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USA JOURNEYS
Art Meets Fun
Dive into Museums and Creative Trails American-Style
By Josephine Matyas
A dive into the arts can include much more than traditional “highbrow” galleries. Think the art of laughter, pop culture, hands-on activities, glass and topiary sculptures. The possibilities are endless.
In under a four-hour drive from Toronto, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York is an interactive museum of comedy history with exclusive collections, state-of-the-art exhibits, and more than 50 immersive experiences. Join in the funniest scenes from TV and movies in a green screen experience dubbed “Act the Part,” or perform stand-up routines in the Comedy Karaoke Lounge.
ARTSY TOUCH Visitors can create their “Sense of Humor Profile,” which is stored on a LaughBand, a personalized digital band that scans content based on comedy preferences. ComedyCenter.org
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s great art museums, renowned for its iconic collection of 300,000 works representing 5,000 years of human creativity. Engaging programs include artist talks, hands-on art making and in-gallery discussions that connect visitors to innovative storytelling and groundbreaking research.
ARTSY TOUCH My Museum Tour is a new tool that allows visitors to create personal experiences that empower.artic.edu
There are more than 100 art stops along Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, including outstanding galleries, unique museums, and art-filled attractions like Brookgreen Gardens, with the largest collection of figurative sculptures in the U.S. The Beach’s 14 communities are filled with hidden gems, including awe-inspiring oceanfront sculptures, enormous alleyway murals, and secret underground passages filled with art.
ARTSY TOUCH The Myrtle Beach Arts and Gallery Trail is a unique way to explore the amazing art installations and collections along the entire Grand Strand. visitmyrtlebeach.com/art-gallery-trail
For those with a passion for pop culture, Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) is an unparalleled journey through music, film and gaming, housed in a striking building designed by renowned architect, Frank Gehry. Art enthusiasts will be captivated by the vibrant colours and intricate glass sculptures of legendary artist Dale Chihuly at Chihuly Garden and Glass, located next to the city’s iconic Space Needle.
ARTSY TOUCH Get the most bang for your buck during Seattle Museum Month. Each February, guests staying at one of 70+ participating downtown hotels get 50 per cent off admission to dozens of world-class museums and cultural institutions. seattlemuseummonth.com
In Greater Fort Lauderdale, the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale (look for the dripping neon paint exterior!) celebrates the visual history of civilization with over 7,500 sculptures, paintings and multimedia pieces in its outstanding collection. The museum’s permanent collection contains a large array of Latin American and Cuban modern and contemporary art, and post-war, avant-garde pieces by European Cobra artists. visitlauderdale.com/listing/nsu-art-museum-fort-lauderdale/1959/
ARTSY TOUCH The first Thursday of the month is known as Sunny Days/Starry Nights. It’s free admission, drinks are two-for-one, and it’s part of the museum’s goal to make art accessible to all.
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Discover more information on travel to the USA at visittheusa.ca
