Strokes of acrylic on canvas. A printed photograph. Threaded tapestry. Animation. Carved stone and wood. Art comes in many different shapes, sizes, and mediums.
Humans have been creating art since the beginning of time to portray life and express dreams and desires. It often serves as a historical record and has the power to transcend cultural and time barriers, helping us understand each other despite different societal ideas, values, religion, and beauty standards.
The desire to create is a natural part of the human experience. If you're interested in discovering all that art has to offer, Sears Imported Autos has compiled a list of museums in the Midwest that will help you learn more about the world around you, and maybe even a little bit about yourself.
Founded in 1879 as a museum and school for the fine arts, the Art Institute of Chicago is now recognized as one of the leading institutions for fine art in the United States and is home to over 300,000 works of art. Bring your walking shoes; the museum has grown from its original building into the beautiful facility we enjoy today, covering almost one million square feet.
Located in the heart of Chicago, one block from Lake Michigan and neighboring Millennium and Maggie Daley Parks, the museum is a must-do for visitors in the area. Be sure to check the calendar for various gallery talks, family art projects, and festivals.
The Cleveland Museum of Art was founded “for the benefit of all the people, forever.” This museum opened in June of 1916 and has been educating the public for one hundred years through its vast collections, ranging from Greek and African works to contemporary and Japanese pieces, among many other collections.
Take advantage of lectures, shows, painting and drawing classes, and film showings. Children will enjoy Art Stories and can create a masterpiece in My Very First Art Class, and everyone will like indulging with Tastings on the Terrace. Be sure to check the calendar for updated listings, and keep in mind that the museum is closed on Mondays.
Detroit isn’t just for automakers. Take in the rich art community at the Detroit Institute of Arts, home of one of the largest and most significant collections in the country, located in midtown. Founded in 1885, the museum includes over 100 galleries, a 1,150-seat auditorium, a large recital hall, and a state-of-the-art conservation laboratory.
You’ll find creative works dating from prehistoric times to today and ranging from European and African to Asian, Oceanic, and Islamic, just to name a few. In addition to an astounding collection, you can also take part in classes, see a film, meet an author, or create your own masterpiece at one of the drop-in workshops. Tuckered out from all of the activity? Take a break and grab a bite at CaféDIA or Kresge Court.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
This renowned museum opened in Kansas City, Missouri in 1933 and houses over 35,000 pieces of art, which over 500,000 people come to see each year. Admission is free for everyone and museum staff seeks to help the community further enjoy and appreciate the impact that art has on our society.
Visitors can discuss art with friends over happy hour, create family masterpieces, or listen to a lecture on a specific topic. Stop and grab a bite at the Rozzelle Court Restaurant, where you can also enjoy live music on Friday evenings. Be sure to stop and take a look around the gift shop before you go.
Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts
It may be one of the newer art museums in our country, but rest assured that you’ll find a rich art experience when you visit the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts in St. Louis. Get ready to see unprecedented collaborations and plenty of art pieces that will challenge the way you think about yourself and the world around you.
And if that isn’t enough, feel free to enjoy live music performances, free yoga sessions, and First Fridays. No matter when you visit, you’ll leave with a greater understanding of how art impacts our daily lives, and you may have even learned new ways to think about your own creativity.
Spending time in an art museum can fuel your creativity and ignite your inner artist, but you have to be able to get there. If you're overdue for an oil change or need other maintenance, let us know.
These are just some of the many museums on the West coast, so find one that speaks to you and get lost amidst the paintings and sculptures. We promise there’s nothing better.
