Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The National Museum of Decorative Painting

PERMANENTLY CLOSED as of April 2018.

Atlanta is a treasure trove of hidden gems! The National Museum of Decorative Painting is yet another hidden gem that I found quite accidentally during a random Internet search. And that it's right around the corner from my office was a bonus.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
The Museum boasts an impressive collection of 1,500 artifacts and the range of painted items is equally impressive. And some of the artifacts date to the 18th Century!


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
The styles of painting also vary in range, although much of it is realistic in some fashion or another. You'll see lots of floral, people, and scroll painting, with lots of surprises mixed in.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
When we went, we were greeted by the Museum's executive director, Andy Jones, who also served as our tour guide. He reminds me so very much of my brother Russell in Miami that I couldn't help but feel relaxed and had a great time.

Andy was very polite and quite funny. With a great laugh, his passion for the museum collection and its mission comes through with obvious grandeur.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
To take from the Museum's website, the museum was created in 1982 "for the purpose of collecting, preserving, and displaying the art of decorative painting...the Museum also provides exhibitions and educational programs for the public to increase their appreciation and understanding of decorative painting, its heritage, methods, and techniques."


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
After we toured the main part of the Museum, which was more modest than I expected given the size of their collection, Andy invited us to the open storage area where they have the balance of the collection, sans any pieces that are at the time on a traveling exhibition.

Very tall rows and rows of artifacts...small, large, subtle, extravagant...and it's all painted!


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
Adjacent/part of the storage area is a very large catering kitchen—they have special events at the Museum from time to time—and the Museum's gift shop, which is nicely appointed.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
The beauty in this Museum is surprisingly free of charge for all visitors. I was used to that when I lived in Washington, D.C., but not here in Atlanta, so that was a pleasant surprise. The one catch is that it's only open Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by appointment.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
The Museum also offers workshops, classes, and shows. I didn't ask about those, but I do know there's a classroom upstairs at the Museum, but for additional information, visit the Museum's website or just give them a call.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
If you're a local tourist, it's quite possible you've seen artifacts from the Museum before...they do exhibit around town from time to time.


National Museum of Decorative Painting
National Museum of Decorative Painting
Next time you're in West Midtown, during the day, stop by the Museum and visit with Andy. If you're planning a trip and the National Museum of Decorative Painting is on your 'to see' list, call ahead to let them know you're coming—just in case they might be out installing an exhibition.

One word of caution, be careful parking. The parking is complimentary—again, a rarity in Atlanta—but the front parking lot is tiny, but there's some parking in the back.

Now, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for even more photos of this beautiful museum.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Fantastic review of a fantastic piece of Americana.A must see!!!