This eye catching sculpture stands on West Campus Drive in front of Shepherd University's Shaw…read moreHall. The piece is by Harold "Skip" Van Houten, a Danbury, Connecticut, native who taught for 24 years at the University of Southern Mississippi and founded that school's sculpture program. It is one of three on the University campus. Flat Rocks Roll is a metal framework that holds dry-stacked stones in the form of a wheel. It is definitely unlike anything I have ever seen before, an innovative and creative installation. The iron and rock evoke a feeling of movement and openness. I enjoyed it. The artwork was created in 1988 and installed in 2015. It is a gift of John and Patricia Bain Bachner to the University. There are two others by this artist on campus. [Review 15613 overall - 65 in West Virginia - 1117 of 2021.]

For a free museum, this one is worth it! Located in John Brown's old house, it tells the story of…read moreJohn Brown and how he tried to rescue those enslaved a few years before the Civil War. The museum comes with signs to read, art, and several artifacts. There are clean restrooms on the second floor.

How have I not reviewed my favorite place in Harper's Ferry WV!? We first visited in 2023 and so…read moretoday when we were pleasantly surprised to find them open on Monday we had to enjoy the museum again. Just so you're aware the museum is up for sale and it's future is uncertain. Because of that the hours can vary from what you see posted. Due to the uncertainty of its future it is more important than ever to visit and support this historic marvel. Opened back in 1961 the wax figures are extremely life like and tell the entire story of John Brown's life and then the culmination at John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry that resulted finally in his death by hanging after the botched raid. I feel grateful to have visited a couple times and I really hope once it's sold that the new owners continue to operate it as a wax museum. This type of attraction has become increasingly rare and should be celebrated.

Fantastic museum tucked away in MD, only a 45 min drive out of DC. Visited two years ago in the…read moresummer and went back this week in the fall. Enjoyed a delicious lunch at the cafe, which was under renovation the last time we went. Highly recommend the chicken sandwich. The coffee was also out of this world--maybe our highlight of the day. Very whimsical to watch all the guests walking around draped in Andrea Bowers protest ribbons (which were also at the NMWA!), and the rainy weather added to the ethereal experience. There are free umbrellas in the arrival hall. They cap the guests per day so it never feels crowded; oftentimes, you're the only visitor in a room. Only downside is the weird cult-ish vibe of the greeters at the arrival hall. Both times they've been aloof and unfriendly. But once you make it into the main area, everyone we spoke to was lovely. Service is pretty spotty unless you're indoors on the guest WiFi! There is ample parking and they have shuttles that can take you back to your car from the main area.

Such lovely grounds and an interesting collection of exhibits! I really enjoyed exploring the…read moreproperty and taking in the art. One thing I'd definitely recommend is wearing comfortable shoes because there is quite a bit of walking involved. And I mean quite a bit! Otherwise, it was a nice experience, especially if you enjoy art and spending time outdoors.

While exploring a small town right before Baltimore we really enjoyed ourselves in the public art…read moreand we walked around and visited many different art designs and murals and different things the city has to offer. I really enjoyed the set of wings they have that I titled the love wings the red and white in or in a good part of the area of town

"I love these murals, but when do we enter the museum?" Me. "These are the museum," my friend. And…read morethis is how I've come to enjoy the DC Alley Museum as the best outdoor-only free museum experience that I've ever had! For the past 10 years, Shaw's Blagden Alley has partnered with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities to transform its building walls into canvases for local artists to showcase their work. The result is an alleyway filled with a cavalcade of murals big and small, that blend in well with the local businesses within said alleyway. While walking through this vast alleyway I saw so many incredible works of art that I lost track, and the photos that I took barely do justice It's an absolute street art lover's dream! The best part is that you can either walk through it in a quick dose, or you can do so while grabbing coffee at La Colombe, a cocktail at Calico or Death & Co, or even a workout at DC Strength and Nutrition. Checking out the website is a must to learn more about the core mural artists and to find out about events like their Alley-Oop Music and Arts Festival.

Murals galore! They are all different and unique and range in size. How fun to just explore various…read morestreets and find unique art at every turn. Sometimes you can't even tell if it's part of the outdoor museum or part of the storefront of a creative restaurant. Definitely worth checking out. There is a coffee shop, bar, restaurants, and other business nestled within this space. We need more art, less arguing!

Nowadays, walking the corridors of any mall can be a rather mindless act with Sears, JC Penney,…read moreFoot Locker, Victoria's Secret (and their clones) offering the same innocuous litany of storefronts. However, when I walked through Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg this week and saw a storefront sign that read "Splendid Chinese Ethnic Groups," I admittedly did a double take. Those four words were as incongruous a name as I had ever seen on any storefront anywhere. So, naturally, I stepped inside to investigate. That's when I quickly found out that, in fact, "Splendid Chinese Ethnic Groups" isn't a store at all but, rather, an exhibition space. Stupid me. I should have known better. The mall, as I knew from the moment I walked in, is currently all decked out to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. That's because, for years now, Lakeforest Mall has assumed a pretty prominent role in celebrating the Chinese New Year locally. In tandem with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, which is based in Gaithersburg, it has celebrated the Lunar New Year with an assortment of performances, exhibitions, and cultural demonstrations throughout its corridors (using its long walkways and, yes, vacant spaces as the local Chinese community might have once utilized the streets in and around Chinatown before shifting demographics moved the epicenter of the Chinese community to Montgomery County). The theme for this year's celebration, as I learned, happens to be "The 56 Ethnic Groups" of China. So, what I stumbled upon as I happened to walk the mall with a friend as I did was, in fact, this year's "special exhibition." And, it's an interesting one at that (considering the exhibition's small size and rather meager appearance). Along each of its walls, placards and photographs, filled with historical information and factoids, highlight the various Chinese ethnic groups (many of whom are seemingly obscure minorities) and give them a bit of much deserved attention and public spotlight. As I tended to the left and right walls, I read about the Derung, Oroqen, Tu, Lahu, Hui, and Han ethnic groups (among many others). Despite being Chinese myself, it was an education to say the least. I know very little about Chinese ethnic groups...well, except for the Han (the largest ethnic group, the one that most everyone thinks of when they think of Chinese people, and the one that I happen to belong to myself). Referring to the placard on the wall and to what I could recall, I told my friend who was with me, "Yes, that's the ethnic group that I belong to. It's actually the largest ethnic group in the world. Han Chinese comprise about 92% of China's population. In total, that's 1.3 billion people and roughly 20% of the global population." My friend who is from the ultra-tiny country of Luxembourg was utterly flabbergasted by these numbers. Seizing the moment, I continued, "Yeah, we love to have sex all the time. That's why the population is so huge." My friend soaked it all in. "In fact," I went on, "Thousands of years ago in ancient China, we invented sexual intercourse." My friend just shook his head in awe; and, I think for about three brief, spellbinding minutes, he actually believed me.

This little art gallery in Strasburg Virginia isn't so little at all. I was amazed at the variety…read moreand amount of items in every corner of the building, upstairs and down. There is surely something here to catch everyone's fancy and pocketbook. And the best part is that Marcy the owner will enthusiastically tell you about any piece...and won't make you feel guilty if you don't purchase something. Stop by as you drive down Route 11 in the Shenandoah Valley.

From the owner: This 1850 Brick Federal history rich building houses 2 floors of fine art, pottery, music, books,…read morefabric art, jewelry, and furniture by over 38 artists from throughout the Shenandoah Valley. We are proud to represent Linda L. Anderson, Armando Cavada, Taylor Kaldes, Ren, Wolfgang Nuedorfer, and Laura Sherrill. . The Pot Town Pottery Room keeps Strasburg's pottery tradition alive with the work of 8 potters. Open 7 days a weeks so that your schedule is never a problem. We even offer private appointments for professional interior decorators, architects and others who are tasked with purchasing art for others. Music: 3rd Friday of the month features Music and More from 7 until 10 PM when the musical talent is always different. Live Jazz, Rock, Piano, inside or out depending on the weather. Very laid back and always free Book signings and lectures are held from 2 til 4PM on the last Sunday. We are always family friendly and even have a water bowl outside for our four footed friends.

Sign up for the tour given by the park authority ($10 per adult) and you will get a fascinating…read moretour with access to buildings that are normally locked to the public. Our guide today was Morgan and she was extremely knowledgeable.

Located very close to the Dulles airport and the National Air Museum . There's free and easy…read moreparking.Entrance is also free.If you want to take a tour that does cost a fee . I came here without expectations and open to what I would see. The area is very walkable.There's a visitor center . It has information and artifacts from the property . It's also where tour tickets can be purchased .I was able to tour the grounds, including the recreated enslaved quarters. I was able to go inside of the enslaved quarters. Some of the buildings are undergoing renovations and can only be viewed from the outside. This includes the main house.The guide stood in the middle of the grassy area and talked about the main house. He also showed pictures of the inside. Yes, this area was part of the Underground Railroad , but not as a beacon of freedom. It is also on the national registry of historic places. Owned by north Virginia's first congressman and his family this was a working plantation. At one point it was also used by confederate soldiers. Give yourself at least 45 minutes for the grounds.

The Vienna Arts Center hosts exhibits of mostly local artists and also serves as a community…read morecultural center. There's art classes for children and adults as a "Sundays at the Art Center" program. That particular event is fun. And free. Every Sunday, you can go to the center and have free drinks (coffee or a soft drink) and cookies and see whatever exhibit is there that particular week, as well as listen to guest artists talk about their works. There is an exhibit going on here now that I loved! It is called "International Cocktail Collection" and is a series of pastel paintings that incorporate drink glasses (mostly of the martini kind) used in unusual ways.

I have signed on to teach a number of workshops at the Vienna Arts Center, and am hosting three…read moreVisiting Artists who will be teaching master classes. This space is one of the area's best kept secrets. Spacious, professionally run and wonderfully creative atmosphere. Bonnie Fitzgerald, Maverick Mosaics

A hidden gem in DC - part thrift store part community art incubator. Grateful that third spaces…read morelike this exist! They host a ton of regular, weekly events so check those out, or stop by to shop secondhand and buy crafts from local artisans: https://bloombars.com/contact/events/

Awesome and accepting arts space in the middle of DC that holds cool events...go there a random…read moreevening if you want to take in some local culture in a beautiful space. If you're a performer you should know....the sound there is one of a kind, the mixing spot on. One of the most professional operations I've seen in terms of sound quality. No drinks or food so get your fill before you drop by.