Press Release  November 15, 2018

Barry Art Museum Opens Doors at Old Dominion University

Courtesy Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Va. - Old Dominion University’s Barry Art Museum opened to the public on Wednesday, November 14.

Located on the corner of Hampton Boulevard and 43rd Street in Norfolk, Va., the 24,000-square-foot museum was made possible by a gift of funds and art valued at more than $37 million from Richard and Carolyn Barry-the largest in the Old Dominion’s history.

Dave Chance Photography

Marsden Hartley, The Cagnes Road, Vence

The two-story museum's first exhibition will feature the art given by the Barrys. Their collection reflects three main areas: international glass sculpture, 20th-century American modernist paintings, historic fashion dolls and European automata.

The Barry Art Museum will focus on glass pieces from internationally renowned artists including Howard Ben Tré, Laura Donefer, Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, Dan Dailey, Ginny Ruffner, Michael Glancy, Stanislav Libenský, Jaroslava Brychtova and Harvey Littleton, the founder of the American studio glass movement.

In addition to art donated by the Barrys, the museum will feature a few works by current and former ODU faculty including A.B. Jackson, Charles Sibley and Fay Zetli n, and gifts by local donors. A gallery space is dedicated to educational activities for children and young adults developed by the ODU's Center for Educational Partnerships.

President John R. Broderick praised the Barrys for their commitment to arts education. "Their gift will elevate our efforts in the arts and inspire a new generation of artists and creative minds in our community," he said. "Through their generosity, this museum will provide a unique and valuable cultural and interdisciplinary educational resource."

Barry Museum of Art
Courtesy Old Dominion University
Barry Art Museum Interior
Courtesy Old Dominion University
Barry Art Museum interior
Courtesy Old Dominion University
Barry Art Museum exterior
Courtesy Old Dominion University

ABOUT THE BARRY ART MUSEUM
The Barry Art Museum, located at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, is an educational and cultural resource for Coastal Virginia. With pieces from important artists from around the globe, the Barry Art Museum further cements Hampton Roads as an international arts destination and extends Old Dominion’s commitment to providing arts education within a research institution. Admission is free, and the museum is open to the public.

ABOUT OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
Old Dominion University, located in the coastal city of Norfolk, is Virginia's entrepreneurial-minded doctoral research university with more than 24,200 students, rigorous academics, an energetic residential community, and initiatives that contribute $2.6 billion annually to Virginia's economy.

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