Take an Art Walk: Six Art-Forward Destinations in the South
By Kellie Walton
From contemporary to traditional, murals to sculptures, abstract to minimalist, making time to view and appreciate art whether near your hometown or during a vacation is an excellent way to expand your horizons. All across the south, there are plenty of options from world-class galleries to art-forward cities ready to enrich. Browse ancient works at an Atlanta institution, stroll through a city covered in more than 100 murals, or book a stay at an art-forward hotel in the heart of the Holy City.
Explore these six destinations with art at the forefront.
The Vendue
The city of Charleston is a work of art all its own: pastel painted homes, palm tree-lined cobbled streets, history and charm on every block. One boutique property stands out from the rest thanks to its impressive art collection. The Vendue Hotel is situated in the heart of Charleston’s French Quarter and historic district inside a renovated 18th-century warehouse. As soon as you enter the lobby, art takes center stage with original pieces and eclectic installations at every turn. Known as “Charleston’s Art Hotel,” there are more than 300 pieces of original artwork throughout public spaces and guest rooms, including the dedicated “Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art Gallery,” which features rotating exhibits.
The hotel may be best known for its art, but the rooftop bar is one of the city’s best kept secrets. Located just a block from the iconic Waterfront Park, rooftop guests are treated to views of the harbor on one end and the steeple-filled Charleston skyline on the other. Grab a cocktail and settle in for unparalleled views.
www.thevendue.com/
The Frist Art Museum
Nashville may be best known for its roots in country music, but Broadway is also home to a world-class art museum, The Frist. First opening in 2001 inside an art deco building that was once the city’s main post office, the American Alliance of Museums-accredited center nowpresents high-quality exhibitions (up to 15 rotating at a time) with some of the world’s most prestigious collections. You’ll want to visit time and again, as the exhibitions rotate periodically. Currently, visitors can see Elise Kendrick’s Salon Noir, an homage to the beauty of African American women by a local artist; Beatrix Potter’s Drawn to Nature, a unique look inside children’s books; and Guitar Town: Picturing Performance Today, a music-focused photography exhibit.
One of the Frist’s most popular destinations is the Martin ArtQuest (MAQ) Gallery, an innovative space where visitors of all ages can explore through hands-on learning. The Frist Art Museum is currently open five days a week (Thursday–Monday).
fristartmuseum.org/
New Orleans, Louisiana
The entire city of New Orleans is a destination for art aficionados thanks to its vibrant and diverse art scene with stunning architecture to match. Throughout the city stands no shortage of galleries, museums, street art, and cultural events combining to create an experience rooted in all aspects of the arts.
Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) in City Park, a premier art museum with more than 40,000 works spanning time periods and cultures. Or, visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art that focuses solely on the American South. For a more modern experience, the Contemporary Arts Center goes beyond art alone, with rotating exhibitions plus performances and educational programs.
Stroll Julia Street in the Warehouse District, which is best known for its collection of art galleries. The self-proclaimed Gallery Row has dozens of galleries lining the street that regularly hosts festivals and special events. When the weather is nice, head to the Frenchmen Art Market in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, an open-air market where local artisans and artists line the streets to showcase their work.
www.neworleans.com/
Richmond, Virginia
The eastern Virginia city of Richmond is best known for its murals. The Richmond Mural Project is a dedicated effort that’s seeking to bring more than 100 murals to the city, all from renowned artists from around the world (which was achieved within the first five years alone!). The goal of the mural project was to bring “Feet on the Street” to help boost the city’s tourism, though the art experiences don’t end in the streets alone.
Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the most prominent art institutions in the south, which houses art from names like Monet, Picasso, and Kehinde Wiley, spanning more than 6,000 years of history. A more modern experience can be found at Quirk Gallery, a contemporary gallery with paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry from artists both locally and brought in from around the country.
If you’re visiting Richmond (which, might we add, is one of America’s oldest major cities), try to time it for the first Friday of each month. The First Friday Art Walk invites the galleries and studios to open their doors to the public with local artists available for discussion.
www.visitrichmondva.com/
Ringling Museum of Art
The circus is an art form all its own, and entertainment tycoon John Ringling (of the Ringling Bros. Circus), together with his wife, Mable, are honored through a dedicated arts center in Sarasota, Florida. The Ringling Museum of Art is a renowned art museum, part of a much larger complex called The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The museum houses a wide variety of art from paintings to sculptures and photography, all spanning generations and cultures. The museum has a collection of European art nodding to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, a collection of works from American artists, and artifacts and exhibitions celebrating Asian culture.
Explore the entirety of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art campus, which also houses the historic Ca' d'Zan Mansion, the former home of John and Mable Ringling, the Circus Museum dedicated to the history of the circus, the Historic Asolo Theater, and the Bayfront Gardens. Be sure to check the museum’s website before your visit to plan around special education programs, workshops, and special events for a more immersive experience.
There are a number of dining concepts onsite to help you stay fueled for a long day of exploring, from the Ringling Grillroom to the quick-service Mable’s Coffee and Tea and Ringling Concessions, plus visitors are welcome to pack their own picnic.
www.ringling.org/
High Museum of Art
Georgia’s capital city of Atlanta has plenty of immersive art and cultural experiences, but the High Museum of Art tops the list as a must-visit. One of the leading art museums in America, the High Museum of Art houses art from America, Europe, and Africa, featuring works by Monet, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Norman Rockwell, Thomas Sully, Romare Bearden, and many more. There are more than 19,000 works of art onsite, including an extensive anthology of 19th- and 20th-century American fine and decorative arts. While the collection is curated from around the globe, the High does spotlight artists hailing from the American South. Exhibitions rotate, but currently include Ancient Nubia: Art of the 25th Dynasty and the Shaheen Collection of French Works.
The High Museum of Art is also part of a larger campus that houses additional art disciplines from performance to music (through the Woodruff Arts Center, Alliance Theatre, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra). This one-stop shop offers mediums ranging from paintings and prints to sculptures, photography, dance, orchestra, and theatre.
high.org/
