Discover the Art of Pensacola – Museums & Art Galleries
While Pensacola, Florida seems like a charming, quaint city, when it comes to arts and entertainment, Pensacola knows how to make a scene. The city hosts all sorts of cultural experiences in its historic downtown core.
Visitors have the opportunity to experience and appreciate more than just the renowned white-sand beaches here. If you want to explore some of Pensacola’s arts, go to a musical performance, catch a theater show, admire the dancing, listen to live music, or visit some of the galleries in the area.
The city of Pensacola is more than 450 years old and has a rich history that can be explored both indoor and outdoors. There are no static museums here; they are all breathtaking, interactive, and engaging for all ages. Local museums will entertain and educate you on topics such as the history of Florida, Pensacola’s diverse past, the history of naval aviation, and so much more. Explore Pensacola by going on ghost tours, reliving Colonial times, climbing historical forts, and crawling into cockpits.
The centers for arts are diverse here as well, and visitors can find everything from traditional museums and art galleries, to modern ones, and a handful of galleries and shops down along Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. These venues show off the imaginations and talents of local artists who have produced everything from incredible photographs to unique, handcrafted jewelry.
Art Galleries
You’ll find all kinds of works of art in Pensacola’s education centers, galleries, and museums, from traditional to modern, to funky and everything in between. Visit the Pensacola Museum of Art to lose yourself in more than 600 incredible works of art on display. The museum has a permanent collection of a mix of 20th- and 21st-century works of art by regional, national, and international artists such as John James Audubon, Andy Warhol, and Pablo Picasso. The Pensacola Museum of Art also has rotating exhibits that entertain and enlighten both children and adults, and exhibitions that are gear toward families in the summer months.
The Artel Gallery houses funky one of a kind paintings, photographs, and sculptures year-round. At the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, you’ll find contemporary art as well as a teaching gallery for students in the Visual Arts program at Pensacola State College. This arts center is on its way to becoming a regional hub for national exhibits and visiting artists. In fact, it’s already attracted exhibitions from Christo and Steve McCurry.
Museums
There is no shortage of fun and educational museums in Pensacola. Head to Historic Pensacola Village for walking tours of the village filled with historic churches and homes. You’ll get to see costumed guides make candles, brew Native American black tea, and cook!
Stop on by the National Naval Aviation Museum to see over 150 restored military aircraft on display. The museum includes rides, climbable Blue Angel jets, and an IMAX theater. Or hop over to the VOICES of Pensacola multicultural center to learn about the diverse people that played a part in Pensacola’s history.
When you’re ready to see the art of nature, head on over to Rock Bottom Charters. We specialize in catching fish, and our goal is to make sure you and your family have the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Image from Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
