Saying it's better than it used to be is not exactly a ringing endorsement...but at least they do seem to have slightly more student-focused programming now. The fundamental problem is that this has always been a museum nobody asked for in a location that would be better used for something more useful to the OSU community in a poorly planned building named after a person who is probably not a point of pride for the school and whose contribution cannot possibly have covered even a fraction of what it's cost to keep the place up over the years. Other than that, it's great. Seriously, though - if you're visiting columbus and want to see an art museum, the downtown one is the way to go, or their short north outpost if you're into contemporary art. If you're visiting Ohio State and want to see exhibits about what they do there, there are nice ones in the library and scattered across the various department buildings. I don't know what the future holds for this place...but they better figure something out before they go the way of Mean Mr. Mustard's. read more

Wexner Center For the Arts - A poster commemorating the worst movie of all time still hangs in the theater 20+ years after its showing. - Cinema Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

We enjoyed our first visit to "The Wex." We had a bit of trouble finding the front entrance, as it is tucked away in the middle of campus and not very well marked. We ended up parking in the Campus South parking garage, and it was just a short walk over. Entrance was free. The current exhibits of modern art were abstract, and I found some of them a little challenging to understand. Nonetheless, I am glad this center exists and I do appreciate art in all its forms. Staff was very friendly and they have a cool gift shop with items you will likely not find anywhere else. read more

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This is a really cool art gallery. It's free for OSU students. The exhibitions seem to mostly be modern art. Or at least that's all I've seen when I come. It's not a huge place, but it's worth your time. Give yourself maybe an hour to soak the whole thing in. The space itself is really open. They have security standing around as well. Probably because someone had used a gun to shoot and ruin some of the art work a few years ago. They have a coat check as well. I think because of safety. And I totally understand that. There is also a movie theatre in here for specific showings and a little cafe that is ever so popular, Heirloom. Anyway, thankful for free art galleries! It's a fun thing to do on campus. read more

Hmmm, not many Wexner photos on Yelp and most, including mine, are of the building exterior. Go inside and discover why. Taking photos inside is not only strictly verboten but the Wexner posts a DO NOT list -- more akin to the ten commandments -- repeatedly on the long ramp to the galleries. I would have taken a photo of the list but different guards all paused in confusion before telling me no. You can't even take a photo of a white wall. Seriously. I wonder what state secrets this place is hiding. The two exhibitions now on display are unremarkable but that's no reason to stay away. Don't let my negative comments dissuade you from visiting and seeing something wonderful in the future. For me, however, concluding one of the most unwelcoming visitor experiences I've ever encountered in any gallery or museum, I'll stick with the countless other museums in Ohio and across the United States that are much more refreshing in their attitudes. One cautionary note: the Seattle Art Museum was one of the last major art museums in the country to forbid the use of cameras in their space. They relented because of the ubiquitous cell phone camera. A guard there told me that one person even hid a camera in a teddy bear. Go ahead, Wexner Center, keep fighting this lonely battle and continue to treat your college audience like high school students. Oh, no gum chewing, please. read more

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People love it. People hate it. But that's the beauty of the Wexner Center. If nothing else, it makes for interesting conversation. The Wexner Center takes as much time to explain as it does to figure out what it's all about... in a nutshell, this is a multi-disciplinary arts facility for film makers, visual artists and performing artists. It's a gallery, a museum, a theatre and a "research laboratory" for the arts located on the campus of The Ohio State University. A laundry list of "who's who" of the dance world, famous film makers and big named artists have found their way to the Wexner since it opened in 1989. From conception, the building (and the art it exhibits) has been controversial and remains such. I remember the first time saw this odd, skeletal building and wondered what it was all about. Very simply put, the building was designed with loads of symbolism and philosophy. The Wexner Center is located on the site of the former "armory," a castle-like structure built during the Gothic Revival, hence the modern turrets serving as a nod to the building's past. The white "scaffolding" looks to the future, as an ongoing and evolving project. The lines (grooves) in the sidewalk, leading toward high street, align with a runway at the Columbus airport- representing the incoming and outgoing ideas from around the world. The symbolism goes on and on, but those are the few that stuck in my brain when I researched the building for another project. I've spent hundreds of hours studying in the Fine Arts Library, housed in the basement of the center, along side the Cartoon Research Library and remain endeared to the building. One of the most memorable exhibits that I've seen were here at the Wexner, including Julie Taymor's (costume and puppet deisgner for the Lion King) amazing puppet displays and more recently, the Warhol. When I learned the Warhol exhibition was making its only US stop at the Warhol, I wasn't surprised. His diverse art forms required an extremely "flexible" building, capable of handling all sorts of multi-media and various sized paintings. a building as quirky as hte man himself. The Wexner pulled it off brilliantly! I attended the media opening of the Warhol Exhibition and had the privilege of seeing it with only 100 other people. It was interesting to see how they would approach displaying such eclectic stuff. My very first job was at the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, right when it first opened, so I had the same curious excitement to see how the Wexner would create a cohesive transition between rooms. It was fabulous and well-done. A bit of a sensory overload too. That is exactly how I describe the Wexner Center for the Arts (and it's artistic offerings): fabulous, well-done, and with a welcomed bit of a sensory overload. It is my favorite museum in Columbus. read more

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This is the ONE place you can come and have the pleasure of a variety of cultural, relevant, educational and entertaining experiences. Sometimes Fun, really fun, too. Twyla Tharp, Philip Glass, Savion Glover, Spike Lee, Kevin Smith, Martin Scorsese, Youssou N'Dour, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and so many other national/international prominent and premiere guests in their respective fields have performed, spoken or been featured at WexArts. Events also include movies, children activities, panel discussions, Parties and lots more. The $75 annual membership is worth the costs, but you don't have to be a member to enjoy the offerings, but it could prove beneficial. One of the benefits use to be free parking 2x year, but like all good things, that came to an end. PARKING IS WHAT IS NOT GOOD about coming to the Wex on the campus of OSU. To avoid the high priced parking garages, you either have to do the meters or drive around campus til you find a free spot. Both options can be a drag. Uber, Walk, bus or bike is the best way to get there. Seeing Meshell Ndegeocello (baaad ass bassist and vocalist) and the Todd Oldham fashion exhibit in one month, remind me of the many things I like about the Wex: Intimate performance/exhibit spaces, diverse and interesting crowds, very reasonable cost and critically acclaimed artists. Unique opportunities are found here for everyone, big and small. read more

Wexner Center For the Arts - Todd Oldham fashion exhibit - Cinema Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I always have mixed feelings about the Wexner center. On one hand, it's a true gem in the City of Columbus. Most days, I would be proud to take out-of-towners here and show them what private citizens give to the art community. As a theatre person, their line-up of visiting acts is usually stunning. I am at most of the performances during the year and am impressed who they get to play here (Richard Maxwell, SITI Company, etc...). I have been to the Wexner a lot for various galleries (Andy Warhol was truly an amazing transformation of the space). There is no lack of "cool" here from the outside scaffolding design to the choice of interior materials and stunning graphic design and marketing. The Wex is set up to be pretentious, designed by an architect who wanted to make the journey to the art part of the experience, hence the ridiculously long walk to the black box space, where most of their performances are held. I won't go into my spiel about how art should be accessible by many, open-minded, and community-building (I don't have to, I co-founded my arts company on these principals because they are so important to me), but I will say that the Wexner Center is rarely any of these things. But I get why - galleries, in general, with their stark white walls and invisible barriers between the audience and the art - are created to set the art apart and make it special. It is not lost on me that the Wex is an art gallery of the highest caliber and in every sense of the word. My reservations enter when I think about the less-than-warm-welcome I receive almost every time I visit. They have an army of black-clad volunteers and employees guiding you down the paths to where you're going, making you feel as if they are expecting you to pull a can of spray paint out of your coat and just go nuts on the white walls and pergo floors. No warm smiles, no hello's, no hospitality. Just suspicion. Also, having received my MA in Theatre at OSU, I had occasion to make connections there, and was startled when I received, almost at every turn, the response that they were not connected to the Ohio State University or any of the art departments in any way. So, don't let their location ON the OSU campus fool you. They are their own entity. The Wex has done some awesome things for this city, and with their Pages program, has really shown that they are willing to reach out to the community as a whole. But I suspect that is due to a few incredible individuals employed there rather than the institution encouraging this attitude. I will keep going back, mainly because I am addicted to incredible theatre, but every time I make that walk down the elitist hallway amongst suspicious glares I know I will be reminded that I just might not measure up. read more

Wexner Center For the Arts - Cinema Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

The Wex is a great feature for Columbus art. The location on OSU's Columbus campus makes for easy access if you are in the university area, and they offer free entry for students all the time, and free entry for the public on Thursday evenings and the first Sunday of the month. This is most definitely not the largest art museum you will encounter, but they have made creative use of the space that they do have. There are outside exhibits, including one by Maya Lin - designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC, a changing exhibit in the front of the side that faces towards the Oval, and a rooftop garden. There is no real permanent exhibition here, so they feature a lot of changing exhibits and a wide variety of performances, making it pretty likely that you're bound to find something you like at some point - be sure to check the website to see what's going on. The current exhibit, Annie Leibovitz's photos, is really neat and seems likely to appeal to even those who are more interested in popular culture than traditional photography, as she took many photos for Rolling Stone. Previous exhibits have included Andy Warhol and William Wegman (the guy with the Weimaraners). The Wex is also involved with the community, offering changing cafes, often featuring local foods, inside, and a farmer's market during the summer. They also feature Wex "Drive-In" outdoor movies during the summer, and a variety of events for students, faculty, and staff on campus. Certainly worth a visit! read more

I am happy that Ohio State has something like the Wexner Center. It's underappreciated by many students and by people in Columbus. The place has hosted exhibits for some of the most important art figures. It also has an auditorium where both established and rising talent have performed. The center needs to be visited by anyone interested about the university. I have a hard time reviewing this since the exhibits will always change. There's always something new there every season. Among the most memorable events have been the Annie Leibovitz and Andy Warhol exhibits. As for the building itself, the exterior was inspired by the old Armory which sat at the site. The white rods outside are imitations of scaffolding, which represents the changes in art. It's certainly quite unique looking. The architecture has it's critics, but that's one of the beautiful things about art. There always will be mixed opinions. Another part of the Center is the Box, which shows some very experimental films. The Mershon Auditorium has featured solme great bands. I wish I had visited more when I was a student. There were some great exhibits or shows I had the pleasure of seeing. Admission is not too bad. It's free for students and $8 for the public. There is a membership option, and you get 10% off the Heirloom Cafe. I have been in a few times. It's a great place for seeing great art and learning about the history of art at Ohio State. You can get in free as a student and it's not that expensive for the public so this is a value. read more

Wexner Center For the Arts - The Outside - Cinema Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Museum Day! http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/ Having worked 3rd shift the night before and not waking up until 3pm, I didn't show up to Wexner until after 5pm. Parking is available at the campus garage right next door. It's normally just a few dollars, but since it was a game day, I didn't have to pay. The museum itself was clean and polished, as it should be, with 1-2 security officers in each room. It was actually smaller than I anticipated, as it was probably only 5-6 rooms total. You should be able to see everything within an hour, if not an hour and a half. Because of this, they only had a single artist on exhibit (Mark Bradford), which was slightly disappointing. However, I was told that they're bringing in a new exhibit late October, which will be up early November (something about sculptures). Still, I enjoyed my time there, and the black room with the music was definitely my favorite. Tips: 1. Parking in garage next door (1759 N High St) 2. Free admission for students, Thursdays 4-8pm, and first Sundays of the month; otherwise $5 3. Thursday and Saturday walk-in tours 4. Self-guided cell phone tours read more

I recently visited The Wexner Center to walk through the Andy Wahol: Other Voices, Other Rooms exhibit. I've never been to an Andy exhibit before. I honestly didn't know too much about him except for the familiar Campbell's Soup can and similar works. The entire Wexner Center is now devoted to Andy's life, from start to finish. I didn't count, but apparently there are over 700 works including early hand-drawn advertisements, silk screens, lots of tv and film, and his celebrity Polaroid shots. Candid and unique. This exhibit is more interactive than any I've experienced. There are a couple rooms dedicated to the films and TV episodes of the past. Turns out Andy Warhol had a TV show back in the 80's. I found a star shaped seat, and a pair of headphones in the forest of TV's, and watched an episode featuring Pee-Wee Herman, as well as many others. Don't forget to stop in the gift shop. Again, the Wex is fully dedicated to Andy right now and this is a great opportunity to bring a little bit home with you. read more

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I've been putting off my review of Wexner for a long time simply because I haven't postulated quite how to explain its awesomeness. (Plus I still haven't made it to the Warhol exhibit - I know; I'm going to hell.) Wexner is a campus' dream gallery. I saw Jeff Koons, William Wegman, and a host of other greats here. The Wex always books the most amazing artists. The layout of the space is nice and offers privacy and functionality. The bookstore downstairs is great too. The bookstore reminds me of an art library with a bunch of cool knick knacks thrown in for good measure. Everything is edgy and trendy. My first trip to Wexner was actually on a day of personal Columbus gallery hopping. My boyfriend and I had been to just about every museum and private gallery in the city. We walked into Wexner and went straight to the desk just as we'd been trained to do. The attendant said we just got the last two tickets and congratulated us for being so lucky. As we walked away, I elbowed Greg: "You think they're at maximum capacity or something?" We both looked around and not seeing a horde of people, he shrugged. I opened our ticket envelope, ready to hand the stubs over to the person at the gate. That's when I realized we had not bought admittance to the center, rather, we had purchased tickets to the days' live theatre show. It was so like us. So, we followed the line of people into a tiny theatre to enjoy a funny rendition of How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb played out by a cast of only two actors. There were magic tricks and audience interaction. I liked it. Afterward, we explored the galleries. I was thoroughly impressed. I especially liked the Warhol-esque exhibit of interactive silver pillows. Thus began my love affair with the Wexner Center. From art films to lectures to concerts to the well designed calendars that are sent to me in the mail, I am utterly head over heels. The Wexner Center can do no wrong. If you're in Columbus, you must visit this place. read more

A cool stop if you have some free time and are in the OSU campus area. We stopped by this time on Columbus' Big Explore Day (free COTA rides all day, and free admission to some of the educational/interactive places around downtown). This is a neat museum. Only big enough to hold one exhibit at a time, that makes it educational without being overwhelming to the senses. The gift shop is small, but houses several books and some jewelry and ceramics. The gal manning the customer service desk was very approachable and had a good attitude. The security here are sticklers for the rules, so pay attention and make sure your standing "at least 3 feet back from any installment," read more

If being followed by the Stasi is your thing ... For crying out loud! I've never been followed so closely by security guards. Or are they docents? I could literally feel them breathing down my neck. I'm in my late 50s and I'm pretty sure I don't look like the type that would do anything they should worry about. It was sooo annoying. It made me want to F with them by staring them down and putting my nose as close as I could to a painting--without touching it. The art? The stuff I liked was few and far between. Pictures and notes about a specific political struggle in a specific city is not art--it's journalism. read more

While the world thinks of Ohio State, and by extension Columbus, as inhabited by Miller Light drunk, football obsessed, mind numbed Neanderthals--the truth is something else. As for the city, the arts actually bring in four times as much money as Buckeye football. As for the university, witness the renown Wexner Center, situated in the PoMo armory standing guard at the 15th avenue gate. The Wex holds the university's art collection but doesn't permanently display it. It is not a museum, but a gallery. I came here Saturday night to see an emotionally challenging play, " The Event," after tOSU student and fellow Yelper Maya F was kind enough to buy me a ticket with her student ID. The Play was staged on the Marishon Auditorium stage, a large theatre I've experienced many times. Even more impressive is The Box. More intimate, this space offers edgy, experimental, and artsy films that will blow your mind, fill your soul, leave you with an experience you can't find at the usual mainstream theaters. As with the play, often creators will offer an Q&A after the event which can be very interesting. The Wex will offer limited exhibits of almost every genra and discipline. Exhibits of tangle arts come from all over the world. The galleries are white, clean, minimal, modernistic space. The Wex has certainly enhanced my experience with art--from my first year on campus to this day. I recommend it for all. Outside the building is a slopping walkway framed by white scaffolding arraying down. It has a special, if not goofy, memory to me. My brother, friends and I would spend the evening at Maxwells or Papa Joes south campus, and then run amuck on campus early in the morning. It was our habit to come here and run down this hall like drinking goofball yelling, letting the visual of the line of scaffolding blow by-- it was a fantastic optical illusion. We'd scream and laugh. Art can work itself in many ways! I guess some stereotypes have a bit of truth. We were Bud Light drunken, football obsess, art loving, Neanderthals! This is a jewel of Columbus and Ohio State! read more

The Wex is a pretty solid place to go if you're bored and don't want to spend a lot of money. Admission is free for students and I don't rememeber the price for community members, but it isn't much. They usually have at least 3 exhibits from different artists there, so you're bound to find one that you like. During the warmer months, they host a lot of free outdoor movies. The gift shop is pretty sweet too, if you're looking for something unique. My only beef with the Wex is I've had a few run ins with the security there. Trust me on this one, do not under any circumstances take out your cell phone while you are in an exhibit. Some creepy dude in a black suit will appear out of nowhere and sternly tell you that phones and cameras are not allowed. Then he'll stalk you for the rest of the time you're there and generally make things uncomfortable. Other than that, though, it's a fun place to go. Parking is in the garage next door, but it costs- so if you live in the area and could walk/bike/bus it, that might be a good idea. read more

Free First Sunday for the Warhol exhibit and all I can do is smile. My sister was impressed, I was impressed, the staff and exhibit were fantastic. The Wexner is a gem not only for Columbus or Ohio, but for the entire midwest.....actually, for the United States in general. If you've not been, go. read more

[Full disclosure: I volunteer here during certain events throughout the year.] This has become one of my favorite places in town. Even when there's not an exhibit, it's a great space to waste time in or meet up with friends for a show or movie. I'm not sure how they do it but they always bring in amazing artwork and fabulous performers. Plus, it's affordable. Admission to the gallery is cheap, the movies are 8 bucks (or less), and the performances are always affordable. If you're going to visit one (non-sporting) place on campus, make it this place! read more

The Wexner center is famous for being that odd art space on the Ohio State campus. It looks weird on the outside- part castle, part wireframe time-tunnel- and it looks weird on the inside- galleries of odd shape and long, winding ramps. I've been to a few exhibits at the Wexner Center and while they are generally impressive, my favorite aspects of the Wexner Center remain the Wexner Store- a glorified gift shop- and the Cartoon Research Library, a huge repository of comics that, if you have the chance to peek into at all, you should jump at the opportunity. It really is phenomenal. While the Wexner Center is, I can only imagine, woefully under appreciated by the student body of Ohio State, its certainly not a pushover art gallery. It recently booked the only U.S. showing of the Andy Warhol retrospective, Other Voices, Other Rooms. That's not too shabby and should be a point of pride of all of campus- too bad only art students will really care, especially with football frenzy already building. Still, it's not lost on me. The Wexner Center is probably the single most impressive building on campus, from the concept of the Wexner Center as a museum to the bold architecture surrounding it. read more

I visited The Wex for the first time with my family for the fashion exhibit, Todd Oldham: All of Everything. I was a tad nervous, as it was my children's first visit to a museum (outside of COSI and The Works). We went during one of the Super Sundays, since they have lots of hands-on activities. My kids are 3 and 6 and were both so into the exhibit and activities. It was a very detailed, whimsical exhibit, so we pointed out shapes, animals, etc and talked about the outfits we liked. The roaming docents were so knowledgeable and helpful, as was the security guard at the top level of the exhibit. The guards at the lower level all looked like they'd be ready to pounce on us at any moment; luckily the kids were good! Even walk-in between the various rooms was so cool. The kids especially loved the "secret" stairwells. After the exhibit, we made a duct tape messenger bag. It was a tad more challenging than my my husband and I anticipated, but the bags were a big hit. Did I mention it was all free! Yay for free Sundays! Definitely putting the monthly Super Sunday on the calendar! read more

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One of the country's greatest contemporary arts complexes is located in Columbus, Ohio. It's true. Many times there are exhibits and films which are showcased in New York, San Francisco, Montreal and...Columbus, OH. This is why. Clean, modern lines, well-designed galleries which flow together yet create their own unique space. Great film and video series, often featuring rare and restored pieces. Avant-garde and up-and-coming musical acts. Daniel Clowes recently did a retrospective in conjunction with the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum. I could go on: children's Zoom! film series, Family Fun weekends and Next@Wex for the indie a-go-go. There is truly something for everyone. And, it's free on Thursdays. So, go. read more

First off, full disclosure: I've performed at the Wexner Center a few times. I've also performed at many other arts museums and galleries throughout the world, and visited dozens more. The Wex easily stands up to them. I'm just moving back to Columbus from San Francisco, and while the Wex is no SFMOMA (cripes, what IS?) it's easily the best source of world-class modern art, film, and music for central Ohio. er, I guess I'm basing this on before I moved away 8 years ago. It's still great, right? Of course it is! Now I'll get to do my grocery shopping RIGHT THERE on free Thursdays! Only $5 on other days! (a STEAL in comparison to anywhere else comparable) VIVA LA WEX! read more

MEh. It's the sorry excuse for thinking that Ohio State is some great mecca for artists. It is great......to visit once. As a former Ohio State student it was great to see an art exhibit come and go for free but, I think the Andy Whorhal exhibit has been there for like a YEAR. It is probably also one of the only modern art buildings in the area (+1 star) making the area go from brick and concrete to actually something vibrant, but other than that I thought it was a little shallow. They have some concerts that come through (Wilco!!) and some concept shows, but it is overshadowed by the lack of modern building on the campus. If you want to see some great art exhibits around the city by some extremely passionate, hands down in your face, breath and live art artists go to the gallery hop the first saturday of the month during the summer. read more

My favorite afternoon cafe on The Ohio State University campus is located in the bottom floor of the Wexner Center. This cafe features a menu of light sandwiches, soups, and salads that are well accompanied by espresso drinks from a La Marzocco espresso machine. The employees are well-trained and service-oriented compared to other coffee houses on campus. I ordered a "Cubana," which is always a slight test for the knowledge of a barrista. Without further explanation as to what a "Cubano" is, the barrista pulled a very good double shot with a balanced amount of sugar in the raw for the sweetness. While I'm uncertain where this cafe gets their coffee beans from, I assume Staufs Coffee supplies here. The coffee was great. The design and atmosphere of the building was neat, spacious, and inspiring. Many large tables create an ideal study environment, catalyzed by 5-bars of OSU wifi strength. My only wish is that this cafe was open past 4pm, nevertheless, it's perfect for an afternoon coffee or inspiring study session. read more

The Wexner Center makes Columbus a better place. It brings to our locale world class events in world class facilities. Every show I've seen has well presented, well supervised, and well attended, Maybe I didn't like it, but that's what art is all about; maybe you will, maybe you won't. Regardless you learn something. Even the artists comment to the audience about how great the Wex is. It's a good thing it is here in Columbus and not someplace else. Our slice of NYC entertainment and art. read more

My bf brought me here when we were visiting Columbus for a trip. He said that this was one of his favorite museums, and I agree that it's really great. The museum is small and cozy but a lot of fun. We were looking at all the sculptures and trying to make up things that they resembled. I also really liked the movie they were showing, it's so calming. I think we sat there watching it for 10+ minutes and I could definitely sit through the whole thing. Also, admission is free with student ID (although they don't really check for tickets anyways). read more

Love the Wexner. Attendant who showed us to our seat for Grace Jones' docu was not pleasant. But she wont deter me from coming back. Any event they have is always great! Looking forward to upcoming shows! read more

Wexner is certainly a gem - I agree with all of the other reviews and have always had a great experience here the few times I've visited. The fact that the Warhol exhibit - its only appearance in the U.S. mind you - is in Columbus should be a point of pride for the city. I live in Dayton, and am always jealous and inspired by what I see in this town. I've seen art and music here and have neer been let down. The collaborative spirit in the art community (along with other businesses such as Jeni's) is fantastic. And their gift shop/bookstore rocks. This place is the junk - my highest rating. You should want to go to there. read more

The best arts venue in Columbus. Wexner Center always dares to be different by bringing central Ohio the best in cutting edge art, performing arts, music and film time after time year after year. read more

When someone asks about must-see places on Ohio State's campus, most people would respond, "The Oval!" or "The 'Shoe!" or maybe even "The new Union!" I'd instantly say, "The Wex." Covered in what looks like a white scaffolding shell, the Wexner Center for the Arts sits in the space of the old Armory and gym and is one of the preeminent examples of deconstructionist architecture in the United States. Featuring up and coming modern artists and the established, world-renowned ones (Warhol, Koons, etc.) their featured works are always top-notch. The Wexner Center also hosts excellent concerts, parties, dance and theater events, and meet-and-greets in various spaces. It has a killer movie theater that not only gets movies not shown elsewhere in the city but oftentimes US premieres. All of these, of course, are staffed by the lovely Wexner Center Usher Corps. *clears throat* Not to toot my own horn, but if you're an incoming student that loves art, join the Usher Corps for the most fulfilling extracurricular involvement of your Buckeye career. Regular events to check out: the annual student party with free t-shirts, Jeni's ice cream, and pizza, "drive-in" films on the Wex/Sullivant Plaza during the summer, Secret Cinema, concerts in the Performance Space, Gen Wex parties, Finally, check out the amazing gift store. Locally printed t-shirts, Columbus-constructed messenger bags, coffee-table books, small press magazines, independent music, and gorgeous designer jewelry and housewares render it totally worth swinging by. read more

Despite never visiting for the first 26 years of my existence, I've been to the Wex (a bland, boring less-than-3-hour drive from Indianapolis) three times during the last year, each definitely worthy of a mini-roadtrip. In the performance space, I've seen NEU! (or; Michael Rother & guests) and Olivia Tremor Control; both times with impeccable sound. When you're paying a ticketmaster fee, facility fee, and driving 3 hours...sound is all I really care about, and it's just a great sounding, large-ish room. There are seats above in an abbreviated balcony, but I've never been upstairs. Due to the room's rectangular shape, they ought to provide a great sightline. Also came here for a Spring opening & video installation of Pippilotti Rist's work, as well as a Hans Bellmer / Louise Bourgeois exhibition. Rist gave a (presentation-enhanced) talk in the auditorium that was set up as a conversation with two other artists (neither of the video persuasion). Only complaint here was the slightly awkward "conversational format." Rist was fascinating enough on her own...no need to ply & interrupt her flow with often-boring questions. The installation & exhibition were both quite nice, I liked the way the Bellmer/Bourgeois works were arranged so that you worked your way in-between the very sculptural pieces down the narrow galleries. Only complaint here would be the gallery closing within an hour post-presentation. Still, it was free, and free = good. Now, if only I could drag Columbus about 90 miles closer to Indianapolis...I'd be here twice as often. read more

I want to begin by saying my one star rating has nothing to do with the art. The art was great but I had a really hard time enjoying it. Immediately upon walking in, were treated like we weren't welcome. We were followed so closely by a security guard I could reach out and touch him. We passed into a room with yet another guard and were yelled at for pointing at a piece of art. We have been to several art museums and have never been treated like this. We both enjoy art and respect the displays and felt like we were treated like little kids who shouldn't be there. It was an extremely uncomfortable experience and we ran through the rooms just so we could get the heck out. This was my first experience visiting the Wexner Arts Center and I will never be back. There are plenty of art museums out there that don't make me feel so horribly uncomfortable. read more

Yummy. Artfully arranged (how apropos... for the food and, well, the artwork). And a nicely-priced. What more can a gal ask for? Well, now that you ask...I wouldn't turn away some highfalutin artsy vernacular and a dash of fresh hummus. On a recent visit to Columbus, my sister treated me to what she claimed to be the best museum café this side of the... Bud Light Factory? Anywho, we ordered the hummus plate, Chai Tea Latte (or something along those lines), and the Handmade Belgium Waffle. The hummus plate was a beaut! We helped ourselves to a generous scoop of hummus, a lightly dressed salad featuring plump cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, and a mixed green, and a few slices of warm, fluffy pita bread. The perfectly buttery and crunchy Belgium waffle was generously blanketed in warm Nutella, lightly sweetened berries, and a few gusts of powdered sugar. Turns out, a little bit 'o sweet and a little bit 'o salty was just the perfect snack energizer for a lovely afternoon of social polish 101. I particularly enjoyed the postmodernist critique of the clash between industrialization versus technological advancement in juxtaposition to underdeveloped economic class markers in Joel Morrison's existential pieces. Just kidding. But I did think the tank-sized glove balloon was AWESOME. read more

Unique and great place! Loved walking through for the textiles exhibit. It truly was exhilarating and something different to do. The curators are really sweet and not afraid to walk you through. Loved everything i saw, even the architecture of the building in general! read more

Nice location and was able to grab a Starbucks and parking spot across the street. Visited for an event where the author would autograph books after. I was a bit disappointed to find there were no books for sale in the lobby. Tip: the Barnes in Noble is a quick job down the road! Parking is also timed so watch the meters. read more

The Wexner Center is one of those places that makes Columbus more attractive as a city to live in or visit. From exhibitions that focus on the artists behind large scale movie and stage productions to concerts that bring established as well as lesser known but aesthetically satisfying performers to central Ohio, the Wexner is a great asset. Plus, Columbus scored a real coup by getting such a comprehensive installation of work by that weirdo Warhol. A friend and i saw Lambchop, a band that you might somewhat inappropriately call indie rock, at the Wex last night. Great musicians, a very mature sense of restraint, space, and synergism. The vocalist for he band remarked that the performance space felt like a seminar hall. There were long tables, comfortable conference room type chairs, and a very limited selection of non-alcoholic refreshments. But the sound was damn good, and the crowd was reverent, and the whole experience was perfect for a relaxed Sunday night. The Wex keeps coming up with substantial offerings for the consumption of the music and art minded masses in Columbus. Keep an eye on the local weeklies or the web to see what's coming up there. I know i've missed a few shows that I wish i would've caught. read more

Gorgeous galleries, and the layout is continuously intriguing!! Martin Wong's work was the last on view that utterly blew me away. I loved the giant paintings that seemed so simple from far away, but up close, portrayed a particular place in a specific era with a completely unique pattern! I love how some of the works showcased a time set apart in the past, yet with a timeless sense and a focus on issues that are still so poignant in society and modern discussions, in the most loving and accepting way. And I remember that the post-impressionist show I saw before that was also life-changing. Not to mention the awesome films shown at the Wex, and the plays! I saw a rendition of Sweeney Todd at Mershon with my mother and we both laughed and cried! Thank you guys for bringing so much art to the people in all forms! read more

Always happenin' not only are the exhibits well-selected, but they put on a number of other events in the screening room and black box. Well worth a visit. read more

Hard to review, because things are always changing there, but the Wex does a great job putting together really interesting programs. They recently drew a large crowd with an outdoor screening of Keaton's The General, for example, and their upcoming events list U.S. premieres of touring theatre and dance works, a rock show by Times New Viking and the Ponys, and a retrospective of Latino cinema. I only allow myself to visit the gift shop if I can spend at least an hour, because it is as obsessively well-curated as the rest of the space. This is a world class institution, and every Columbusite should take advantage! read more

There are no words to express the joy I get from the wexner center. Part of me feels slightly biased in this review because i've had large scale independent work of mine exhibited there before... but I also feel justified in reviewing this place because I adored it long before I was in it. The center itself is a work of art. A testament to the deconstructivist movement and Eisenmen's abilities. The whole feeling of the building is amazing, and it deserves a walk around it (or two... or three). There's an unfinished sense to it, and its a bit like it's inside out. The gallery spaces inside are absolutely spectacular while still being a testament to the architecture. You never really forget that you're inside a work of art. The Wexner is the crown jewel of Columbus. Every time I have guests who want to 'see columbus' they're taken here. They ooh and aah at the scaffolding grids and at the faux armory brick structure. And once we go inside, they see the truth of the building. The home for art and for education and for beauty. The exhibits are almost always free unless there's something particularly spectacular going on. Then they maintain a rule of having Thursdays free. The exhibits have so much range and breadth. My favorite that i've seen there was one based in community art. There were pedestals coming out of the wall every foot or so, and a block of colored clay sitting on each pedestal. Tools were available. You were free to do whatever you wanted. What came out of it was absolutely wonderful. The art students are also always hovering around and would do something really gorgeous, and someone would do something interacting with it, or edit it. It was a real inspirational piece, and spoke a lot to what a community can create. The talks and films are things that should NOT be missed. I suggest signing up for their email list. There's much to be learned and experienced. read more