Visit Baltimore: American Visionary Art Museum

Gallery-A-Go-Go Bus - Nancy Josephson

A very fun place to take the entire family to in Baltimore, Maryland is the American Visionary Art Museum.

According to the website, "Visionary art as defined for the purposes of the American Visionary Art Museum refers to art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself."

I really enjoyed perusing the artwork in the American Visionary Art Museum.  From whimsical and magical, to dark and macabre, the various artists and art showcased truly captured my attention.

Untitled - James Franklin Snodgrass

The Tinker -  Lorann Jacobs

First Dance - Stanley Wright

What Me Worry? Bed - Patty Kuzbida

The creations of these visionary artists were open to interpretation, and sometimes you needed to take a closer look, or even a step back, to get the whole picture.

Now through September 2 is The Great Mystery Show exhibit.  With a focus on mystery as "that one secret power behind great art, science, and pursuit of the sacred," 39 visionary artists delve into the mysteries of life, death, love, and the universe.

The kids' absolute favorite exhibit was the The Flatulence Post by Bob Benson.  Press a button and you can't help but giggle at the fart noises emitted from the post!  Surrounding the Flatulence Post is funny art depicting what different types of farts look like.  So creative!

The kids thought it was neat to see art created from all sorts of materials - matchsticks, broken plates, coffee cans, bottles, and junk!

Lusitania - Wayne Kusy

My Grandma's Old Blue Willow - Mary Proctor

Can-Can - Isadore Waber

Community Art Car Project

Stegosaurus - Leo Sewell

In a neighboring building is the three-floor Jim Rouse Visionary Center, which houses larger exhibits, including a very fun Cabaret Mechanical Theatre with buttons kids could press to make all sorts of objects animate.

On the third floor, visitors can actually step into a bird's nest in David Hess' Bird's Nest Balcony.

The American Visionary Art Museum is very family-friendly, and I love how there are several interactive exhibits to engage the little ones, both inside and out. 

The Gateway - Antar Mikosz

Cosmic Galaxy Egg - Andrew Logan

Meditation Chapel / Wedding Altar - Ben Wilson 

It was so neat and inspiring to see so many different types of art at the American Visionary Art Museum!

American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Hwy

Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-1900

Mahalo to the sponsor for the complimentary tickets.