Shattered Glass: The Women Who Elevated American Art, tells the story of more than 80 women artists during an era where women were not allowed to exhibit art. Learn about this new exhibit on view at the Canton Museum of Art through March 1, 2026. 

The exhibit of more than 100 pieces includes collections from museums from around the country and those within the Canton Museum of Art. Throughout the 6-year planning process, stories of the artists emerged, such as Claude Hirst. Claude, actually named Claudine, changed her name to a male name so she could paint and exhibit her watercolor paintings. Her watercolor titled “An Interesting Book,” hangs in the main gallery. It was this piece that inspired the exhibit.

Founded in 1935 as the Little Civic Art Gallery at the Canton Public Library, the Canton Museum of Art didn’t change names until 1995 when it was well established at its current location at the Cultural Center for the Arts in downtown Canton. Before the museum found its current home in 1971, it spent about 20 years at the Frank E. Chase Mansion.

The Canton Museum of Art is an American art museum that features American art with a focus on works on paper, emphasizing watercolors as well as drawings, oil paints and contemporary ceramics as they relate to the history of American art.

Curating about 14 major exhibits per year, art is drawn from museum collections from around the world and thoughtfully selected to tell stories for visitors to learn about when visiting the museum.

Produced by Kelly Krabill.