Museum of Southwest | Midland

The Museum of the Southwest in Midland, Texas, offers a rich cultural experience through its art, science, and history components. Here's a more detailed look:

Turner Memorial Art Gallery:

• This gallery within the museum focuses on visual arts.
• It hosts a variety of changing exhibitions, ensuring that there's always something new to see. These exhibitions often feature high-quality art from various periods and styles.
• The gallery also houses part of the museum's permanent collection, which includes a selection of prints, paintings, and drawings. A significant part of this is the Hogan Collection of paintings by the Taos Society of Artists, as well as works by prominent American artists like Norman Rockwell, Grant Wood, and Thomas Hart Benton.
• The Turner Legacy Galleries offer a glimpse into the history of the Turner family and their connection to the Kentucky Derby, displaying relevant artifacts.

Durham Children's Museum:

• This is a dedicated space for interactive learning and exploration aimed at children.
• It features a variety of hands-on exhibits designed to spark curiosity in science, art, and history.
• The exhibits are engaging and encourage learning through play.
• A popular exhibit is the "Texas Backyard," which celebrates the local community.
• The Children's Museum also hosts events like "Mommy & Me" classes and rotating temporary exhibits.

Blakemore Planetarium:

• The planetarium offers immersive shows about space and astronomy using a state-of-the-art 360-degree Digistar 7 system with 3D capabilities.
• It provides educational and engaging experiences for all ages, including star talks and dome shows.
• The planetarium also has Earth and space science exhibits, including the popular Science on a Sphere.

Grounds and Sculptures:

• The museum campus spans six acres and includes a public sculpture collection with sixteen large-scale works by contemporary Southwestern artists.
• These outdoor artworks are accessible to the public for free.

Events and Programs:

The Museum of the Southwest offers a wide array of programs and events, including:

• Sci-Fridays: Science-focused activities (May-October).
• Works of Art!: Regular art-focused sessions.
• Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts: Free outdoor music events.
• SeptemberFest Art Fair: An annual arts and crafts show featuring local Texas vendors.
• Christmas at the Mansion: A festive holiday event.
• Think! Make! Spring Break!: Engaging activities for children during spring break.
• Kids Summer Workshops: Hands-on workshops in art and STEM for children of various ages.
• Family Fridays: Special interactive activities and science experiments for families.
• Guided Tours: Available for those wanting a more in-depth experience.
• The museum also has educational outreach programs that bring art and science to local schools and underserved communities.

History of the Museum:

• The Museum of the Southwest was incorporated on September 25, 1965, following an initiative by the Junior League of Midland to establish an art and science museum.
• It opened in 1966 at a temporary location before moving to its current home in the Turner Mansion in July 1968.
• The Turner Mansion, built in 1937 for oilman Fred Turner and his family, is an Eclectic-style home that was a showplace in Midland. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• The museum campus expanded over the years with the addition of the Thomas Gallery (1970), the Blakemore Planetarium (1972), and the Lissa Noël Wagner Wing (1987).
• The Fredda Turner Durham Children's Museum was built in 1986 on adjacent land donated to the museum.
• The museum has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) since 1992, demonstrating its commitment to professional standards.

In essence, the Museum of the Southwest is a vibrant cultural hub in Midland, offering a diverse range of experiences for visitors of all ages through its art collections, interactive children's museum, captivating planetarium shows, and engaging programs and events. Its location in the historic Turner Mansion adds a unique architectural and historical dimension to the museum experience.