March 3, 2010
Supreme Court Expands Art Collection with Loaned Works from Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art today loaned nine works of art to the Supreme Court of Ohio for its public art collection. The two-year loan includes paintings by Emerson Burkhart, Robert Chadeayne, Charles Cursi, Murray Jones, Silas Martin, and the Rev. L.M. Phillips and a wood relief by Elijah Pierce.
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer said he hopes the loan arrangement represents the first of many agreements with Ohio art museums to share portions of their collections. “I commend the Columbus Museum of Art staff and board for their interest in sharing work from the museum’s permanent collection with the Supreme Court and the public who visit the Ohio Judicial Center,” he said. “There are many magnificent examples of art on display throughout the Ohio Judicial Center, and these additional pieces add to the stature of the collection as a whole.”
In November 2008, the Supreme Court established the Commission on the Ohio Judicial Center to assist and advise the Court regarding the preservation of the artistic, architectural and historic integrity and public use of the Ohio Judicial Center. One of the commission’s three committees, the Art Acquisition Committee works to acquire art.
“The Columbus Museum of Art’s Art in Public Spaces has successfully served the community for many years,” said Columbus Museum of Art Executive Director Nannette V. Maciejunes. “The program places important works from the museum’s permanent collection throughout the community in public settings. We are thrilled to partner with the Ohio Judicial Center to make these nine works from renowned American artists accessible to the Center’s staff, visitors, and the public at large.”
The Supreme Court art collection includes more than 160 pieces of contemporary art plus historic maps dating to the mid-17th century. The collection holds works by Ohio artists such as Paul Emory, Kojo Kamau and Jean Koeller; portraits of past Supreme Court justices; and photographs of Ohio’s 88 county courthouses. Much of the art collection was made possible by the generous support of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Foundation and other patrons.
In June 2008, the Supreme Court launched an effort to raise awareness of the art. The Court’s art collection reinforces the original art and architecture of the former 1930s-era Ohio Departments Building that was restored and opened in 2004 as the first building in the state’s history devoted solely to the judicial branch. Some of the original art includes murals, relief sculptures and mosaics depicting scenes and people from Ohio history, important Ohio industries and other subjects.
To schedule a tour of the Ohio Judicial Center, e-mail courttours@sconet.state.oh.us or call 614.387.9223.
View examples of the contemporary artwork.
Media Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.