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In a lot of these blogs we talk about great destinations in terms of natural wonders, or super fun activities for the whole family. Today I thought we could talk about a couple places where you can visit some truly fine art. Art is in the eye of the beholder, true, but the two places we’re going to talk about today are both off the beaten path yet at the forefront of Contemporary and Classic art. So if you’re in the mood for something a little different, join me on a quick trip to two amazing art museums.
First we’ll start with the museum that’s closest to Texas! The Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, AR was founded by Alice Walton, the daughter of Walmart’s founder Sam Walton. It opened on 11/11/11 and is credited as being the first major museum of art to open in the United States since the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened on the National Mall in Washington, DC back in 1974. Crystal Bridges is becoming famous for it’s partnership and collaboration with other major museums; for example it has a 4 year collaboration deal with the Louvre in Paris, bringing pieces of art to Arkansas that you would otherwise have to fly to France to see. Aside from visiting pieces from all over the world, Crystal Bridges boast a major permanent collection running the gamut from Colonial to Contemporary and all of them works by American artists ranging from Andy Warhol to Norman Rockwell.
The second museum we’ll be visiting today is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art located in the far northwest Massachusetts town of North Adams, MA. The building the museum is housed in was a factory built in the 1880’s that built everything from textiles and cabinetry to atomic bomb parts and parts for space exploration. Ever since it’s founding in 1999 it has been developed into one of the largest collections of Contemporary art in the US. But art isn’t the only thing featured within it’s walls, it is also a performance space and hosts music festivals, provides a home for composers to create, as well as a venue for visual arts.
If you are fortunate enough to visit either of these museums, drop us a line in the comment section below and tell us about it! And remember to hit our website before you hit the road for any parts or accessories you may need down the trail!