The Arlington Museum of Art is pursuing ambitious plans to attract national exhibits and strengthen its position as the cornerstone of a growing cultural district in downtown Arlington.

The art museum is currently working with the Smithsonian and other museums to bring top quality exhibits to Arlington, including photography from the Hubble Telescope, an exhibit about the creation of the Muppets, and a Rembrandt show.

"It's exciting,' said Chris Hightower, past president and current board member. "Attracting these kinds of exhibits will really turn the page for Arlington. When families come for a football game or a baseball game, we want to keep them here for another day to experience the art, the music, the theater, and the new restaurants downtown.'

"The Arlington Museum of Art is a place where the community can come together and enjoy good art year round,' said Nancy Tice, president of the board of trustees. "We enable the public, at no cost, to view artists' work they would otherwise not be privileged to see.'

Museum Events

The art museum is hosting its annual Spring Gala and Auction on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The Spring Gala and Auction, the museum's biggest annual fundraiser, will be held at the new 1010 Collins Entertainment Center. It will feature a gourmet dinner, silent and live auction, cocktails, dancing, and a raffle for a seven night travel package to resorts in Mexico. Guests will also enjoy entertainment by national recording artist and winner of NBC's Nashville Star Melissa Lawson.

For ticket information, visit the museum's website.

One of the museum's biggest annual events, the Youth Art Exhibit, is Feb. 22 through April 1.

This year's "Youth Art Encounters' will display more than 1,500 pieces of art from AISD students in grades K-12, and is expected to draw more than 1,000 visitors.

"The student art show gives children, their parents, and grandparents an exposure to the museum, which they might not otherwise get,' said Tice. "It builds self esteem for the children, who get to see their art hung in a museum, and it can build a life-long passion for art.'

Click here to get more information on the 2012 AISD Youth Art Exhibit and schedule.

The Arlington Museum of Art is located at 201 West Main Street. For more information, visit the museum's website.

By Don Wall