Wegman Opening Events Draw Record Crowds

The opening week events for the exhibition William Wegman: Funney/Strange, many of which were attended by the artist himself, drew record crowds to the Wexner Center. Wegman called the week’s events a “love-in.” A few of the highlights:

• The Welcome Week Student Party September 18 drew more than 1,200 students during the course of the evening; Wegman was there, talking with students in the galleries.

• The Members’ Opening Celebration September 19 drew about 700 people, with Wegman discussing his work with visitors and signing items. A VIP party was attended by incoming OSU President E. Gordon Gee and Ohio’s First Lady Frances Strickland, among other notables.

• Funney/Strange Family Day on September 23 attracted nearly 1,750—the largest crowd for a Family Day in 10 years.

Other items of note:

• While he was in town, Wegman—most famous for his photographs of Weimaraner dogs—toured the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine with Dean Thomas Rosol. The Wexner Center is partnering with Vet Med on the Dog Day @ the Wex event October 7.

• Columbus City Council presented a resolution in honor of Wegman and the Wexner Center at its September 17 meeting.

• A photo gallery of some of the opening events, as well as feedback from visitors, can be seen at wexarts.org/wexblog.

• Wegman’s audio cell phone tour, featuring Wegman discussing some of the works in the show, can be downloaded from http://www.wexarts.org/learn/audiotour/ or from any cell phone (dial 614-448-5097).

• Our “Post Your Pooch” page (wexarts.org/postyourpooch) now has more than 100 dog pictures posted, submitted by the general public; the winner of the contest will lead the Pooch Parade at Dog Day @ the Wex.

• A video interview with Wexner Center Director Sherri Geldin and William Wegman can be found at http://www.osu.edu/features/2007/wegman/.

• Art on Demand, an electronic kiosk outside the Wexner Center Store, lets visitors order from a selection of Wegman posters, framed or not.

• Five giant, exterior Wegman wallscapes are now on view on buildings around town, with two more to come (check wexarts.org/wexblog for a photo gallery of the press conference unveiling the first one on the Hyatt on Capitol Square).