Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is a world-class art and history museum in downtown located at 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209. The museum features over 100,000 artifacts and more than 250 paintings, sculptures and works of print. There are three sections to the Witte Museum: The Historic District, the International Area and the Adoptions Gallery. Combined, these three offer over 14,000 square feet of exhibition space with 24 galleries of rotating exhibitions. It's an amazing place to experience a historic city without leaving it. Check out the following post for information on how you can have your own great day at the Witte Museum!
The Historic District
The Historic District is the oldest section of the Witte Museum. It features galleries on both the first and second floors with the majority of the galleries on the first floor. The ground floor features the Audience Center and the 9-story Great Hall which is a popular venue for weddings and receptions. The Audience Center is a high-ceilinged space with a central stone staircase and a ticket office. This area is also home to the museum gift shop. The galleries in the Historic District focus on the art and architecture of Texas and the Southwestern United States and the impact of these peoples and cultures on the art world. The galleries and exhibitions change frequently so be sure to check the website for information on what is on display. The Historic District is also home to the three dimensional art collection and a permanent collection of Mexican Colonial and Pre-Columbian art. For Texas history buffs, there is also a permanent exhibition on the Alamo and San Antonio. Another great read.
The International Area
The International Area is one of the newer sections of the Witte Museum and features galleries on the upper floors of the building. The International Area is home to galleries on the arts and culture of Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the United States. The galleries are filled with paintings and sculptures from all over the world and feature rotating exhibitions. The International Area also has a cafe. The galleries in the International Area focus on various themes including the visual arts, architecture, design and the impact of technology on art. For those with an interest in international cultures, the gallery also features exhibitions on topics like Mexican culture, Japanese printmaking, Chinese ceramics, Indonesian batik and African textiles.
Adoptions Gallery
The Adoptions Gallery is the newest section of the Witte Museum. It has two galleries, one on either side of the Adoptions Gallery Center which is a meeting room and retail space. The Adoptions Gallery features rotating exhibitions and features works from many different artists and artisans. This gallery is perfect for adoption events and is a great way for visitors to experience the museum without making a commitment to adopt one of the works. The Adoptions Gallery focuses on artists and designers who create items like stationery and art supplies, home decor, paper goods and other items that can be used as gifts. Adoptions are often donated by individuals, companies and organizations and there are always some great items available for donation. The Adoptions Gallery also hosts workshops and activities for children and families.
Final Words
The Witte Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum that is unique not only in San Antonio but also in the state of Texas. The Witte Museum was founded more than 100 years ago and is a testament to San Antonio’s rich history. The Historic District and International Area are home to many rotating exhibitions and permanent collections. The Adoptions Gallery features items created by artists, designers and crafts people from around the world. The Witte Museum is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It is a great day trip for tourists or a great place for locals to experience art and history. The Witte Museum is located at 206 Broadway in downtown San Antonio, Texas. For more information, visit the Witte Museum website. Browse around