Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth

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Another wonderful musuem. I made a point to see this place on my lunch times and it was all worth it. Lots of wonderful display of artist and exhibits. I was so excited because I got to see an actual exhibit of one of the most powerful female Egyptian pharaoh. I will never forget it!

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The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth was designed by the American architect Louis I. Kahn (1901-1974). Since its opening in 1972, the museum has become world known for its permanent collection of about 350 pieces of . Several times a year the Kimbell hosts visiting exhibits. The permanent collection is still free. Special visiting exhibits costs vary.

If you are a member of the Kimbell, you get two free passes to special exhibits as often as you like.

There is so much to see and do around the Kimbal for everyone:

- Located across the street from the Kimbal is the Will Rogers Coliseum and Museum of Science.

- Exiting the front (lower level) of the Kimbal, you face the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum.

- Exiting the back (upper Level) and a short walk across a small park is the Amon Carter Museum.

The architecture of this landmark is enough to make a visit. Although it is a small museum, the collection is one of the best in the world. With works from Cycladic idols to Degas pastel works, you will be amazed.

Parking is hard to find, however if you turn down Camp Bowie Blvd. and turn into the ramp going down to the entrance of the museum, parking is located on either side.

Admission is free.

The gift shop is top notch. Every art related book imaginable can be found, as well as beautiful prints and postcards on every single one of their works. Their small cafe is intimate with delicious food and wonderful coffee to top of your visit.

Expect to spend 1 to 1 1/2 hour to view all of the works in detail and shop.

Make sure to stand 12" away from the artwork. I was called down several times for getting too close. Once you get close too, you have a personal guard watching your every move.

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Our first foray to the Kimbell Art Museum was in September ('06) to see the Queen Hatshepsut exhibition.

Egypt has always seemed a highly mysterious place, so a peek at its treasures from antiquity was a fascinating experience!

The museum itself is not huge with room after room of masterpieces, but houses a small collection of excellent works from Europe, the Near East, Greece, Asia, Africa, Rome and Mesoamerica.

The building designed by American architect Louis I. Kahn, is noted architecturally for its classical design and appreciated for its skylights, courtyards and quality of light. In all honesty, I found the exterior too austere.

If you arrive with an appetite, a dining area offers lunches such as, quiches, salads and sandwiches. Friday evenings one can find a light dinner of tortes, soups, pastas, salads accompanied by wine, if desired. Live music is presented at that time.

Museum hours are Tues.-Thurs. & Sat. 10 am-5pm; Fri. noon-8pm; Sun. noon-5pm. Closed Mondays,NY Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Buffet lunch: Tues.-Thurs. & SAt. 11:30 am-2pm; Fri. and Sun. noon-2pm; Dessert only on Tues.-Sun. 2-4pm; Dinner Buffet on Fridays 5:30-7:30 pm.

Admission is free except for special exhibitions.

This museum can be found in the Cultural District of Fort Worth which is west of downtown. It is across from the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The grounds are extensive and a visitor will find fountains among the simple but elegant architecture. Once inside, there are two areas which contain the permanent collections. Admission is free to those areas. Thanks in large part to donations and benefactors, the museum has a fine collection of ancient and modern art. There are pieces here from the famous artists such as Monet, Rembrant, and Cezanne. There are also frequent special exhibitions. Although there is an admission charge for these, the exhibits are usually well presented and worth a look. This museum is well staffed with knowledgeable people. There is a good gift shop as well as an excellent cafeteria. Easily, this is one of Fort Worth's finest museums. Parking should not be too difficult unless a major event is happening at the adjacent Will Rogers Center.

The art expert, Sister Wendy, claims that Fort Worth's Kimbell Art Museum is one of the top 10 small art museums in the world. Having been there, I'm inclined to agree.

The permanent collection, albeit small contains a wealth of incredible artwork. It contains works from practically every era and style. The highlights for me were pieces by Miro, Leger, and Mondrian that I have often viewed in art books. Clearly my tastes veer toward the modern, but there is something in the collection for every tastes. The curators are to be commended for having an excellent eye for putting together a superb collection.

During my visit, the special exhibit was Palace and Mosque, a collection of Islamic art. It was unlike anything I have ever seen and a great value for the $6 admission fee (discounts for seniors and students).

If you visit, don't forget to take a stroll around the grounds as well. They feature beautiful sculptures, spectacularly manicured gardens, plus a surprising amount of wildlife (I saw robins, blue jays, squirrels, and chipmunks). If you're on a really tight budget, you can see the permanent collection and grounds for free.

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The idea for "an art institute" for the people of Texas came from Kay Kimbell and his wife Velma Fuller Kimbell. When Kay died in 1986, his will mandated the creation of the museum. His widow then decided that the entire Kimbell estate should be used in the implementation of the institution and within a week of his death, she contributed her share to the foundation.

Clustered as on a fairgrounds, the 6 museums of Fort Worth make up a cultural island of their own, approx. 2 miles west of downtown.

The Kimbell Art Museum was the one we visited. With the stated mission of displaying '..objects that exemplified the highest aspirations of past generations, enshrined under natural light in modestly scaled galleries of fine materials', the museum is a gem in and of itself. Travertine walls and floors, skylights and brushed steel fixtures set a beautiful stage for breathtaking works of art. TURNER AND VENICE is the exhibit on loan through May 30, 2004 from London's Tate Gallery. I only wish we had been able to stay longer to drink it all in.