800 Key Highway
410-244-1900
HOURS:
Tuesday thru Sunday 10-6pm
ADMISSION:
Adults $6.00
Children, students, and seniors $4.00
Groups of ten or more $3.00
Large parking lot $3.00 a day
Abundant meter parking
This unique museum is located
waterside in the Inner Harbor and features the original works of
self-taught artists. Its seven galleries house collections of
the creative pieces of farmers, housewives, mechanics, retired
folk, the disabled, the homeless, and others. Works range from
every medium imaginable, and the museum as a whole captures some
of America’s most intuitive untrained artists, featuring
everything from carved roots to embroidered rags, tattoos to
toothpicks, to towering "junk" sculptures.
Congress deemed the Museum
America’s official "National Museum, Repository, and
Education Center for the best original, self-taught
artistry." Some of the permanent exhibits include The
Towering 55-foot Whirligig, by farmer/mechanic Vollis
Simpson; and The Non-denominational Wedding Altar, by
visionary genius and lay-naturalist Ben Wilson. Some of the
temporary exhibits being displayed now or very soon include The
Tree Of Life, an inaugural exhibition of 400 remarkable
works created from wood and tree products that celebrate Man’s
connection with Nature; and The End Is Near, an
apocalyptic and post-millennium vision of the 21st
century. The individual exhibitions are displayed throughout the
entire museum and sculpture barn, keeping the place an
ever-evolving house of unschooled, yet ingeniously imaginative,
artistry.
The American Visionary Art Museum
is one of the most intriguing and inspiring places to visit in
Baltimore. It’s great for kids and adults alike. Also, a nice
break in between exhibits can be a visit to the museum’s Joy
America café: seats 80 people inside, 40 on outside patio.
The cafe has a nice view of the Harbor and is open Tues. - Sat.
11-10pm, Sunday brunch 11am-4:30pm.
Not far from the AVAM is the
Baltimore Museum of Industry, and a combined tour of these
attractions makes for an excellent time as both places are
fascinating and inspiring. If you are walking the Inner Harbor,
especially the central Harbor, a visit to the AVAM might be a
little too far a walk if you’re not up to it. However, this
shouldn’t be a problem. All one needs to do is hop on a water
taxi. As far as art galleries go, this place should be # 1 on
your list.
