Five Top Art and Cultural Museums in Hampton Roads, Virginia

Five Top Art and Cultural Museums in Hampton Roads, Virginia

Art provides us with the means to look into a society's soul. We can learn a great deal about a culture (past or present) by their art. Art museums have cultivated a reputation as being "stuffy" and "stiff." A visit to a museum should not feel like you're trespassing on hallowed ground. An art museum should inspire us and stir our emotions and thoughts. These art museums and galleries in Hampton Roads, Virginia allow us to do just that.

Chrysler Museum of Art: Norfolk, VA

The Chrysler Museum of Art (located at 245 West Olney Road) was founded in 1939 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. The museum expanded greatly in 1971 when avid art collector and Chrysler heir Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. donated a significant portion of his art collection to the city of Norfolk. The museum houses nearly 40,000 objects, (60 galleries spanning 5,000 years of paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, and pottery) making it one of the largest and comprehensive museums in the United States. The Chrysler Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and admission is free. The museum is "kid-friendly" and offers a variety of programs geared to families (particularly families with young children). The building and the view of the Elizabeth River are works of art themselves.

Peninsula Fine Arts Center: Newport News, VA

The Peninsula Fine Arts Center (located at 101 Museum Drive in Newport News, VA) features the best work of local and regional artists. Various styles are featured from painting to photography to sculpture and mixed media, giving the museum a more contemporary feel. The Hands On For Kids gallery is ideal for families with young children. The gallery features hands on learning activities and provides an opportunity for young artists to express their creativity with "Paint Days" every Tuesday and Thursday (10:00 am - 4:00 pm). The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is $7.50 for adults ($6.00 for seniors, active duty military, teachers, and students), $4.00 for children aged 6-12 (admission is free for children under six). On Tuesday evenings, the museum is open from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm; admission is free. The third Thursday of each month features Arts Café with live music (admission is $7.50 for adults). After exploring the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, you may want to take your family to the Mariners Museum, which is next door.

Contemporary Art Center of Virginia: Virginia Beach, VA

The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia (located at 2200 Parks Avenue in Virginia Beach, VA) is best known as the organizer of the Boardwalk Art Show (one of the largest and oldest art shows on the East coast) held each summer along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The primary focus of the museum is modern art, featuring nationally renowned artists and the best works of local and state artists. The museum sponsors one of the most extensive art programs in the Hampton Roads area, ranging from pre-K to adult. The museum is open Tuesday-Fridays (10:00 am - 5:00 pm), Saturday (10:00 am - 4:00 pm), and Sunday (12:00 pm - 4:00 pm). (The museum is closed on Mondays). Admission is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors/students/active duty military, and $3.00 for children 4-14.

Hampton University Museum: Hampton, VA

The Hampton University Museum (established in 1868) is the oldest African-American museum in the United States and one of the oldest museums in Virginia. In addition to housing some of the oldest representations of African-American art in the United States (including the Banjo Lesson by Henry O. Tanner), the museum features an extensive collection of Native American and Asia-Pacific art. The museum's primary goal is to use art as a way of promoting cultural diversity and ethnic pride. The museum is located on the campus of Hampton University in the Huntington Building. From Interstate 64, take exit 267/Hampton University and follow the museum signs. The museum is open Monday-Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm and Saturdays 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. (Museum is closed on Sundays and major holidays). Admission is free

Pamunkey Indian Museum: King William County, VA

The Pamunkey Indian Museum (located on 175 Kay Landing Road in King William, VA) functions not only as an art museum, but a history museum as well. The museum features the artwork (past and present) of the Pamunkey Indians and tells their story from the Ice Age to the present day. Divided into four exhibits, the museum uses the artwork and tools to explain the history of the Pamunkey tribe and how they have maintained their cultural identity. The museum is open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sundays. Admission is $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for children, and $1.75 for seniors.

Art provides us a way of understanding the interactions and the life of a society. These are just a few of the art museums in Hampton Roads. Hampton Roads is a region steeped in history and culture. These museums offer the best when it comes to viewing the past, present, and future. Enjoy your visit!

Sources

Chrysler Museum of Art. http://www.chrysler.org/default.asp

Hampton University Museum. http://museum.hamptonu.edu/

Peninsula Fine Arts Center. http://www.pfac-va.org/

Pamunkey Indian Tribe Museum. http://www.pamunkey.net/museum.html#HOURS