Andy Warhol's Dream America on Display at the Toledo Art Museum

Andy Warhol's Dream America, is a collection of screenprints from the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation on display at the Toledo Museum of Art. This rare encounter up close with some of Andy Warhol's work is an interesting look at a modern and controversial artist. I recently had the opportunity to enjoy this large and personal experience.

The Toledo Museum of Art is located at 2445 Monroe Street in Toledo, Ohio. This exhibit features more than 100 pieces-many in rarely seen, complete portfolios. These works are presented in a major exhibition and invites you in as soon as you enter in the door. The first images you see are the iconic Campbell's Soup cans. These images, full of the mystic that is Warhol, offer an up close look at the screen printing techniques that Andy put to use.

Around the corner, the long wall contains multiple prints in a variety of colors featuring the icon herself-Marilyn Monroe. This production was put together in 1967 while Mr. Warhol was under the imprint of Factor Editions. Looking at the variety of color and dynamic combinations gives you a sense Andy had a creative, unique mind.

Other images on display include a shoe and pump display and images from the assassination of John F. Kennedy. All of these contribute the running theme here, "Dream America". The haunting self portraits are hiding around every corner as well, offering alternating images of how and what type of person he viewed himself as.

The final display we ventured into was the Cowboys and Indians portfolio. These images, made only a year before his death, take a look to our fascination with both of these types of characters in modern history and pop culture, including everyone from John Wayne to Teddy Roosevelt. His unique look at "Americana" continues to be put to the test here, forcing us to self-reflect on our own views.

The museum, in celebration of the collection, offers many hands-on events. These include using foam to create stamps that depict your favorite products, and then use them and produce your own form of "product" art. Also available will be activities in screen-printing, learning how to design a t-shirt using methods you might have found in Warhol's own studio. Free guides tours are also available on a daily basis. For more information about these and other events scheduled during the year in celebration for this unique display contact the museum.