When you think of Fort Lauderdale, you probably imagine a sun-soaked beach town with bright colors and a vibrant cultural scene. It’s true that Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches, but it’s also a place where you can see some of the world’s most beautiful art. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth, take a moment to appreciate some of the area’s incredible art attractions.
Visit a Museum
The NSU Art Museum is home to the largest permanent fort lauderdale painters collection of South Florida-based artwork in the state. The Museum’s collection includes a wide range of works from ancient civilizations to modern and contemporary art. Exhibitions feature works by artists like William Glackens, Eric N. Mack, Margarita Cano and others.
NSU Art Museum is located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, a short walk to the Riverwalk and Las Olas Boulevard. The Museum is open daily and is accessible by public transportation, including the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station.
Don’t Miss the Mural Tour
The city of Fort Lauderdale is awash with evocative street art murals. Several of them can be found on the streets around downtown, and some are even featured in hotels. For a truly unique experience, check out the Fort Lauderdale Mural Tour, where you’ll explore the city’s best murals in the form of guided tours.
One of the most recognizable murals in Fort Lauderdale is Thrive by Daniel Popper. This massive, stunning, and incredibly inspiring piece, featuring a woman opening her chest to reveal a passage laden with ferns, isn’t to be missed.
Another renowned, yet lesser-known, artist to visit is Carl Brandien, who first moved to Fort Lauderdale from New York City two weeks before Pearl Harbor. He and his wife, Kathleen, loved the area so much that they were able to purchase their own studio and start creating paintings.
In addition to his murals, Brandien painted for the Friar’s Club in New York and the Russian Club in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He and his wife also painted murals for the Officers Mess Hall at West Point.
He served with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I and was honorably discharged. He also was a founding member of the International Union of Artists.
History fort lauderdale
The Historical Commission of Broward County has a number of exhibits at its museum, highlighting the economic, social and demographic changes that occurred in the region during the war years. One of the more interesting displays is called “Broward Goes to War,” which highlights some of the local military training that took place in Fort Lauderdale during World War II.
You can also find a number of historic buildings at the site of Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, where bomber pilots and other navy personnel learned to fly at naval schools. The NAS Fort Lauderdale Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and a Florida Heritage Site.
The Seminole tribe of South Florida is also known for their art, and a new exhibition at the History Fort Lauderdale pays homage to this culture through art. The gallery features paintings, clay sculptures and documentary films by contemporary Seminole artists. The exhibit is on display until Jan. 28, and is free to the public.