This weekend is the last chance to see the current “mega-exhibition” at the American Visionary Art Museum, the last one co-founder Rebecca Alban Hoffberger curated while she was director.
“Healing & the Art of Compassion (And the Lack Thereof!)” will close on Sept. 4 to make way for a new exhibit opening next month.
Since it debuted in 1995 as America’s “official national museum for self-taught, intuitive artistry,” AVAM typically has presented one mega-exhibition per year, starting just after Labor Day and running for 11 months.
Hoffberger, who retired in April as the only director in the museum’s history, has said the “Healing” exhibit constitutes “my final love song before my retirement.”
Hoffberger’s replacement as museum director, Jenenne Whitfield, is scheduled to start on Sept. 6. Hoffberger has said she will be available to help with the transition.
The chief curator for the next major exhibit is AVAM curatorial and development coordinator Gage Branda. “ABUNDANCE: Too Much, Too Little, Just Right (Championing good, honest work from the hand and the heart)” will open to the public on Oct. 8 and run through Sept. 3, 2023. Between Sept. 7 and Oct. 8, the museum’s second floor will be closed to the public and admission will be offered at a discounted rate.
AVAM is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 800 Key Highway. Advance, online purchase of a timed ticket is recommended for visitors. AVAM is warning that the Maryland Cycling Classic race may cause traffic delays around the museum on Sept. 4. The museum’s website is www.avam.org.
