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Wild Things Are Happening At This Maurice Sendak Exhibit At The Columbus Museum Of Art

The newest exhibition at the Columbus Museum of Art will transport you to your childhood.

Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak is the first major retrospective of the talented Sendak since he passed away in 2012. It’s the largest exhibition of his work and it will be on view until March 5, 2023. A national tour of the exhibition is planned once it leaves Columbus.

Featuring over 150 sketches, paintings, and storyboards from The Maurice Sendak Foundation, the exhibition features some of Sendak’s most famous works, Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Outside Over There.

In addition to Sendak’s works, there are also examples of the art that influenced him as well as some of his art for opera, theatre, film, and television. Wild Things Are Happening is guest curated by Jonathan Weinberg, artist, and Curator of The Maurice Sendak Foundation.

“So many of us grew up with Maurice Sendak’s illustrated books,” says Nannette Maciejunes, CMA executive director and CEO. “This exhibition not only gives you the chance to see original drawings for his beloved books, but to discover Sendak’s range as an artist and the true depth of his creativity.”

Taking a deeper dive into Sendak’s work shows a complexity that, as a kid enjoying his creations, you’d never be able to see. Sendak believed that children could handle more than adults typically give them credit for, and that’s evident in all of his work.

From his whimsical yet mature set design for the iconic Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker, to the themes of unconditional love in his most popular work Where the Wild Things Are, Sendak finds a unique way to give children agency through his work.

On December 3, 2022, the museum will host Wild Things Are Happening Community Day. At this special event, visitors will be able to explore the exhibition, as well as Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®, and the Wonder Room.

Drop in to a Where the Wild Things Are inspired Open Studio, tours, and interactive storytime. The special programming is included in admission and kids under the age of 18 will receive free general and special exhibition admission.

For more info, or to plan your next visit to the Columbus Museum of Art, please visit columbusmuseum.org.