When in Austin, Visit the Laguna Gloria Art Museum

If you are ever in the Austin area, you must definitely visit the Laguna Gloria Art Museum. The museum is one of the most popular museums in the area and one of the most beautiful at that, too. With its historic Italian villa style, the museum’s original intention was to become the home of Stephen Austin, the centerpiece in the sprawling grounds of the site. That never happened, though, and the property was later sold in 1914 to the husband and wife tandem of Hal Sevier and Clara Driscoll.

The couple built a home for themselves two years after the purchase and their original villa became what was to become then the Austin Museum of Art. The lady of the house, Clara Driscoll, was the prime mover in developing the surrounding areas into a veritable showcase of flora – flowering plants, trees, foliage that complemented the Italian-style villa of the couple. Half a century later, their home was converted in 1961 to a museum. It was a fitting structure to house art in various forms and soon enough, the place became known for its art exhibits and other attractions.

The Laguna Gloria Art Museum became the gathering place of social aficionados of art events, fundraisers, and charities. With its exotic gardens and wide spaces – there is even an amphitheater and a gazebo, too – varied events can be held on the grounds or indoors.

The museum is such a hit that it had to expand. Two decades after its conversion into a museum, a 5,300 square foot art school was built in 1983. Nine years later, it became formally known as the Austin Museum of Art. Even when the Austin Museum had to relocate years later, the original Laguna Gloria still retained the school for the arts which even renovated to feature more exhibition halls for both local and regional artists’ works.

Why go there

The original mistress of the place, Clara Driscoll, was behind the development of the Laguna Gloria. Not content to merely making a home for herself and her husband, Clara’s passion for gardening prompted her to make the grounds a veritable exhibit of flowering plants and all sorts of greeneries. Statues and monuments of grace and beauty dot the grounds combining the Texas landscape with exotic European touch. History and art can be seen in every aspect of the Laguna Gloria.

How to get there

Check out the National Register of Historic Places; Laguna Gloria is listed there. Fifteen miles from Congress on downtown Austin, the Laguna Gloria lies to the west of the Mapac Expressway intersection of Loop One. With its acres and acres of landscape, with some portions bordering Lake Austin, you won’t miss it. It is near Mayfield Park and Camp Mabry.

Definitely must see

If you are looking for nature, history, the arts all rolled into one, you must definitely visit the Laguna Gloria Art Museum in Austin. Catch an exhibit or fundraising event there, and enjoy the artworks, the lush gardens, the serene surrounding areas.

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Joe Cline writes articles for real estate Rollingwood. Other articles written by the author related to Austin Remax REALTOR and Remax Austin can be found on the net.

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