The Thinker: A CMA Blog

In 2014, the Cleveland Museum of Art treated The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio in front of museum visitors for the first time, and audiences were able to witness firsthand the skill, planning, research, and technical analysis that go in to a major conservation project. Conservator of Paintings, Dean Yoder, worked in the gallery, cleaning the painting by removing deteriorated varnish layers and old retouching, until the September, when the painting went back into the museum’s conservation laboratory for further restoration. Here, Yoder shares an update on the restoration of the Caravaggio since the fall and what comes next.

On behalf of the Cleveland Museum of Art, we’re thrilled to put the knowledge of the museum’s collection into your hands. CMA is a global leader in cutting-edge museum technologies and on-site interpretive materials. As early adopters, we’ve been offering our visitors a thrilling and joyful experience of art that continues to keep all eyes on Cleveland. Our recent updates to ArtLens app offer enhanced location awareness for savvy iPad, iPhone and Android visitors. Learn more about them on the blog!

Beginning this month, the Cleveland Museum of Art's Performing Arts team is offering a new series of curated music playlists, highlighting a mix of artists and repertoire the museum presents, or has presented, admires, or encourages the world to know about, here on our blog. Take a listen to our 2015 kick-off playlist, and meet us back here in two weeks for another CMA on Spotify soundtrack.

On Monday, January 19, the Cleveland Museum of Art will open its doors for a free daylong celebration of art, music, and film in celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Family-friendly activities, storytelling, and song will fill the galleries to honor Dr. King’s vision of altruism and acceptance. The day will culminate with a special screening of Hate Crimes in the Heartland, a groundbreaking documentary that explores media coverage of hate crimes in America. Following the film, a panel of religious, civic, and activist leaders as well as the film's producer and writer, will discuss local challenges to diversity and share thoughts on service-related responses to hate. We caught up with Rachel Lyon, writer and producer of Hate Crimes in the Heartland before the Cleveland screening to get some insight on why she decided to make this film.