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St. Louis is recognized across the nation for its remarkable (and complimentary) art. Here, staff, faculty, students, and alumni of Washington University in St. Louis reveal their preferred spots to appreciate visual art throughout the region during the summer.

St. Louis Virtuoso Collective

“Cherokee Street is my preferred destination for art. In particular, I adore visiting the St. Louis Virtuoso Collective, an artist gallery to which I belong, as it serves as a co-op for over 50 artists from St. Louis. When you step into this space, you’re not merely witnessing the creations of a single artist; you’re encountering the collective efforts of a community in St. Louis passionate about the arts and eager to share with others. There is an abundance to admire — that’s the best way I can put it — due to the diverse array of artists. Most of the pieces are incredibly affordable; you won’t be emptying your wallet.”

— Sydney Tran, a rising senior studying psychological and brain sciences in Arts & Sciences as well as in communication design at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

St. Louis Virtuoso Collective, 2616 Cherokee St. Entry: free

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

“My current favorite exhibit is CAM’s ‘Like Water,’ curated by Dean Daderko, Chief Curator of the Ferring Foundation. Additionally, there’s the ‘Make the River Present’ exhibit, organized by Michelle Dezember, CAM’s learning and engagement director, alongside independent curator Allena Brazier. I have worked with Michelle Dezember, who is an incredibly thoughtful community builder. This exhibit also features some of my favorite STL artists, including Dail Chambers and Galen Gritts, who is a member of the Cherokee Nation and part of the Native Women’s Care Circle.”

— Juan William Chávez, an adjunct instructor at the Sam Fox School

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, 3750 Washington Blvd. Entry: free

Saint Louis Art Museum

“Summer is a time for adventure, but it’s also a season for reconnecting with old friends, such as beloved paintings. For me, visiting the Saint Louis Art Museum during the summer months is incredibly rewarding, partly because the park is right there and partly because galleries tend to be less populated when the sun entices so many outdoors. Many works express humanity’s affinity for nature during sunny and warm weather — Van Gogh’s ‘Vineyards at Auvers,’ Sorolla’s elegant ladies in ‘Under the Awning’ (1910), or, of course, Cézanne’s ‘Bathers’ (1890–92), enjoying a summer swim in a Provençale river. They are there all year round, but somehow, these paintings resonate even more during the summer months.”

— Elizabeth Childs, the Etta and Mark Steinberg Professor of Art History in Arts & Sciences

Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive; Entry: free

Neighborhood public art

“When I relocated to St. Louis four years ago, one of the first things that amazed me was the unique character of each neighborhood. The Grove, the Delmar Loop, and Old North are just a few of the many areas adorned with intriguing murals and public art initiatives. In recent months, small artistic touches have appeared around my home in Holly Hills, near Carondelet Park. Vibrantly painted fire hydrants, banners on light poles, and welcoming markers inject splashes of color along the streets, designed to reflect the characteristic stained glass of numerous homes in the community. Two murals have been commissioned to commemorate the neighborhood’s history — one fashioned as a postcard and another like a train station — with at least one more set to be unveiled this summer. There are also plans for statues of our newly elected neighborhood mascot, Holly the Hedgehog. I cherish living in a space that employs art to augment its already friendly and inviting atmosphere!”

— Katie di Domenico, a PhD candidate in art history in Arts & Sciences

Kemper Art Museum

“I’d suggest visiting the Kemper Art Museum, located here on the WashU campus. We currently have an outstanding group exhibition titled ‘Seeds: Containers of a World to Come’ along with a fantastic permanent collection spanning from the 19th century to contemporary global art. My favorite piece on display right now is our Willem de Kooning painting. I also want to highlight the Missouri Botanical Garden’s current exhibition, ‘Smelling the Bouquet: Plants and Scents in the Garden.’”

— Meredith Malone, curator at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, 1 Brookings Drive near the intersection of Skinker and Lindell boulevards. Admission: free

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. Admission: $16; $6 for residents of…

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St. Louis and St. Louis County

STNDRD and NON STNDRD

“At both STNDRD and NON STNDRD, we endeavor to adapt to the evolving needs of artists and our communities. Situated amidst industrial settings in the Metro East, our exhibitions showcase a varied ensemble of both emerging and established creators. STNRD has recently premiered ‘Art Outposts,’ an exhibit curated by Purple Window Gallery that highlights works from nine artist-operated spaces in the Midwest. The display is set up on an outdoor flagpole structure. From June 28 to Aug. 22, NON STNDRD features ‘a different, better self’ by Chloe Bass and ‘Dead Creek Survey’ by Lauren Yeager. Chloe’s creations mix text-based signage, various found materials, and chalk to capture the passage of time and the movement of light within the space. Lauren Yeager presents a collection of reclaimed survey stakes from construction sites, suspended in the exhibition area.”

— Sage Dawson, founder of STNDRD and senior instructor at the Sam Fox School

STNDRD, 1822 State St., Granite City, Ill.; NON STNDRD, 2300 Falling Springs Road, Sauget, Ill. Entry: free

Pulitzer Arts Foundation

“With its multitude of outdoor areas that offer generous space for reflection and connection, the Pulitzer is my preferred location to visit alone or bring guests during a St. Louis summer. The water court is an excellent spot to bask in the sunlight and also provides a fantastic photo opportunity. Take a stroll beneath ‘Joe,’ the Pulitzer’s monumental outdoor steel sculpture crafted by artist Richard Serra, and contemplate the relationship between earth and sky.”

— Bristol Hough, AB ‘24, annual giving coordinator at the Missouri Historical Society

Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd. Entry: free

The Griot Museum of Black History

“This summer, I recommend visiting The Griot Museum. During my student years, there were not many suggestions from the faculty that extended beyond the familiar cultural atmosphere surrounding the school. The community should explore and engage with the entirety of the city, recognizing the constraints imposed by certain hierarchies and broadening those limits to embrace the diverse cultural offerings present in the area.”

— Kahlil Robert Irving, MFA ‘17, artist

The Griot Museum, 2505 St. Louis Ave. Admission: $10, $5 for children

Laumeier Sculpture Park

“My preferred venue for experiencing art in St. Louis varies with my mood. When I seek outdoor activities and a refreshing hike, I head to Laumeier Sculpture Park, where I can engage with public sculptures while enjoying the sun and appreciating nature. I also relish trips to the Kemper Art Museum and the Millstone Gallery at COCA, both conveniently located near my home in University City. And, naturally, Bruno David Gallery, where I’m represented, provides a vibrant perspective on local and national artists. I’m particularly eager to see ‘Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France’ at the Saint Louis Art Museum, which promises to be an ideal summer outing with family.”

— Yvonne Osei, MFA ‘16, artist

Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Road. Admission: free

The post Where the WashU community engages with art in St. Louis appeared first on The Source.

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