Current Exhibits -
Traveling Exhibitions
JANUARY 29, 2015 - JANUARY 3, 2016
Broadbent Gallery | Jean Druesedow, Director
American designer Geoffrey Beene (1927–2004) was respected throughout the American fashion industry for the high technical quality of his work and his innovative, modernist designs. Although very fashionable, Mr. Beene’s collections were never trendy and always original.
October 24, 2014 - April 26, 2015 
Alumni Gallery | American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC)
The most compelling work of the American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) is their annual design project, which began in 1996. Each year the distinguished group chooses a design theme for which members create one-of-kind pieces.
July 24, 2014 - July 5, 2015
Stager and Blum Galleries | Sara Hume, Curator
From 1914 until 1918, the world faced war on a scale never before seen. In addition to the loss of millions of lives, this period saw tremendous technological, social and political upheaval. These profound changes led to a transformation in the way women dressed.
JUNE 29, 2012 - JUNE 28, 2015
Traveling Exhibitions
October 2, 2010 - September 4, 2011
Broadbent Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director
Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003)
JANUARY 29, 2015 - JANUARY 3, 2016
Broadbent Gallery | Jean Druesedow, Director
American designer Geoffrey Beene (1927–2004) was respected throughout the American fashion industry for the high technical quality of his work and his innovative, modernist designs. Although very fashionable, Mr. Beene’s collections were never trendy and always original. He took an artist’s approach to turning two-dimensional fabric into a three-dimensional shape for the body and was considered a designer’s designer. Garments from the Museum’s collection will trace his 40-year career.
October 24, 2014 - April 26, 2015
Alumni Gallery | American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC)
The most compelling work of the American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) is their annual design project, which began in 1996. Each year the distinguished group chooses a design theme for which members create one-of-kind pieces. The themes are chosen with considerable care to inspire many meanings, and the projects are meant to stimulate both the artist and the viewer to think beyond common limits and regard the jeweler’s creation beside other works of art as an object of contemplation. The project originally began with the intention of auctioning off the pieces to fund AJDC projects, however it was ultimately decided to keep the pieces with the intent to exhibit them. The resulting archive is spectacular, with works of master craftsmanship in precious and non-precious materials by America’s most influential jewelry designers. All works in the exhibition have been selected from this remarkable archive
July 24, 2014 - July 5, 2015
Stager and Blum Galleries | Sara Hume, Curator
From 1914 until 1918, the world faced war on a scale never before seen. In addition to the loss of millions of lives, this period saw tremendous technological, social and political upheaval. These profound changes led to a transformation in the way women dressed. Increasingly called to work and contribute in numerous ways to the war effort, women made great strides towards equality. The war’s impact reached far beyond men in the trenches to effect women both at home and in the workforce. Women directly served the war effort not just as nurses, but also in roles that had previously been reserved for men including service in the Navy and Marines. Immediately following the war, women in the United States and Canada as well as in several European countries received the right to vote. This exhibition explores how the roles for women changed during and in the immediate aftermath of World War I through a careful look at how they dressed.
While many of women’s inroads into the workforce were quickly reversed once the war ended, the fundamental changes in how women dressed endured. This exhibition looks at how women’s fashions changed in response to these shifting roles. Women adopted shorter skirts and a looser, less confining silhouette. Gone were the cumbersome petticoats and rigid whalebone corsets and in their place were slim, clean lines and serviceable suits.
The exhibition is organized into sections focusing on women at work, at play, and at home. A selection of propaganda posters along with contemporary fashion plates will be displayed alongside actual garments from the period. The nearly 30 ensembles include not just fashionable day and evening wear, but working clothes including a naval uniform and nursing uniform, as well as athletic clothing and bathing suits. A selection of undergarments and accessories such as hats and shoes further illustrates the changes in silhouettes.
The videos from this exhibition can be found on the Kent State University Museum's YouTube playlist.
JUNE 29, 2012 - JUNE 28, 2015
Traveling Exhibitions
October 2, 2010 - September 4, 2011
Broadbent Gallery | Jean L. Druesedow, Director
Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003)
Renowned actress, role model, fashion icon, outspoken, independent and feisty, Katharine Hepburn is listed by the American Film Institute as Hollywood's greatest screen legend. During a career that spanned six decades, Hepburn was nominated 12 times for Academy Awards as Best Actress and won four. Her sense of style influenced countless women, fashion designers, and the informal, elegant approach to American style seen on today's runways.
Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen
In 2008, the Kent State University Museum was honored to receive Katharine Hepburn's personal collection of film, stage and television costumes, as well as clothes worn by her for publicity purposes.
In celebration of the Museum's 25th anniversary year, Hepburn's performance clothes will be displayed in a very special exhibit including: stage costumes from The Philadelphia Story, Without Love and Coco; screen costumes from such classic films as Stage Door, Adam's Rib and Long Day's Journey Into Night; and many of her television movies, such as Love Among the Ruins. In addition, Hepburn's "signature look," an ensemble of tailored beige trousers and linen jackets, will be spotlighted, as will vintage posters, playbills, photos and other Hepburn-related artifacts.
The exhibit will also be supported by special events and programming on Hepburn's career, influence and life. These will take place at the Museum, across the Kent Campus and throughout Northeast Ohio.
This exhibition has received support from the following generous sponsors:
Dillard's
H/L Communications
Nordstrom
Time Warner Cable
WCLV