Designed by architect Richard Meier, this facility--part of the Woodruff Arts Center complex--is itself a work of art. A dazzling white porcelain-tiled building with an equally pristine white interior (The New York Times jokingly cautioned that visitors risk snow blindness on a sunny day), it houses four floors of galleries connected by semicircular pedestrian ramps girding a spacious, sun-filled, four-story atrium. It's a lovely building and a favorable setting in which to view art. The north wall of this atrium is enhanced by a 62-foot-high jewel-toned ink drawing by Sol Le Witt, and there's a giant mobile by Alexander Calder on the front lawn. The permanent collection includes more than 10,000 pieces, among them a significant group of 19th- and 20th-century American paintings. It features Hudson River School artists such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Church, as well as works by Thomas Sully, John Singer Sargent, and William Harnett. The Virginia Carroll Crawford Collection of American Decorative Arts comprehensively documents styles from 1825 to 1917. The Samuel H. Kress Foundation collection comprises Italian paintings and sculpture from the 14th through the 18th century. The Uhry Print Collection contains important works by French impressionists and postimpressionists, German expressionists, and American 20th-century artists. Also notable are collections of sub-Saharan African art, a folk art collection, and works by noted 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographers.
In addition to its permanent collection--which is shown on a rotating basis--the museum hosts a number of major traveling exhibitions each year, complemented by films, lectures, workshops, gallery talks, concerts, and other cultural events. Inquire at the desk about happenings during your stay, and call in advance to find out when you can take a free gallery tour.
The museum also has a wonderful gift shop with an impressive stock of art books, prints, and interesting art-oriented objects. There's also an excellent cafe run by Alon's, which has two other locations in town. It's a delightful space, accented with the same colors as the Calder mobile, which is just outside its big glass windows. The cafe serves up sandwiches, soups, pastries, and desserts, fresh juice, tea, and specialty coffees. It's open Monday 8:30am to 3pm, Tuesday through Friday 8:30am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. You don't have to enter the museum to get to the cafe.
1280 Peachtree St. NE (at Sixteenth St.)
Phone: 404/733-HIGH .
Open: Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm, and until 9pm the fourth Friday of each month.
Closed July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Admission $6 adults, $4 seniors and students with ID, $2 children 6-17, children under 6 free. Free to all on Thurs 1-5pm. Fees subject to change for special exhibitions.
A parking garage is located behind the museum on Lombardy Way between Fifteenth and Sixteenth sts..
MARTA: Arts Center. (A covered walkway links the station to the museum.).
High Museum of Art
