Navigation Menu
The Dennos Museum Center
Hero image

Ten Distinct Galleries. One Amazing Experience.

Temporary Exhibitions

The Dennos Museum Center regularly presents new temporary exhibitions every 2-4 months, seeking to engage, entertain, and enlighten our campus and community audiences. No two visits are ever the same! 

solo e tutti: A Celebration of Community

March 12 — September 1, 2024

Inspired by the musical phrases "Solo e Tutti," which translates to "alone" and "everyone," this collection of works offers a new take on the concept of community, reflecting the diversity of backgrounds that make up the students at the Interlochen Arts Academy.

 

LOUISE JONES: 10,000 FLOWERS

June 21 — September 1, 2024

10,000 Flowers showcases new works by Jones drawing inspiration from still life and landscape traditions such as Trompe-l'œil (the illusion of three dimensional space), Vanitas (themes of mortality), scientific botanical illustration, and cityscapes.

 

MICHIGAN WATER COLOR SOCIETY 77TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION

June 21 — September 1, 2024

Founded in 1946, The Michigan Water Color Society  is a statewide organization whose mission is to promote a stronger interest and awareness of water media, maintain high standards artistically, and further education of water media in the contemporary arts. As part of their mission, the Michigan Water Color Society holds an annual juried exhibition in different areas of the state, sharing exciting new water media art created by Michigan based artists.

 

HARD EDGES, VIBRANT COLORS: OP ART FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

June 21 — September 1, 2024

Hard Edges, Vibrant Colors offers over a dozen works from the Dennos Museum Center’s permanent art collection—many of which have never been exhibited before.

Permanent Exhibitions

In addition to temporary galleries, the Dennos Museum Center curates six distinct permanent collection galleries with something for everyone to enjoy. From modern and contemporary Inuit art to the popular hands-on discovery gallery for children, bring your friends and family or enjoy a quiet moment in the galleries.

 

BARBARA AND DUDLEY SMITH WING FOR INUIT ART & POWER FAMILY INUIT GALLERY

Since 1991, the Dennos Museum Center's core collection of Inuit art has been on permanent exhibit. The Power Family Inuit Gallery, named in 1995 for their generous support of Inuit art and the Dennos Museum Center's collection, has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to view, explore, and discuss contemporary Inuit art. With the opening of the Barbara & Dudley Smith Wing for Inuit Art in 2018, this unique collection of over 1,600 objects has additional capacity for exhibition, education, and programs.

DIANA AND RICHARD MILOCK WING

EUGENE A. JENNEMAN GALLERY

 

JANIS FAMILY PROMENADE

Thanks to a generous lead gift from Diana and Richard Milock, the Dennos Museum Center dedicated an additional 10,000 square feet of semi-permanent exhibition space in spring 2018. These galleries see selected rotations several times a year, drawn from a permanent collection of over 1,500 artworks by regional, national, and international artists.

 

THOMAS A. RUTKOWSKI DISCOVERY GALLERY

The Dennos Museum Center's 2,000 square foot Thomas A. Rutkowski Discovery Gallery offers over a dozen "hands-on" interactives related to the arts and sciences for children and adults. From a laser harp and a sound wall to a giant lightbright board, the gallery offers something for kids of all ages. The recent re-installation of the Gallery in 2018 focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS

Dinosaur by William Allen

Friends of the Triassic by Brianne Farley

 

ZIMMERMAN SCULPTURE COURT

A beautiful sunken courtyard space centrally located in the museum, the Zimmerman sculpture court hosts art installations, highlights from the permanent collection, and event rentals and receptions.

 

Outdoor Sculpture Collection

Spread throughout the campuses of Northwestern Michigan College, the Dennos Museum Center's outdoor sculpture collection provides visitors with an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and enjoy 14 outdoor sculptures in beautiful Traverse City.

 

Traverse City Art Banner Project

The Traverse City Art Banner Project was the brainchild of former NMC Art Department Chair Paul Welch. These reproduction banners feature artwork by regional artists, former NMC art students, and the Dennos Museum Center permanent collections. 

The project was supported by private donors who provide funding for printing and installation. Services provided by Britten Studios

View Traverse City Art Banner Project locations in a larger map.


Support provided by:

MCACANEA