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The Art Lover's Guide to North Carolina

Exposed paintings on the wall in one of the must-visit museums in New Jersey

The beauty of traveling is experiencing new things and exploring different places. However, that doesn't mean you don't need a little help along the way to make It easier. Having a guide can make your trip run more smoothly. And that will be our topic today. We made the art lover's guide to North Carolina for everybody planning to visit this beautiful place. And even if you weren't planning to visit North Carolina, maybe after reading this article, you will change your mind. We will tell you what places you should visit while there and why, so you can make a plan before you go. You will be more efficient with your time if you are prepared before your trip.

List of places to visit in North Carolina

We will share our list of the top spots an art enthusiast should visit in North Carolina. North Carolina is an incredibly historically and culturally rich place, and it has been attracting people from all over the country. In the last few years, many people have decided to move from Maryland to North Carolina and hire interstate movers because they want to experience everything this beautiful place offers. A move like this is easy when you have expert assistance, and who knows, maybe after visiting some of the places on our list, you will be inspired to move to North Carolina someday. Now back to our list:

  • North Carolina Museum of Art
  • Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh
  • Reynolda House Museum of American Art
  • The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts

person sitting in front of paintings

The number one spot in the art lover's guide to North Carolina goes to the North Carolina Museum of Art

The most important place for all art lovers in North Carolina is the North Carolina Museum of Art. This museum was opened in 1956 and is located at Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC. This museum has an exciting history, as it is the first major museum in the USA to be formed and funded by the decision of state legislation. It has an incredible collection of art pieces that will impress any art enthusiast. There are some ancient art pieces as well as modern ones. From Renaissance paintings and 18th-century American art to African and Egyptian art collections, it feels as if the entire history of art is right there in front of you. Entry to the museum is free, apart from some special exhibitions. You can book a tour where a guide will take you through the museum and teach you about some of the most amazing pieces there are.

Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh

The next stop on the art lover's guide to North Carolina is the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh. This isn't your typical museum and has a little different approach to art. It is a non-collecting museum, opened in 2011, that focuses more on the future of art instead the past. The entire goal is to make your visit to the museum an unforgettable, unique experience. There are art exhibitions, fashion displays as well as live art demonstrations. It's also not uncommon for there to be events with DJs and live music. Some of the artists that had their work on display here are  Angel Otero, Heather Gordon, Leonardo Drew, and Jonathan Horowitz. The exact location of the museum is 409 W Martin Street, Raleigh, and admission is free. And the best thing is how accessible the museum is for everyone. There are audio guides, touch tours, and requested assistance for various displays and performances.

 

People looking at a painting exhibit
Reynolda House celebrates the very best of American art and culture

Reynolda House Museum of American Art

If you are a big fan of particularly American culture and art, then this next stop will be a real treat. Reynolda House Museum of American Art celebrates the best American art has to offer. The Reynolda house was established in 1917 by  Katharine Smith Reynolds and R. J. Reynolds, and it is located in  Winston-Salem, North Carolina. If you visit this museum, you will have the chance to see the works of renowned artists such as Mary Cassatt, Frederic Church, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Gilbert Stuart. In the Mary and Charlie Babcock Wing of the Reynolda House, there is a gallery that is used for showcasing traveling exhibitions. Some of the past exhibitions that were featured there are

  • Modern Masters from the Smithsonian Art Museum
  • Seeing the City: Sloan's New York
  • Vanguard Collecting: American Art at Reynolda House,
  • Figures in Bronze: Sculpture at Reynolda

And from February 18, 2023, until May 14, 2023, you can see one of the upcoming exhibits, Figures in Bronze: Sculpture at Reynolda.

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts is one of the most historically and culturally important centers in America. It celebrates the work and lives of African American artists throughout American history. It was named after Harvey Gantt, the first  African-American mayor of Charlotte. He was also the first African American student admitted into Clemson University, so his name carries a lot of important history within. The Center offers an incredible experience that consists of attending arts education programs, powerful art exhibitions, dance performances, and visual arts. The goal of the Harvey B. Gantt Center is to celebrate and raise awareness about the contributions of African Americans to American art and the ways in which it shaped the culture. Some of the upcoming events you can see are EnVision Me Film Showcase and Martin Luther King Jr. Day: It Takes A Village celebration.

Woman walking with a suitcase
Hopefully, our art lover's guide to North Carolina will be useful to you on your future travels 

 

In conclusion

This was our quick art lover's guide to North Carolina. We listed the most important places you should visit, but there are many more. North Carolina is full of art, music, dancing, and culture. It would take you a long time to see it all. Hopefully, our list will help you plan your trip so you don't lose time figuring out where to go and what to do. The most important thing is to travel to new destinations and experience new things.

Images used:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-print-painting-lot-2123337/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-sitting-on-ottoman-in-front-of-three-paintings-20967/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/exhibit-painting-display-69903/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-walking-on-pathway-while-strolling-luggage-1008155/