Virginia offers plenty of attractions that make a weekend getaway easy. Its art museums, in particular, are among some of the best in the region. If you’re looking to experience a bit of art history and culture, be sure to add the following museums to your trip itinerary.
Chrysler Museum of Art
Housing over 30,000 impressive objects that span from ancient Egypt to contemporary times, the Chrysler Museum of Art is a delightful facility featuring special exhibitions and a glass studio in addition to its permanent collection. Located in Norfolk, the museum was founded in 1933 under the name “Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences.” The facility underwent a major expansion and renovation in 2014, resulting in an art museum that’s better than it’s ever been. In fact, the New York Times has described the museum’s collection as one “any museum in the world would kill for.”
Some of the museum’s significant holdings include works by Salvator Rosa, Franz Kline, Veronese, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Karen LaMonte.
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art
The state’s leading contemporary art institution, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Virginia Beach. Commonly abbreviated as Virginia MOCA, the museum was an idea born out of the annual Boardwalk Art Show. MOCA provides a variety of educational programs as well as a studio school, and its goal is to expose visitors to contemporary artists in a way that enhances social discourse.
The special Fleming Gallery even showcases the works of more than 1,000 regional artists, art students, and educators. When you want to view impressive contemporary art and walk away with a newfound appreciation of its social context, MOCA is the museum for you.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA aims to collect, exhibit, preserve, and interpret fine art as well as encourage its study. The museum originally opened in 1936 and has been an esteemed facility in Richmond ever since. VMFA’s permanent collection includes works from Africa, ancient America, Europe, East Asia, and ancient Greece and Rome. There’s even a collection of rare books on display.
The museum is open 365 days a year. Walk-in tours, audio tours, and group tours are available, but general admission is free.
William King Museum of Art
A bit of a drive into southwestern Virginia, the William King Museum of Art is located in Abingdon near the Tennessee border. This out-of-the-way museum boasts impressive galleries that showcase art from regions around the world, both historic and contemporary. The facility itself is a former school built in 1913, and there’s an impressive outdoor sculpture garden on the grounds.
This premier visual arts museum features temporary exhibits in addition to the permanent collection, including a current exhibit of contemporary art from the Southern Appalachian Highlands. One of the museum’s most beloved permanent collections consists of photographs from O. Winston Link from the 1950s.
Whether you plan an extended trip across the state or you’re looking for something closer to home, Virginia offers a variety of art museums suited to your travel style.
Image Via Pixabay
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