Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, formerly known as the UNLV Museum of Natural History, is one of the most popular art museums in Nevada.

This museum, established back in 1967, was originally a natural history museum whose focal point was the natural history of Nevada and regions in the southwestern part of the USA.

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, Hours, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

In the years that followed after 1979, the museum’s collections increased in number. Part of the reason for this was increased the donations of varied collections that celebrated archaeology and ethnology. The most amazing aspect of these donations has got to be that the artifacts that celebrate the Native American way of life and cultures that existed during the pre-Columbian Mesoamerican era.

Today, the art museum is home to various exhibits of contemporary art in addition to the donated artifacts. It is interesting to note that the museum is housed at one of the oldest university buildings on the UNLV campus. Initially, the building was used as a gym and basketball court, but it has since been converted to a museum. A closer look at the building, reveals that the museum still has the wooden floor originally used for the court.

To get to the Marjorie Barrick Museum, visitors have to take a walk across the Xeriscape Garden. This magnificent garden is one of the most immersive parts of the campus and is home to a number of drought-tolerant plants sourced from across the world – perhaps a testament to Nevada’s desert landscape. For botanists, this is an insightful part of the museum tour.

On arrival at the museum’s lobby, one of the most obvious things you will notice is the numerous works of art installed along the walls. For visitors who had toured the museum in its early days, this is a remarkable change from the aquariums that once dotted the museum’s walls.

Make sure you visit the ArtBar, which has an array of engaging activities to enjoy. Materials required for this kind of art are typically provided by the university, but you can make a donation to help advance creativity. The museum also has an auditorium and research library for the avid art lover.

A visit to the Marjorie Barrick Museum will not disappoint and is a great learning opportunity for artists.