The Norton Simon Museum

The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is one of those gems in Southern California that makes museum going fun to do with the family. Being a medium sized museum, it's not too time consuming to walk through and it has a fantastic collection to boot.

Located in Pasadena, The Norton Simon Museum was originally designed in 1964 by Thornton Ladd and John KelseyArchitects. Since then, it has been modified and added onto by artist Edith Heath, architects Craig Ellwood, Frank Gehry, and Gensler and Associates.

The Museum houses and amazing permanent art collection by well known artists, and has rotating exhibits of artwork from other museums' collections. Last year, we saw a wonderful collection of Hokusai's wood block prints from Japan. Currently, Lessons of the Cherry Blossom: Japanese Woodblock Prints is on exhibit until September 3, 2012. Among others, it features prints by Utagawa Hiroshige, Totoya Hokkei and Chōbunsai Eishi.

Another exhibit on display is Significant Objects: The Spell of Still Life. Drawing on the Norton Simon Museum's own collections, the exhibition "explores the wealth of aesthetic and conceptual artistic strategies that challenge the shortsighted view of still life as simply an art of imitation." On display are works by Picasso, Chardin, Cezanne, and many others. The artistry of these still life paintings are just mind boggling.

Then, there is the garden of the Norton Simon Museum. Serene and intimate, the lush grounds have sculptures dotted throughout and a water feature running through the garden. It takes about 10 minutes to walk through, but you feel transported to a different world.

This is one of the most beautify and intimate museums in Southern California with a world class collection of artwork. Treat yourself and go visit the Norton Simon Museum this year.

The Norton Simon Museum
411 West Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91105-1825