St. Louis | LASIK

In recent decades, St. Louis has gone from being a Mississippi-based manufacturing center to a city where culture and the arts are beginning to take root. From soulful blues to visual arts, St. Louis has it going on—if you know where to look.

We found 10 ways to discover great visual arts in St. Louis—and they’re all free! Check them out this summer for a whole new way to enjoy the Lou!

  1. First Fridays in Grand Center—If you don’t know where to start for great art in St. Louis, this is the spot. Grand Center, located downtown and centered around Washington Ave. and North Grand Blvd., is home to several of the most dynamic museums and galleries in town, including Art at the Met, the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, among others. Each Friday, you can tour them all for free until 9 p.m.
  2. SLAM Underground—On the last Friday of each month, the St. Louis Art Museum, located in the heart of Forest Park, hosts an evening of art, music, games and cocktails inside or out (dependent on the weather) in a celebration of art and community. There’s plenty to do for the whole family! 7­ to 10 p.m.
  3. The Foundry Art Centre—On the second Thursday of each month from June through October, step into your creative flow and let your artistic imagination soar! Local artists provide a variety of mediums and themes to help you along. You’ll also find music and a fun and supportive community.
  4. St. Louis African Arts Festival—Not only will you find beautiful handcrafted African artwork here, you’ll also enjoy great food, hands-on activities for the kids, and unique cultural experiences. The festival, held May 26-28 in 2018, is an annual event held in Forest Park, and is welcoming and diverse. There is a full schedule of events, so be sure to check the website for details.
  5. St. Louis Art Fair—Located in the heart of Clayton, the 2018 festival will be held Sept. 7-9. Live music, great food, and work from independent artists from all over the world are all part of the fun. Proceeds go to strengthen arts education and cultural communities throughout the metropolitan area.
  6. St. Louis University Museum of Art—If you are looking for unique work from today’s masters, this is the place to be. Open Wed. through Sun., this museum showcases the work of Chuck Close, Robert Motherwell, Jasper Johns, Kiki Smith, Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Dale Chihuly, and many more. It also features an extensive collection of Jesuit art and artifacts. Located at 3663 Lindell, St. Louis, in the Grand Center Arts District. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  7. Laumeier Sculpture Park and Museum—In 1968, Matilda Laumeier donated 72 acres of land to St. Louis County in memory of her husband, Henry. In 1976, local artist Ernest Trova gifted 40 works of art to begin what would become one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the country. Bring a picnic basket or just wander through the trails. Open year-round. 12580 Rott Rd., St. Louis. 8 a.m. to 30 minutes past sunset. Adjoining Aronson Fine Arts Center open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day.
  8. Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis—There is always something going on at the CAM! One of the most recognizable buildings in the Grand Center Arts District, the Contemporary Arts Museum is always free to visit, and with plenty of new installations. It will be closed until May 10, 2018 for installation of the latest exhibit, but once it’s open, there are few better places to spend a hot summer afternoon!
  9. Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts—In the early 1990s, Emily Rauh Pulitzer and Joseph Pulitzer Jr. had the vision of wanting to display their art collection while revitalizing the Grand Center arts district. They commissioned renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando to design an art museum to feature special exhibitions of modern and historic art from around the world. From incredible themed expeditions to film premieres and speakers, you’ll leave the Pulitzer with plenty to talk and think about.
  10. St. Louis Art Museum—We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention this Forest Park gem on its own merit, outside of SLAM. Once the Fine Arts Palace of the 1904 World’s Fair, the museum is one of the only remaining buildings from the fair. Its expansive collection transcends history and cultures. Admission is free every day, and featured exhibitions are free on Fridays. One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park. Tues. through Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Our team at Brinton Vision appreciates the arts, and enjoys being part of a dynamic and culturally diverse community. We take great pride in helping people to see all the world has to offer, including providing the priceless gift of clear, natural vision.

www.brintonvision.com

Dr. Jason P. Brinton is an internationally recognized specialist in the field of LASIK and refractive surgery. He is a graduate of Harvard College, earned his medical doctorate from the Harvard Medical School and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.