Addison Gallery of American Art facts for kids
This view of the neoclassical entry to the Addison Gallery does not reveal the modernist sections of the building
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| Established | 1931 |
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| Location | Andover, Massachusetts |
| Type | Academic museum |
| Collections | American art |
The Addison Gallery of American Art is a special art museum. It focuses on collecting and showing American art. The museum is part of Phillips Academy, a school in Andover, Massachusetts.
History of the Museum
The Addison Gallery has had several directors since it opened. These leaders help decide what art to collect and what shows to put on. Some past directors include Bartlett H. Hayes, Jr., Christopher C. Cook, and Jock Reynolds. More recently, Judith F. Dolkart and Allison N. Kemmerer have led the museum.
In 2006, the school decided to make the Addison Gallery even better. They planned a big project to fix up and expand the building. Construction started in 2008 and finished in 2010. This renovation helped the museum have more space for its art and visitors.
Amazing Art Collection
When the Addison Gallery first opened, it already had many important artworks. These included pieces by famous American artists like John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent.
Over the years, the museum has grown its collection a lot. They have bought new art and received many generous gifts. Now, the collection includes works by artists such as Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Andrew Wyeth. You can also see paintings by Mary Cassatt and Josef Albers.
The Addison Gallery also has a huge collection of photographs. It includes about 7,500 photos that show the history of American photography. There are many works by well-known photographers like Walker Evans, Robert Frank, and Ansel Adams. In recent years, the museum has added modern art by artists like Kerry James Marshall and Lorna Simpson.
As of 2022, the museum has over 22,000 artworks. These include paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and decorative arts. The art spans from the 1700s to today. The museum also has models of American ships, like the Half Moon and the Mayflower.
Special Exhibitions
The Addison Gallery regularly puts on new art shows. Each year, they feature about twelve temporary exhibitions. These shows often highlight specific artists or themes. They also change how their permanent collection is displayed.
Some recent exhibitions have included:
- American Vanguards: Graham, Davis, Gorky, De Kooning and Their Circle (2012)
- An American in London: Whistler and the Thames (2014)
- Laurie Simmons: in and Around the House (2016)
- Mark Tobey: Threading Light (2017)
- Mel Kendrick: Seeing Things in Things (2021)
- Rosamond Purcell: Nature Stands Aside (2022)
- Alison Elizabeth Taylor: The Sum of It (2023)
| Artist/Theme | Year |
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| Sol Lewitt | 1993 |
Images for kids
