The Philbrook Museum of Art truly a national gem. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Philbrook is nationally recognized as one of the top 50 museums in the United States. The Philbrook is also regarded as one of the only five museums in the country that has a combination of art collections, gardens, and a historical home.

  • What are the three histories related to the Philbrook?

    • There are three histories related to the Philbrook: the home, the art museum, and the gardens.

  • Who built Villa Philbrook and when?

    • Villa Philbrook was created by Waite and Genevieve Phillips.

    • The Phillips hired Edward Buehler Delk, a prominent architect based in Kansas City, to design a mansion inspired by an Italian Renaissance home.

    • Villa Philbrook was completed in 1927 and featured a three-story mansion with steel construction and a concrete framework.

  • When was Villa Philbrook donated and why?

    • After residing in the home for approximately eleven years, the Phillips family donated Villa Philbrook and its surrounding property to the city of Tulsa.

    • Their purpose was for Villa Philbrook to become the art and cultural hotspot of Tulsa.

  • When did the Philbrook Art Museum open?

    • The Philbrook Art Museum was made possible by the teamwork of the first director, Eugene Kingman, the Tulsa Art Association, and the original art collection housed in Villa Philbrook.

    • In fall 1939, the Philbrook Art Museum officially opened to the public.

    • In 1940, official educational classes and workshops were introduced, eventually leading to the creation of the Children’s Museum in 1949.

  • How have the Philbrook gardens been maintained?

    • Since Villa Philbrook sits on approximately 23 acres of land, the surrounding areas were transformed into magnificent gardens.

    • These gardens were influenced by Villa Lante, one of Giacomo Barozzi de Vignola’s most magnificent estates.

    • Most of the gardens have been preserved to maintain their original construction, with an extension added in 2004 that expanded the gardens to the summerhouse.

  • What are the permanent attractions at the Philbrook?

    • The Philbrook is home to a variety of permanent attractions across its 23 acres.

    • Visitors can explore:

      • African Art
      • American Art
      • Antiquities
      • Asian Art
      • Decorative Arts
      • European Art
      • Modern and Contemporary Art
      • Native American Art
      • Works on Paper
  • What can visitors see in the Philbrook gardens?

    • Visitors can explore the gardens only by participating in a guided walking tour.

    • Some highlights include:

      • Sensory gardens
      • Meditative niches
      • Intricate arch designs
      • Italian-inspired architectural structures
      • A sculpture walk
      • A refurbished creek
      • A combination of native Oklahoma plants and exotic plants
  • What special exhibitions are featured at the Philbrook?

    • A Bestiary – A collection of lithographs from Elisabeth Frink and Rudy Pozzatti, on display until February 19, 2017.

    • Mike Glier – An original exhibit showcasing the hopes and fears parents have for their children, featured until April 2, 2017.

    • Text without Message – An exhibit by Christopher Wool exploring the relationship between text, abstraction, and art, displayed until April 30, 2017.

  • What educational opportunities does the Philbrook offer?

    • The Philbrook is dedicated to education and offers extensive educational programs.

    • Programs range from specialized tours for groups and schools to art classes for people of all ages, interests, and skill levels.

    • Every class at the Philbrook focuses on making art, regardless of the art form or genre.

    • Some art classes provide participants with detailed insights into a specific concentration within the Philbrook’s permanent collection, inspiring them to create their own artwork.

Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S Rockford Rd, Tulsa, OK 74114, Phone: 800-324-7941

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