Mead Art Museum

The Mead Art Museum of Amherst College is part of Museums 10, a consortium of local museums (some of which I previously blogged in the Belch blog).  It holds the art collection of the college and includes works by Homer, Rubens, and Monet, as well as Japanese wood art, South African sculpture, Russian modernist art, and local artist pieces.

Mr. Madley and I have made 2 visits to this small art museum in the last few months.  The first was an introductory visit to see a special Goya exhibit.  The second visit was to hear a talk on the new Orra White Hitchcock exhibit, wife of Edward Hitchcock, former president of the college. 
The museum is beautiful, each exhibit room painted a different color.  There is a beautiful reconstructed walnut-paneled room from 1611 that is filled with medieval, baroque, and renaissance art, and at least 8 more galleries with displays (and comfy chairs).  The art is lovely and varied, and the pieces are rotated periodically (as they should be).  Visit this link to see what's on view now.
The museum also regularly hosts events including lectures, meditations, poetry slams, demonstrations, gallery talks, and even tai chi!

The museum is free and open to the public (which is wonderful).  Check hours and accessibility here.  I would definitely recommend considering a visit -- it's an especially good thing to do during the cold winter (it's well heated and has great hours).
Lost on campus?  Find the museum by looking for the Stearns Steeple.