brattleboro museum and art center

A smallish place worthy of a visit. Their faces exhibition is excellent especially if you bring small children who like to draw. Parking nearby.

We read about this Museum online, and decided to take a chance in our #ThisIsNewEngland travels with a 2.5 hour drive from out home in CT, and it was worth the trip.First off, Brattleboro is a New England destination all by itself, and find the Museum with or without GPS is a piece of cake, as it placed in what used to be the towns Train Station, at the end of the main business street. Parking, as in all small towns is limited, but all within easy walking range. In our case, 100ft from the front door.The display of art starts with out of doors sculpture an continues to the very building - an 19th century train station remodeled to a new function, complete with original marble floors, doors and windows to rooms with wooden floors from days gone by. Just checking out the building would have been worth the trip.Honestly, I am not much of a fine art person. I took the required art appreciation classes in high school and undergraduate school, so I know art when I see it, but normally, I only enjoy it in retrospect. This museum is a little different. The first display we say was a modern art sculpture made from scrap wood. Interesting, but not overpowering. However, the display that comes with the finished piece blew my mind. This display showed the entire progression of the sculpture from the model, to the drawings, math, practice pieces to a full sized pre-sculpture to the finished piece. I had NO IDEA how difficult it was to get the art out of the wood. Out standing.There are a few dozen displays, all worthy, but the next one that took me back was a photo Gallery of historical photographs taken Senator Patrick Leahy at events that have shaped America in the last few decades. For example, there were candid photographs of President Clinton and Ronald Reagan as they signed legislation and argued bills with closed meetings of select committees in congress. There was even a time lapse sequence of President Obama discussing Health Care legislation with a closed select committee as Senator Lieberman was telling the president why he was withdrawing his support. I had never looked at these leaders of the free world as people before; more as icons. This display showed them as real live people no different that us. There is even a room where you or children can try their hand at drawing and display it.If there was a down side it was that we were there for just over an hour, rather than 2 or 3 hours, but for the price of admission and the unique content, we are very happy we took the time. For a review of the town outside of the museum, as well as more detail of the museum, check out our blog on #ThisIsNewEngland - http://thisisnewengland.blogspot.com/2014/12/brattleboro-vermont-day-trip.html

A revolving series of exhibits by local artists and photographers, in a beautifully-lit, ample space that is free and open to the public. As are its public bathrooms, which are clean, large and to the back after a long walk up Brattleboro's main street!

The BMAC, as it is called locally, is an endowed, professionally curated fine arts museum. If you are very particular about what art you view, you won't be disappointed here. The BMAC shows only the finest visual art, and the curation and exhibit design is the best in the inner New England region.

It is more a rotating exhibition, than a museum, so check the website what is presented at a particular time your are planning to come. This time it was about a sculpture made of many small wooden pieces and photography including those of Senator Leahy, showing people and leaders of the world. Friendly staff.

This is such a beautiful. Quaint museum which was once the old Union train station. All staff are super friendly and helpful. A must see whenever you are in Brattleboro.

Despite the title, this is neither an art center nor a museum. It seemed to be a wanna-be art museum but was hugely disappointing. For all the history around this part of the world it is sad that there are not any decent museums - I expected more from something that advertises itself as such. Sorry to report that it is vastly overpriced for what it has to offer. On the plus side the staff (consisting of one young man who takes you money at the door) was very polite and helpful with local area knowledge.

November sees the start of a brand new Arts & photography exhibition at BMAC. In my view this is perhaps one of the best exhibitions in the year or so that I have frequented the museum.Well worth a visit if you are visiting Brattleboro or South Vermont.

The center has a nice mix of events and updates their exhibits regularly. It's a former train station which makes for an interesting space. There are also various lectures and presentations throughout the year which supplement the Center. Definitely worth repeat visits to see the changing exhibits.Parking can be more difficult since there's really nothing right at the Center. There are some lots relatively nearby but a bit of a walk is needed. It is right at the 5 points intersection in the heart of Brattleboro which is known for its traffic congestion. If a train is coming through, back-ups are even worse. If you are able, you might be better served to park up a bit more in town and walk to the museum.

This was a destination for me, and a good one at that. It is inside a renovated train station adding to its interest. You walk into a grand, multi level entrance. There is an exhibit there. One that hit home, the "America Through The Windshield" exhibit. The other exhibits are in galleries off the main room. They are all worth your attention. I was particularly impressed with "The World of Jessica Parks' as her work was detailed and very colorful. Don't miss Dinah Shore doing here Chevrolet commercial, a blast from the past. The exhibits are dedicated to traveling around America and our love for travel and obsession with the car. Some are about the ride, others are about the destination. The last exhibit is interactive. Visitors are invited to write about their travels and represent their state. Worth the time, worth the money!

We stopped for a short visit recently. Staff were friendly and they have accessible parking and entry for the mobility impaired. Hard to comment on the programming after only one visit, but we appreciated half or more of the exhibits. Not bad for us.

Lovely little museum, both the building and the exhibits. Beautiful view over the river and bridge and they have kept some of the old touches -- the ticket window and offices. Nice, variety of well-thought out shows.

I recently visited the BMAC with friends, during a trip to Vermont. This was my second visit, having attended the Biennial exhibit here last year. I had not given due attention to their hours, mistakenly thinking it was the night of their free admission. It was not. However, it was 20 minutes until closing time, and the attendant at the front desk was gracious enough to allow us in without paying (we were happy to make a small donation). But we were so glad to have visited on this night, as all of their current exhibits were due to close in two days. We viewed "Flora: a Celebration of Flowers in Contemporary Art," an amazing array of flowers created by various artists in a multitude of forms, medium, and styles: a colorful visual explosion to behold ! Also showing was "Opposing Forces: New Paintings by John Gibson." His several large pieces appeared "3D" and captivated our interest while capturing our full attention and awe. "All the Days of the Year" is a film by Walter Ungerer. It is a digital video recording of each day of one year, as seen from Mount Battie, Camden, Maine; offering a fascinating, 360-degree view of changing light, weather and scenes from 13 separate but related vantage points atop the mountain. Finally, "Cloaked and Revealed" was a small collection of sculptural paintings by Marela Zacarias. "Painted in patterns inspired by world textiles.... these hybrid objects- actually formed from window screens- scramble the categories of art and life, past and present, painting and sculpture." Truly unique and imaginative. What a wonderful collection of pieces the BMAC had to offer us on this visit. My friends remarked that they had never been to the museum before, and we each noted our strong desire to return again. We absolutely loved it.

This little musem, has a great local exibition right now. Go see Jerry's Map; over 25 years of work and still not done. The childrens glass works is very creative. Enjoy

We stumbled upon this museum by chance, and we enjoyed the museum (former train station) immensely. A charming small museum indeed!