Must-See Art Museums in Vermont You Need to Explore
In the picturesque Lake Champlain Valley, Vermont's art scene blooms with a variety of museums that cater to diverse tastes. From the expansive Shelburne Museum to the T.W. Wood Gallery, each institution offers a unique experience that blends local culture, renowned collections, and contemporary art.
The Shelburne Museum, founded in 1947 by Electra Havemeyer Webb, is an art museum like no other. Its Contemporary Hall and Nuquist Gallery host rotating exhibitions, while its collection includes post-World War II WPA artworks by artists such as Joseph Stella, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, and Jacob Lawrence. The gallery's diverse collection spans over 150,000 works, ranging from Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, and Degas to American folk art, quilts, textiles, and decorative arts.
The Fleming Museum of Art, situated on the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, has been a cornerstone of the state's cultural landscape since its establishment in 1931. Its collection includes approximately 42 paintings by Thomas Waterman Wood, a prominent 19th-century painter. One of Wood's notable paintings, "Southern Cornfield" (1861), depicts African American subjects with dignity and individuality.
Bennington Museum, located in Bennington, is known for housing the largest public collection of Grandma Moses paintings. It uniquely blends art with local history, including exhibits on the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington and historic Vermont artifacts like 19th-century Bennington Pottery. The museum also hosts the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show, the longest-running outdoor sculpture exhibition in southern Vermont.
The Tilting at Windmills Gallery in Manchester stands out for its diverse range of high-quality paintings and sculptures displayed in an inviting setting. Notable pieces include a full-size horse sculpture called "Contender" and imaginative sculptures like "Lethal Weapons" and "Wrong Choice."
The T.W. Wood Gallery, Vermont's oldest art museum, is named after Montpelier native Thomas Waterman Wood. Founded in 1895, the gallery houses an extensive collection of over 250 Works Progress Administration (WPA) artworks. Its permanent collection includes over 1,200 works, featuring artists like Worthington Whittredge and Maurits Frederik de Haas.
The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is a dynamic non-collecting contemporary art museum located in the heart of downtown Brattleboro. Its rotating exhibitions showcase the works of modern Vermont artists.
The Middlebury College Museum of Art serves as both an educational resource and a cultural hub for the region, with a diverse collection spanning antiquities to contemporary art. The museum's Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building houses the museum's European paintings collection, featuring works by Rembrandt, Manet, Monet, Degas, and Cassatt.
Each of these venues is unique due to its combination of local cultural focus, specific renowned collections, or distinctive contemporary art displays, making Vermont's art museums rich and varied in their offerings. Whether you're a art enthusiast or a casual visitor, Vermont's museums offer a captivating journey through the world of art.
[1] Bennington Museum: https://www.benningtonmuseum.org/ [2] Tilting at Windmills Gallery: https://tiltingatwindmillsgallery.com/ [3] Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium: https://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/ [4] Norman Rockwell Museum: https://www.normanrockwellmuseum.org/ [4] Dollhouse and Toy Museum of Vermont: https://www.dollhouseandtoymuseum.com/ [5] Fiddlehead at Four Corners: https://fiddleheadartspace.org/
- When contemplating a home-and-garden makeover, one might find inspiration at the Tilting at Windmills Gallery, where imaginative sculptures such as "Lethal Weapons" and "Wrong Choice" are showcased.
- Post-dinner strolls can be complemented by an enriching visit to Bennington Museum, known for its extensive collection of Grandma Moses paintings, making travel through Vermont's picturesque Lake Champlain Valley a cultural and artistic journey.
