Have you been to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland?
I had been meaning to visit for a while, but I wasn’t sure if I would like contemporary art, and I knew the space was somewhat small, and admission is $9.50. All of those facts can lead to hesitation when deciding where to get your cultural fix — especially given that nearby is a giant, free art museum with an incredible variety of works on display.
I ended up paying a visit to MOCA last summer when my boyfriend happened upon a pair of passes, and I am so glad we went.
MOCA’s space is small, but it is well used. You’ll spend just the amount of time you want to spend in a museum, without getting bored or feeling like you’re missing out.
There are no permanent exhibits at MOCA, so you’ll see new and different artwork three times a year. We went when Keith Mayerson: My American Dream and Constant as The Sun were on display. It’s been several months, and I still think about some of the art I saw that afternoon. Currently on display:
- INDUCTION: Tauba Auerbach and Éliane Radigue
- Simon Denny: The Founder’s Paradox
- Claudia Comte: Zigzags and Diagonals
- Mei-Jia & Ting-Ting & Chih-Fu & Sin-Ji: C. Spencer Yeh
If you’ve been thinking about visiting MOCA, this weekend is actually the perfect opportunity. It’s a Free First Saturday, sponsored by PNC:
On the first Saturday of every month, join other cultural adventurers like you at MOCA to experience the exhibitions and take part in family-friendly workshops and activities. Drop-in adult tours introduce the art and MOCA’s unique architecture. The Open Art Studio (12-3pm) provides guided hands-on making and experimenting for artists of all ages. Come discover!
PLUS, it’s in Uptown Cleveland, which has a lot of food and fun to check out. Make a whole afternoon of it.
MOCA also offers $5 admission after 5 p.m. on Fridays, sponsored by University Hospitals.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. MOCA is at 11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. (You can’t miss the building — it’s very shiny.)
Other upcoming MOCA events:
- Silent Disco: Star Wars Edition, May 4, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $20. Dancing, specialty drinks and “Star Wars.”
- Mother’s Day at MOCA Cleveland, May 13. $25. A staff-guided 45-minute tour, MOCA-mosas and special treats for Mom.
Follow Cheryl Sadler on Twitter @sadlercheryl. Image credit: News-Herald file