William King Museum of Art facts for kids
The William King Museum of Art (often called WKMA) is a cool place to explore art and history. It's located in Abingdon, Virginia. The museum is inside a beautiful old school building that was built way back in 1913.
At the William King Museum of Art, you can see amazing art from both the local area and from all over the world. They show both new, modern art and older, historic pieces. The museum also has special studios where artists work. There's even an outdoor garden filled with sculptures! Plus, they have a special program called VanGogh Educational Outreach that helps kids learn about art.
The William King Museum of Art works with other important art groups. It's a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. It's also part of the American Alliance of Museums, the Virginia Association of Museums, and the Southeastern Museums Conference.
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Discover the William King Museum of Art
What is the William King Museum?
The William King Museum of Art is a place where you can learn about different kinds of art. It shows art from the past and from today. The museum also helps people understand the history and culture of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. It's a fun spot for families and students to visit.
Exploring the Research Archives
WKMA has a special collection called the Betsy K. White Cultural Heritage Research Archive. This archive is like a huge library of information. It carefully records the history of handmade art from Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. This includes things made before 1940.
Since 1994, this project has found and photographed over 200 handmade items. These items show the region's amazing skills in making furniture, fabrics, pottery, metal items, and musical instruments. The goal is to keep a lasting record of these important artworks.
Enjoying the Sculpture Garden
Outside the museum, you can walk around and see many cool sculptures. These artworks are part of the museum's permanent collection. The museum also holds a special outdoor sculpture competition every two years. New sculptures are often added to the garden from this event. For example, in August 2016, three new sculptures were put on display.
Fun Educational Programs
The museum offers many exciting programs for students of all ages. These programs help kids learn about art and history in a hands-on way.
- VanGogh Outreach: This program is for second-grade students. It teaches them about visual arts by exploring the cultures of China, Egypt, and Native American Indians.
- Heritage Express: This program is for fourth-grade students studying Virginia history. It helps them learn about the rich cultural heritage of the region.
- Tour Plus: Students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade can enjoy a museum tour. They also get to do hands-on art activities based on a chosen topic.
- Art Lab & Digital Lab: These labs are equipped for many art activities. You can try painting, drawing, printmaking, and working with clay. There's also a darkroom and labs for digital art and 3D design.
