Whether you are an art major or just an art enthusiast, Fort Worth is a city teeming with culture. It has been described by many as the art capitol of the Southwest. To prove that point, there are three nationally renowned museums within a few square blocks of each other. Making up the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural district are the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum. My best advice would be to take a day, park somewhere close and visit all three. It takes about two hours to get a good overview of each museum, and in the spring, admire the beautiful gardens outside the Kimbell and the Amon Carter.
Amon Carter Museum
The Amon Carter Museum is a jewel of Southwestern and Western art. It showcases artists such as Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. This is the place to visit for enthusiasts of American-Western history or landscape art. There is also a smattering of artworks from other eras, including some antiquities. As with the Kimbell, the Amon Carter is also free to the public, though its special exhibits cost extra. There are several exhibits on display now, ranging from Drex Brooks’ photography of the history of the American Indians to “Masterworks of American Portraiture,” both on display until early to mid-summer. For more information, call (817) 738-1933, or go to cartermuseum.org.
3 out of 5 stars
Kimbell Art Museum
The Kimbell Art Museum has quite an impressive collection of artwork spanning the centuries and the globe. It is a museum that has a little bit of everything. Asian, Egyptian, Greek, Monet, Degas, Courbet or Italian Renaissance pieces – it has it all. It’s free to the public, which is a definite plus for the college student. The Kimbell also shows films and has lecture series, many of which are in conjunction with special exhibits. If you like Japanese artwork, you won’t want to miss “Drama and Desire: Japanese Paintings from the Floating World.” Tickets for special exhibitions are $10 (half price on Tuesdays). For more information, call (817) 332-8451, or go to kimbellart.org.
4 out of 5 stars
Modern Art Museum
Right across the street from the Kimbell is the Modern Art Museum. You can’t miss the large metallic sculpture displayed in the front corner of the building. If you are out for a Sunday afternoon of art viewing with your sweetie, stop underneath the sculpture and sneak a kiss, as many couples do. This museum is quite modern, both in what it displays, as well as the building itself. The building is minimally built with steel, glass and concrete. The simple design helps display blobs of foam, ladders to nowhere, and abstract splashes of paint by artists such as Jackson Pollock. There is the drawback of a $4 admission price, but the museum is always free the first Sunday of the month. The Modern does have a great restaurant, which is a little pricey, but you pay for the ambience. It also does quite a few concerts (mainly classical or jazz) and lectures. For more information, call (817) 738-9215, or go to themodern.org.
3 out of 5 stars
