My first job, when I was in high school was assisting Helen Henley when she taught children’s art classes at the Museum. I also took classes from Mrs. Henley. This was during 1959-1960. I am still an artist today and have wonderful memories of my time at the Museum.
-Anne Fulton Brunner

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My fondest memory (and there are many good ones) is the thrill of being invited to participate in the Adaptations exhibit, and the challenge of creation, in speaking in painterly terms, to a cherished, old quilt. The Museum created such a special atmosphere to this entire project, it was truly an honor to be included.
-Nancy Stewart Matin

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After almost 50 years away from pottery, the two Debbies (Debbie Ferree, former Museum Educator, and Debbie Tucker) rekindled my interest. The Raku parties at Ferree's were memorable. Many of the things going on at the museum are inspirational to young and old. Congratulations!
-Robert Bernstein, DDS

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I had a showing of some paintings at Studio M at the museum in May of 2005. It was such a wonderful and inspiring time...I was inspired to further my explorations into greater bodies of work - essential in the creative process. The Museum staff, especially Alex Nicholis, was so helpful and encouraging. The staff at the Museum is 100% committed to bringing breadth and expansion to the local art community. I look forward to my possible next show sometime in the next year. Everyone needs something "else", something tangible to inspire and lift the spirit to a greater horizon - that which ART affords... Many thanks for a good memory and more to come!
-Valerie Marek, artist

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In the late 40s, I lived on Oak Street near the park, I remember just like it was yesterday going to the big Museum, and there was one picture in the room where children could draw and there was a big red elephant.

The thing I liked most was this real strong telescope in one room by a window towards the street. It really amazed me. Then there was this contraption where you would put a slide in it with several pictures on it, and they looked so close and so real to me.
-Beverly Lighty Amos

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Don't think this was my favorite memory...but when asked, it is my most memorable: The museum was holding a show for Akron artists P.R. Miller...in my attendance at the opening, another patron, who was a friend of P.R.'s, told me that he loved when people touch and feel his art, as to become one with them and enjoy how real they are. I took his advice and touched a sculpture that was in the middle of the gallery....and BANG!!!! The head fell off, creating quite a noise and drawing the attention of everyone there to look at me....probably my most embarrassing moment. Needless to say...I'll never touch again.
-Christian Harwell

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I can remember winning a drawing contest when I was in 5th grade at Emerson School and the first prize - art classes at the Massillon Museum (when it was part of the library). I have to tell you how excited I was and every Saturday morning I couldn't wait to see what new creative project I'd be making. Would you believe that after all these years, I still have my little glazed clay bowl that I made at the museum? Taking art classes also gave me the opportunity to view the exhibits and artwork in the museum.
-Tina McCallum

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When I was a very small child my mom would take me to art classes at the Massillon Museum when it was attached to the library. I took several painting and ceramics classes while there. I will never forget the excitement I felt every Saturday morning when my mom would drop me off after she parked on Lincoln Way and I ran to sit at a newspaper-covered table, grabbed a paint shirt, and waited to hear what we were going to create today. The smell of the room always smelled like tempera paint.

I remember treasuring every ceramic slab box I ever made, and I couldn't wait until the kiln was unloaded and we got to see our work finally finished. My mother would end the day with a visit to the children's section of the library for a story by the big fireplace.

Those memories and those activities became such a part of me, and part of my decision to become an art teacher and a professional artist. This past summer for the first time since the 1970's I took a ceramics class there at the Massillon Museum again. While so much has changed, it was so nice to see that those opportunities are still there...and you kept the smell too!

Thanks Massillon Museum for all of the memories and the "sparks" of inspiration.
-Christopher Triner

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Some of my fondest memories of growing up in Massillon take me back to Saturday mornings at the museum. Even though I wasn't the artist that Susie Ross was, I thoroughly enjoyed exploring my creative talents through their various class offerings. Saturday morning at the Museum was so much fun (actually as much fun as Friday night at the stadium). I almost never went to the library without a visit to the museum to see Oscar hanging in the hallway or to take advantage of an opportunity to learn more about Massillon's heritage.

The first thing I did when we moved back to Massillon was to become a member of its Woman's Board to be able to once again become involved with the museum, and as of late, I have been very excited to become a member of the board.

As you all are aware, our family has a very special interest in the second floor display over there to the right as you get off the elevator... my father was so excited that he was able to donate his life's work (over 50 years) and love, his circus, to the Museum so that not just the community of Massillon, but people from all over the state and country could get a better appreciation for this colorful and exciting form of entertainment. The Museum became the focus of his retirement ...even to this day, when I visit him, I tell him I just came from the museum and that the room was full of children enjoying his circus and it brings a smile to his face and tears to his eyes.

I think we are very fortunate to have such a talented young staff who is sharing a vision to provide us with something that is rare but very special for a community of our size. I have been amazed at the range of cultural experiences they have brought to our museum to compliment our extensive collection of local and regional artistic treasures. We are also fortunate to have a board that seems to share this vision and has been working hard to keep the dream alive.
-Bobbie Mulbach