A Walk About Town is a weekly feature hosted here at Coffee and a Book Chick throughout the month of December. Anyone can participate; for those who do, simply write a post, include the button you see to the left, and add your link in the Linky below so that we can all visit your post. You do not need to include a picture to participate.
This week's "A Walk About Town" feature was an absolute thrill. To think I've never visited the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia when I lived here before (and it is free)! Walter Chrysler (the son of the car guy*), donated thousands of art objects from his PERSONAL art collection. An unbelievable collection, it boasts artists such as Salvador Dali, John Singer Sargent, Georgia O'Keefe, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Henri Matisse, Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollack, and much more... Click here to see their collection highlights.
I actually went to see the special Colorama exhibit by Kodak, which featured scaled down versions of the 18 x 60 feet photographs once placed in Grand Central in New York through the 1960s, but I couldn't take any pictures due to Kodak copyrights. However, I did buy a book about it (touristy me!) and I'll take a funky picture of that and post it for Alyce's weekly Saturday Snapshot at At Home With Books. (If you haven't participated in that meme before, you should! So much fun).
I actually went to see the special Colorama exhibit by Kodak, which featured scaled down versions of the 18 x 60 feet photographs once placed in Grand Central in New York through the 1960s, but I couldn't take any pictures due to Kodak copyrights. However, I did buy a book about it (touristy me!) and I'll take a funky picture of that and post it for Alyce's weekly Saturday Snapshot at At Home With Books. (If you haven't participated in that meme before, you should! So much fun).
I couldn't believe the sheer magnitude of this museum for the small city of Norfolk. The first floor alone has THE LARGEST glass collection in the WORLD. The WORLD, people. In Norfolk, Virginia. 10,000 objects spanning 3,00 years take up a good section of the museum. And yes, there is quite the selection of Tiffany's art, lamps and all. The museum also has an extensive glass studio which includes a workshop and class schedule (yeah, I'm not taking any classes, as I am quite accident-prone).
Did I forget to mention that there was a wine tasting with jazz music playing in the ballroom this evening? It was quite the experience to appreciate amazing artwork while listening to lovely live jazz in the background.
This was a real treat and I'm looking forward to this weekend for the museum's Historic Houses.
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| Chrysler Museum of Art Entrance |
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| Ballroom Floor (Wine Tasting) |
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| Glass Chess Set |
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| Tiffany's Stained Glass |
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| Gustave Doré (French) 1866-68 |
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| Frank Kline (American) 1940 |
And then here's a silhouette of me looking at a really cool wall of photos of celebrities. I punched up the grittiness of the picture because I was in a funky art mode. There ya go.
What about you? If you want to recap a spot about your town this past week, why not join A Walk About Town?
*[Edited 12/30/11 to include correction on William P. Chrysler, Jr.]
*[Edited 12/30/11 to include correction on William P. Chrysler, Jr.]
What a total cool place! This museum is a gem. I love all the pictures you have featured. Now I know what to do if I am ever in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteIt's been years since I've been to the Chrysler Museum and I'm sure it's changed, but I remember LOVING that glass collection!
ReplyDeleteI've lived here for 15 years and am ashamed to admit that I haven't been to the Chrysler. I have been to the Harrison Opera House :) Thanks for reminding me about the wealth of culture that we have here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a ballroom! Wow.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely walk, Natalie. What a great feature!
ReplyDeleteGlass art is some of the most fascinating stuff out there for me, and I would love the chance to visit this museum. I once harbored fantasies of being a glassblower, but that is not really very practical! I love that you got to see this, Natalie! The pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic entrance! i love museums.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your sparkling review of the Chrysler Museum. I've worked as a Visitor Services Represenative there for three years and love every minute of it. I will offer one tiny correction: the Chrysler who donated his collection (and name) to the museum is, unfortunately, not the "car guy." He's the son of the car guy! Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. (Walter P. as we call him), had little if no connection to the Chrysler Corporation, but was actually president of the Chrysler Building in New York City as well as a life-long supporter of the arts, broadway producer, and philantrophist. His story is detailed in a wonderful book by Peggy Earle called Legacy available in our gift shop and local book stores. Can't wait to read your review of the Historic Houses!
ReplyDeleteJoe - Thanks so much for the correction! I have edited the post so that it is accurate :)
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