The Crow Museum of Asian Art: An unexpected spot in Dallas

Dallas, Texas is known for a lot of different things, and it’s thriving art community is definitely one of them.

While the Dallas arts scene has a lot of facets, one of the most prominent is the Crow Museum of Asian Art. It is unique, spectacular and a destination that should be added to any trip to this incredible city.

The birth of a museum

Before the museum was even a thought, Trammell and Margaret Crow bought their first piece of Asian art in the 1960s. This was the beginning of a lifelong passion for collecting art from various countries and in various forms and mediums.

The Crows continued to travel and collect more art. Their destinations included, but were by no means limited to, Nepal, Cambodia, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, and Korea. But once they had this vast collection art, the question arose of what to do with it.

On December 5, 1998, The Crow Museum of Asian Art opened to the public for the very first time in the Dallas Arts District. As much of the collection was scattered between various businesses and private homes, this was the first time so much of it had all been in one place.

The Dallas Arts District

The Crow Museum of Asian Art is located in downtown Dallas, and is part of the Dallas Art District. It’s made up of 13 different artistic institutions that fulfill a variety of purposes. In the end, they all exist to promote and enrich the arts community in Dallas.

One of the key facilities housed in the district is the Dallas Museum of Art. It features several incredible collections of art from around the world, representing a variety of key artists and eras. This includes works from Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse and Piet Mondrian.

But there are several other outstanding facilities devoted to the arts in the area. Great examples are the Nasher Sculpture Center, the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Naturally, the Crow Museum is a big part of it.

The Crow Museum of Asian Art

Visitors will find multiple highlights throughout the museum. Frankly, the whole Crow Museum of Asian Art is a highlight. The core exhibits of the permanent collection are separated between three distinct galleries, though they are occasionally moved for traveling exhibits.

Gallery I is filled with a brilliant collection of Japanese art. It includes a diverse range of pieces, including gorgeous screen paintings and crystal spheres. Traveling exhibits are also usually on display in this gallery.

An incredible collection of Chinese art is housed in Gallery II. A key draw of this part of the museum is the country’s biggest collection of jade sculptures, primarily from the 18th Century. It is an incredible sight to behold.

Gallery III contains the collection’s pieces from India and Southeast Asia, including an immense Mugal wall. This gallery is connected to Gallery II by a skywalk that offers an incomparable view of “The Seated Daoist Deity” fountain.

Even for people who don’t usually make a point of going to art galleries while on vacation, the Crow Museum of Asian Art presents a unique opportunity that should not be missed. There is a serenity and beauty to the place that is incomparable.