Museum of Contemporary Art Arlingon

This museum was founded online after looking for things to do in Arlington Va. What a sweet surprise to find a reclining Statue of Liberty. It is literally chilling on the front lawn available for all to see, touch and even climb on. It is very photogenic however, it will only be there for a short time period. The museum was small with about 2-3 levels. I loved the The Tiffany Gallery because of course that is my name. Oh, There is no charge to enter. Bravo

Free street parking available.

Lovely museum to visit. It's free, has parking, and features cool modern art displays. There are 3 floors with multiple galleries in which one can spend 30 minutes to an hour walking and reading through. They also hold fun events like sound baths that you can pay for tickets on through eventbrite on a monthly basis.

How wonderful to have this museum in the community (there are already lots of artists here in Arlington). The grounds are well kept, and the whole place is very pleasant and attractive. The latest addition is an outdoor Reclining Liberty (a statue of liberty that is lounging, as inspired by the many reclining buddhas throughout Asia). The statue is by Zaq Landsberg. It's a wonderful celebration of 40 years of public art in Arlington! The sign invites people to not only take photos but also climb, sit, and stand on the statue.

Celebrating five years in 2023, the museum used to be called the Arlington Arts Center before rebranding. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. for free, here's my experience going on a Wednesday right at noon.

1) Gallery: The museum has three floors with exhibits featuring local artists. Each gallery is small but with enough art to keep visitors engaged. It took me 30-45 minutes to go through it all.

Staff were helpful with guiding me through the museum.

There are classrooms and artists's studios as well.

As a dad, I appreciated the signs warning parents that some art may not be suitable for kids.

2) Area: It's near the Virginia Square Metro station with plenty of food nearby.

3) Parking: There's a free lot on the property and easy street parking behind the tennis court in the back.

A friend wanted to check out an exhibit here by Lex Marie. The museum is small, but has some interesting pieces on display. We loved Lex Marie's exhibit so much! I used to work a block away and never knew this museum existed! It was a nice indoor activity for a cold day.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington has a fantastic exhibition 'Crisis of Image' featuring 9 artists. I highly recommend it. While you are at it, MoCA offers excellent art classes for adults and children, summer camps and access to 12 artists in residence. Add in the art on the lawn and you'll have a wonderful time at this free to the public art center that is open Wed - Sun from 12 to 5pm.

Lookout!!! I can't believe I'm just finding this hidden art gem so late, but I'm glad I did. Thanks to my hubby, we stumbled upon this arts center while out on a date night. The Arlington arts center were having a celebration for "Dia de Muertos" and it was great. Very interactive and informational celebration on this widely celebrated holiday in Mexico. On this day the arts center hosted dancers, face painters, and foodie treats along with art celebrating the holiday in theme. They even did a lighted projection in the outside of the building which was cool. I like that they host a lot of family friendly free events. The center houses different artist that are modern and classic. It is three floors, with restrooms located for men on the main level and ladies in the basement. Good tips there is no parking on property but a good amount of street parking is located around this establishment. They sometime have food trucks close by during events and restaurants are walking distance away!

I'm so glad that this art and cultural center re-opened last month. It is a neat place to see work from Virginia based artists (and some from DC and Maryland, too).

The Arlington Arts Center offers local painters/sculptors, pottery peeps and drawers studio space as well as a place to exhibit their stuff. They also have a small theater here, but the focus is to give artists and curators as well as art critics a place to network.

I saw a show here last month that was called "Fresh Paint" which was the best show I had been to at this spot so far. Included in this exhibit was a "invite only" show of 14 artists, a video and sound installation, and a few works by a mixed media artist.

Go to an opening reception if you can (free appetizers and wine, people). There is an sculpture exhibit opening tomorrow night. Call to make sure you get a spot - it is free to attend.

Sharing my experience of the summer camp for ages 7-10 years old. The only positive- all the staff members are extremely nice. My 7 year old attended Comic book composition and Drawing 101 this summer. I had heard great things about AAC and enrolled her back in February, excited that the camp will add to her already advance art skills. She left without learning any new drawing technique, coloring media or anything art related at all. The instructor didn't seem to have any understanding of the subject or any enthusiasm to teach. It seemed her goal was to keep the kids occupied from 9-4 by placing a pot or a toy in the center for the kids to draw from without actually giving any directions, reading them books for much lower level and making them run around in the tennis/basketball court. I wouldn't consider the camp more than a safe daycare center.

Well, it's a cool building (the art galleries inside the bowels of the building bely the old school exterior -- venture inside!). I needed to find a figure drawing session. They have one on Wednesday evenings. $15 for one three hour session (or get a multi-pass for cheaper). I went two weeks ago, having read up on it online. It didn't say how long the poses were or what medium one could use... so I (doofus!) took my oils... one of the other participants sniffled that he didn't like the smell... and then they told me that some of the poses were one minute poses!

So, back last week. This time armed with paper and pencils. The model was a woman this week. All admiration to nude models but as I stared at her (that's what one is there to do); I realized that she was trembling. Fine, I figured that was from the exertion of holding a pose for 30 minutes. But, then I noticed her face getting redder and redder. She started to sniffle. And then she cried, fat tears rolling down her red cheek, dripping off her profile. If I were living in a novel, I would have guessed that she was nude modeling as a form of redemption or punishment. And, not a single person commented or offered a tissue. Including me.

While the model is shivering and emoting, and as I'm concentrating on the lines and shadows on her stomach, the guy next to me is making almost inaudible admonishments, "no, that's not right. Ugh, no, not that way." And so on. Next to him was a young man who discussed the interesting shading of "the back'" and then who would tune back into the bubblegum pop on his ipod.

My drawings were not nearly as fascinating as the characters in the room.