The Frist Art Museum is, in many ways, a work of art in itself. Located in Nashville’s former post office, which figures on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is a neoclassical, art deco masterpiece built in the 1930s. With no permanent collection, the museum plays host to a revolving door of traveling exhibits that highlight Tennessean art and history as well as international masterpieces. Get a bit of high culture in, or just spend a rainy afternoon looking at and creating art in this beautiful building.
Spend a few minutes standing outside the museum to appreciate the minimalist exterior, constructed of white marble and pinkish granite. Follow the spare lines, which reference classical forms without becoming reproductions.
Once inside, appreciate the stark difference between the simple exterior and the elaborate interior, which is decorated in the art deco style that had become popular a decade before the building’s construction. Appreciate the museum alone, or join the Architecture Tour on the first Saturday of each month.
Head into the exhibits themselves, which highlight a variety of topics from Nashville history to children’s book illustration and Great Masters. Bring the kids into the Martin ArtQuest gallery and let them loose on the 30 interactive stations. Dab paintbrushes into watercolors, sculpt clay into forms, or make a custom stamp. Stick around into the evening on Thursday and Friday, when local musicians hold free concerts in the museum café.
Find the Frist Art Museum in the center of downtown Nashville, just a few steps from the bars and excitement of Lower Broad. Walk from Ryman Auditorium in 10 minutes. Metered parking is available on site, with a lower fee for museum visitors, on a first-come, first-served basis. There are other metered lots in the vicinity.
The museum is open to visitors daily during regular business hours, and stays open until late on Thursdays and Fridays. On Sundays, the museum opens in the early afternoon. There is an admission fee, but the entire facility, including Martin ArtQuest, is free for children. Live music in the café is free to all.
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