Golden Gate Gazette

The de Young Art Museum is located in Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco, CA. It ranks fourth for most-visited art museums in North America and 16th most-visited in the world. It was originally constructed as the Fine Arts Building for the California Midwinter International Exposition in 1894. The current structure was built in 2005. It is made of many natural materials including copper, stone, wood and glass. These materials and its plethora of windows help it blend in with its natural surroundings. The public observation floor provides a view of the entire Bay area. Outside there is a public sculpture garden and terrace as well as a children’s garden and a host of landscaping, which incorporates elements from the old building, including the sphinx sculptures, the original palm trees, and the Pool of Enchantment.

Their permanent collections include American paintings, American decorative art, African art, Oceanic art, textile arts, and photography. They provide research and study resources including photo services and imaging, an art study center, American art archives, and a textile study center.

The museum currently has a Marco Breuer exhibit that runs through the beginning of October 2011. Future 2011 and 2012 exhibits will include exhibits featuring Picasso, Anatolian Kilim, and Venetian painters such as Titian, Giorgione, Tintoretto, and Veronese.

The museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays. On Fridays, they are open until 8:45 PM mid-January through November. Through the end of August 2011, they are offering a Wednesday Night Discount that runs 5:00-8:45PM called Espaa at Twilight. Espaa includes a Spanish-inspired prix-fixe menu in the cafe, convenient parking, and an opportunity to view Picasso: Masterpieces from the Muse National Picasso, Paris when the museum is less crowded.

Whenever you visit de Young, make sure to check out the cafe and the museum store.