmosphere going with trips to lively local arts events. For more than 50 years, the Crosby Festival of the Arts has taken place each summer at the Toledo Botanical Garden. This three-day, juried fine art show and sale highlights the handmade works of regional artisans. Admire and purchase art items in multiple media, including wood, glass, jewelry and ceramics.
The Momentum Art & Culture Festival has taken place each September since 2017 on the downtown riverfront and features live music, an arts competition, film showcase and artist market.
The city’s riverfront is also the setting for the Glass City Jazz Fest each August at Glass City Metropark. Listen to many styles of jazz, including unique variations like Latino and fusion.
Mark your calendar to check out these annual events and more!
As you enjoy all that Toledo has to offer, you’ll find a robust arts and culture scene begging to be explored. Countless community members and years of dedication are to thank for the world-class artworks and shows that you’ll take in. Get a taste of life in the Glass City as you delve into the city’s glassblowing history, public art, live performances, cultural staples, annual events and more.
