You probably visited Smithsonian’s Air and Space when you were 12 years old. And if you ever take an art class, you’ll most certainly stop by the National Gallery?if you haven’t already. You might have even stopped by the Holocaust museum if you’ve come to Washington on any school trips or family vacations. But this city has a lot more to offer than three or four major museums. In fact, the very heart of D.C. art might rest in the smaller galleries and museums that most tourists simply don’t have time for. Here’s a few suggestions from the Voice Leisure staff.
The Corcoran: While the perminant collection inside the Corcoran Gallery of Art is worth the trip, it is probably not worth repeating. The collection holds American painting from the early 20th Century including portraiture and landscape. It also boasts various European artists such as Courbet, Monet and Renoir as well as a large holding of photography. But Washingtonians go back again and again less for the permanent collection than for the museum’s very worthwhile exhibitions. Over the last few years, they’ve housed Annie Lebowitz’s “Women” photographs, a small but impressive Andy Warhol show, photographs by Arnold Newman and a show for modern artist Willem De Kooning. And for architectural buffs, an addition designed by world renound architect Frank O. Gehry is in the works.
The Hirschhorn: If you’re on the Mall, you might notice the Hirschhorn Museum, because it looks like a giant concrete doughnut that fell out of the sky. Located right next to the Air and Space Museum, the Hirschhorn holds a vast permanent collection of American and European sculpture and paintings from the 20th century. It includes works by Picasso, Miro, Dali and Bacon. In addition to the permanent collection, the Hirschhorn is always hosting temporary exhibits, oftentimes of multi-media works. Be sure to check out the giant bank of TVs depicting the American flag and the absolutely huge and remarkably life-like sculpture of a naked man. Outside, on the Mall side of the building, the museum continues in the form of an outdoor sculpture garden with permanent installations.
The Newseum: After only a five-minute GUTS bus ride or a 15-minute walk across the Key Bridge, you can reach the Newseum right in Rosslyn, Va. It’s a one-of-a-kind interactive museum of news in the United States, and it features both hands-on activities and exhibits. You can participate in live news broadcasts at the museum’s broadcast studio and control room, visit the interactive newsroom or the ethics center. There are also four theaters with round-the-clock coverage of great moments in history caught on film or vintage newsreels. Meanwhile, the permanent exhibit explores the change in news from ancient to modern times?through multimedia exhibits, news artifacts and a huge collection of historic newspapers, magazines and newscasts. It might sound like something you visited when you were in fifth grade, but we guarantee it’ll grab your attention for at least a few hours and give you a new appreciation for journalism.
The Phillips Collection: In an unimposing red house in Dupont Circle resides a permanent collection that far surpasses the modest exterior of the museum. The works, organized in a compilation called “Renoir to Rothko,” include various pieces from different periods over the last century. The collection is relatively small but surprisingly complete in its sampling of modern art. Boasting several very recognizable pieces and numerous notable exhibits, the Phillips is undoubtedly worth a visit. Moreover, because it’s so close and so small, a trip there might only take an hour or two.
