Cincinnati: The City That Has It All

Cincinnati, OH has it all, literally. When asked, “what is your favorite thing about Cincinnati?” everyone has an immediate response. Sports fans will affectionately wax poetry about the Bengals and the Reds. Craft beer aficionados will direct you to one of the many delicious breweries in the area. History and architecture buffs will regale you with some of the key points of the Over the Rhine district. The zoo, the museums, athletic events, the casino… there’s something for everyone in the ‘Nati. So once you have visited us at Kings Ford, you will have a whole day of exploration ahead of you. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to visit while you are here!

What’s Your Sign? Exploring The American Sign Museum

Since the beginning of commerce, intrepid business owners have advertised their wares and services with signs. Over the years, as the public’s visual tastes have changed, marketing and advertising have become art forms all of their own, tapping into the conscious and subconscious of humanity while attempting to be bigger, brighter, and bolder than the “other guy.”

The American Sign Museum devotes over 20,000 square feet of indoor space to more than 100 years of American sign making, focusing on the development of technology and design within the realm of commercial signs and the art of sign making. Located at 1330 Monmouth Avenue, the museum features hundreds of signs and sign-related memorabilia and is home to Neonworks of Cincinnati, an on-site, full-time neon sign-making workshop. Guided or audio tours through your phone will point out various curiosities and amazing stories regarding the contributions of various signs to art and history and vice versa.

Founded by life-long sign enthusiast Tod Swormstedt, the American Sign Museum was born from generations of knowledge about the sign industry. Mr. Swormstedt was a staff member of “Signs of the Times” magazine for 26 years, following in the footsteps of his family members. Inspired by a self-titled “mid-life crisis,” he began sourcing, collecting, and preserving signs to demonstrate the high level of artistic effort and craftsmanship involved with these seemingly ubiquitous advertisements.

When you visit, prepare to see more than “some signs in a room.” Instead, you’ll gain a new perspective on how much effort goes into those signs that have become just another part of the American landscape. From the intricate craftsmanship to the artistic design, visitors will find themselves looking at old signs in a new way.

A Hike Up Pyramid Hill

If strolling through a museum isn’t your preferred method of art consumption, you’re not alone. For those who are into exploring the hills, meadows, and lakes of Southern Ohio, via miles of hiking trails and lush gardens, there’s Pyramid Hill.

Situated on over 300 acres of some of the most beautiful terrain in the area, Pyramid Sculpture Park and Museum began its journey as a small parcel of land purchased by founder Harry T. Wilks in 1987. As time passed, Mr. Wilks purchased adjacent property, which he decided to preserve for future generations. This led him to create roads, trails, and gardens, which became the nonprofit sculpture park that exists in the space now.

Pyramid Hill’s mission is “Bringing People to Art in Nature,” as such, over 30,000 people visit the spot each year. While hiking and wandering the sculpture spaces and Museum Gallery are recommended, you can also rent an Art Cart to allow you to zip across 300 acres however you wish. Located at 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road in Hamilton, the park is just outside of Cincinnati proper, making it a fantastic day trip for anyone in the area.

Highlights of Pyramid Hill include the 10,000 square-foot Ancient Sculpture Museum, which opened in 2007. Inside, you’ll find sculptures dating back to 1550 BC, from Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian, and ancient Syrian cultures. Outside, nearly 100 sculptures can be found throughout the grounds, along with a truly unique 1820’s pioneer home. During the holiday season, visitors flock to view the Holiday Lights on the Hill, while the annual Art Fair brings artists from all corners of the country. This spot is truly something to behold.

A Vision of Faith: Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

Across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Covington, KY, you can find solace and inspiration in an entirely different type of art at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. The cathedral began construction in 1894, under the watchful eye of famed ecclesiastical artist and architect Leon Coquard. Construction took place in phases, as money had to be raised in subscriptions to pay for the gorgeous art that adorns the interior, along with breathtaking stained glass windows.

While the exterior models the infamous Notre Dame de Paris, the interior was inspired by the Abbey Church of St. Denis in Paris. Inside the Indiana limestone walls, you’ll find 82 hand-poured stained glass windows from Munich, Germany. The largest window measures 24 feet wide by 67 feet tall and is one of the most enormous existing stained glass windows in the world. The rose windows are 26 feet in diameter, while the Stations of the Cross are adorned with Italian mosaics, which measure 3 feet by 6 feet and contain at least 70,000 pieces each. Outside, look up to find 32 gargoyles and 26 chimeras, along with statuary and carvings completed by the famed American sculptor, Clement Barnhorn.

From its breathtaking Gothic architecture with soaring arches to the use of luxurious materials such as solid Italian marble and hand-carved Appalachian white oak, the Cathedral stands as a testament to the art and artistry solemnly created to honor and celebrate religious tradition.

Seeing Things Differently Through ArtWorks

In Cincinnati, art is EVERYWHERE, thanks to the award-winning nonprofit ArtWorks. The ArtWorks mission is to “transform people and places through investments in creativity,” and through the program’s efforts, the city has been transformed into an expressive art gallery.

Since its inception in 1996, ArtWorks has completed more than 12,500 public and private art projects, incorporating the talents of over 3,600 artistic youth ages 14-21 and 3,200 creative professionals. Some of the most celebrated public works include the 190 permanent outdoor murals that can be found all around the greater Cincinnati area.

The inspiration came from a similar mural program in Philadelphia. Former Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory was fascinated by the over 3,000 murals in urban Pennsylvania. In 2007, it challenged ArtWorks to spread creativity and opportunity with a mural in each of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. Currently, there are 147 murals in 42 neighborhoods, and seven nearby cities, and the project continues with gusto!

You can experience all of the murals through an interactive tour with ArtWorks guides, which typically takes about 90 minutes, due to the span of artwork involved. You can also download a map to where murals are located, and discover them through your own creative path. The ArtWorks website explains each mural in detail, including the inspiration for the subject matter, as well as the artistry involved in creating these massive public paintings. The tour is fun, engaging, and informative!

Visit Cincinnati!

From large neon signs to hiking through sculptures, and from flying buttresses to soaring murals, the art scene in Cincinnati has plenty to offer outside traditional museums and galleries. Whether you draw inspiration from bright flashing lights or solemn holy scenes, there’s a corner of the city that will spark your form of creativity. You may need to hike to get there or stumble upon it quite by accident, but there’s an aesthetic waiting for you in Cincinnati.