The American Visionary Art Museum – Baltimore, Maryland - Atlas Obscura
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The American Visionary Art Museum

Baltimore, Maryland

A museum dedicated to exhibiting remarkable outsider art. 

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Cosmic Galaxy Egg Avoiding Regret
O SAY CAN YOU SEE Avoiding Regret
"Aurora Borealis" wall Avoiding Regret
"Giant Whirligig" by Vollis Simpson Avoiding Regret
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The art of farmers, postmen, the mentally ill, art done in secretly in the attic—all get equal billing at Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum. It’s a refreshing look at creativity and projects made far, far outside the “art world.”

Don’t miss the Giant Whirligig & Sculpture Plaza. The 55-foot tall central wind-powered sculpture was created by Vollis Simpson, a 76 year-old farmer from North Carolina who made his first whirligig to power a washing machine while he was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. The museum also features a 16-foot model of the Lusitania made entirely from toothpicks, and is host to the incredible Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race.

And remember to exit through the gift shop, which houses a display almost as captivating as the museum itself.

We explored AVAM on Obscura Day - March 20th, 2010. Photos, stories and more here

Know Before You Go

The Museum is open all week except for Mondays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission for adults is $15.95.

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