During your visit to the Everson Museum of Art enjoy a self-guided tour of the Museum’s collection of American art from 18th century to the present. While the Everson Museum of Art’s impressive permanent collection spans from an estimated 700 paintings to one of the largest holdings of American ceramics in the nation, many visitors come just to see the building which is a sculptural masterpiece in itself.
Permanent Collection
The Everson Museum of Art’s permanent collection is comprised of approximately 11,000 objects including paintings, ceramics, sculptures and videos. While the art museum’s collection has grown and changed over its existence, the Everson’s current collection of American art continues to grow and has been steered by decisions made early in the Museum’s history.
American Paintings
One of Everson’s primary collections consists of around 700 American paintings that span two centuries. Delight in 19th century works by artists including: Gilbert Stuart, Edward Hicks, Charles Loring Elliot, Eastman Johnson, Severin Roesin, Celia Beaux, Jane Peterson, Abbott Handerson Thayer, Charles Hawthorne, Robert Henri, John Sloan, John Marin, Arthur B. Carles Jackson Pollock, Adolph Gottlieb, Milton Avery and Andrew Wyeth. A highlight within the collection includes landscapes of New York State by New York artists. 1960s abstractionists Helen Frankenthaler, Morris Louis, Al Held and Jules Olitski are also included in the collection. 1980s photographs and multimedia works by artists: Barbara Kruger, Cindy Sherman, Les Levine, Nancy Spero, Malcolm Morley, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Philip Guston complete the American Paintings collection.
Works on Paper
An estimated 600 works on paper provide an overview of 19th and 20th century art movements. These works serve to parallel and amplify the American paintings collection.
Ceramics
Highly regarded for its magnitude and magnificence, the ceramics collection of the Everson is known as one of the largest holdings of American ceramics in the United States. Numbering over 4,000 pieces that range from 1000 AD to the present, the ceramics collection includes works by ancient Americans of the Southwest to the most cutting-edge examples by contemporary artists. Explore the American Art Pottery collection comprised of over 2,000 pieces and including both hand-crafted ceramics and examples of commercial ware. In addition to its American ceramics collection, the Everson Museum of Art’s holdings include study collections of ceramics from around the world ranging from a Chinese funerary urn from 3000 BC to contemporary examples of European and Japanese ceramic art.
Sculpture
Over 200 sculptures, primarily of the 20th century, are housed in the Everson. Sculptors works featured in the museum include: Alexander Archipenko, Beverly Pepper, Lila Katzen, Ernest Trova, John DeAndrea, Claus Oldenberg, George Segal, Michael Tracy, Sol Lewitt, and Mary Frank.
Video
The Everson Museum of Art began collecting art videos during the late 1960s and continued to do so throughout the 1970s. Today the Everson maintains one of the earliest and most comprehensive collections of art videos of the period. An estimated 500 tapes include work by Nam June Paik, Mary Lucier, William Wegman and Bill Viola.
Photographs
The Everson’s collection of 450 photographs provides visitors with an overview of developments in the photo industry over the years. Photographs of particular interest include images from the post-World War II era that offer insight into photography during the time.
Decorative Arts
Once a center of the American Arts and Crafts movement, the Everson’s holdings include nearly 100 decorative art objects. The Decorative Arts collection consists mainly of furniture made by Gustav Stickley and other area artisans and firms active in the production of Arts and Crafts artifacts.
Shopping in the Museum Shop
The Museum Shop offers a unique shopping experience. Jewelery, ceramics, art books, and art-oriented items for children are all available to purchase and make for the perfect gift or keepsake.
- The Everson Museum of Art permits photography and videotaping of the permanent collection with permission from the Museum. Ask the receptionist in the administrative offices for more information.
- Changing exhibits are featured in the Museum in addition to its permanent collection.