Arts Appeal

Art in Texas is a diverse blend of the old and the new. Whether it’s the first Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, founded in 1892 and relocated to a stunning new building in 2002, or the brand-new Blanton Museum of Art, opened in 2006 in Austin, the Lone Star State offers an abundance of aesthetic appeal. We cover all the bases–from Picasso and Pollock to Matisse and Manet, it’s all here.

Other Artistic Treats

• The Chinati Foundation in Marfa is hailed by many as the last important art statement of the 20th century. The striking thing about the exhibit is the emphasis on the works of art and the surrounding landscape and how they are harmoniously linked.
• Visitors to South Texas, an area that was once part of northern Mexico, will find it to be a region filled with historical significance. The Webb County Heritage Foundation conducts tours of historic downtown Laredo and operates the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, housed in the impressively restored capitol building of the short-lived independent republic.
• Heritage Village in Woodville provides a view of what life in East Texas was like in the 1800s. The village is a living museum of pioneer history, where visitors can experience the past through a blacksmith shop, a livery stable, and an apothecary. Don’t miss an opportunity to dine at the Picket House Restaurant for some delicious down-home cooking.
• Whether you are a history buff or an animal lover, you’ll like Amarillo’s American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum, where exhibits trace the history and development of the breed and its place in American culture. While you’re in town, you may also want to take in the Amarillo Railroad Museum and the Amarillo Museum of Art.
• The Dallas Arts District is another cultural treasure trove that includes music, museums, and dance companies. The Nasher Sculpture Center is one of the few places in the world that’s totally devoted to sculpture, with much of the priceless work displayed outdoors in a garden setting. Enjoy modern dance by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre at downtown’s Majestic or listen to the sounds of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei.
• Any one of Houston’s Museum District treasures is worthy of an afternoon—the Museum of Fine Arts houses African, European, Latin American, Native American, and Asian art collections, for instance, while the medical and natural science museums, the Rothko Chapel, and a children’s museum are emblematic of the breadth of the city’s arts scene. See as much as you can.