AVAM: A “Pretty Un-Museumy” Museum

Megan O'Neill — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:56:43 +0000

Last month I finally had the opportunity to visit the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore, MD. My mom had been talking about the museum for a number of years, telling me about different exhibitions she had seen at her “new favorite museum”. I was anxious to see the place after all of my mom’s talk, so on my last visit to the States in July I took a trip to see the museum for myself.

The American Visionary Art Museum is America’s national museum for self-taught artists and their art. Founded in 1995 by Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, AVAM rejects formal training and academics, as well as the rules and formats of traditional art, focusing instead on “outside” artists—those who have no training in the arts and simply use art as a means of expressing themselves and their own personal visions. In his article in the Baltimore Chronicle, Sindhu Tharayil quotes founder Rebecca Alban Hoffberger. Hoffberger says, “Visionary art follows no school. It is the best of self- taught artistry that is driven by a deep personal need. Many visionary artists may not even think of what they do as art.”

Hoffberger regards AVAM as a “pretty un-museumy” museum and prides herself on the museum’s unorthodox goals as an educational institution. AVAM’s goals include transforming and expanding the definition of a worthwhile life, increasing awareness and respect for the talents and gifts of others, promoting the use of self-exploration and intuition as a part of the creative process, and acknowledging the hunger within each of us to discover our own voice and talents.

After visiting the American Visionary Art Museum I have joined my mom in saying that AVAM is my “new favorite museum.” The museum’s 55,000 square feet of exhibit space contained more talent than I have ever seen in one place. As I walked through the museum I wrote down the list of every artist that inspired me with his or her talent and vision and by the end of my visit I had written down over 40 names.

Over the next few months I will share these artists with you here on Beware the Loquat. You will recognize these posts by the following icon:

If you have visited the museum or have an affinity for any artists that have exhibited there feel free to share your comments and reviews!

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AVAM: A “Pretty Un-Museumy” Museum