Located in Potomac, Maryland, Glenstone is a private contemporary art museum founded by billionaire couple Mitchell and Emily Wei Rales in 2006. The museum, consisting of over 200 acres of land, aims to integrate post-World War II art with architecture and nature.
“We envision Glenstone not only as a place, but as a state of mind created by the energy of architecture, the power of art, and the restorative qualities of nature”
- Emily & Mitchell Rales
Glenstone’s minimalist brutalist aesthetic is immediately visible from just the parking lot. At the museum’s entrance, the arrival hall, you’ll be greeted by welcoming staff donning slightly dystopian monochromatic grey attire, who will check for your tickets (which are free, but you should reserve them in advance) and hand you a map + guide. The whole museum is laid out like a trail. It takes roughly 2-4 hours to walk through, depending on walking speed and time taken looking at the art and architecture, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
The way Glenstone is designed is quite beautiful. Amongst the natural environment of lush green grass and rows of tall trees, Glenstone's buildings stick out. Yet, despite how initially jarring the modern grey cubes of concrete are, everything fits together. Rather than hurting the eyes, Glenstone's landscape merges the artificial and the natural, allowing visitors to step into a serene alternate world.
The first batch of buildings you’ll approach is called the Pavilions. It houses the main exhibits alongside a few iconic outdoor installations, such as the Compression Line (1968/2016) by Micheal Heizer. From there, you decide which of the numerous galleries and installations to explore next. There are even two fancy little cafes, the Café and the Patio, for fuel as you manage your way through the 3+ miles of the Glenstone trail.
The art at Glenstone is unique and allegorical. I tend to gravitate towards art labels for context, but at Glenstone, they offer little guidance, encouraging visitors to form their own understanding and messaging of the art.
Unfortunately, they don’t allow photos in indoor exhibits, so you’ll have to visit yourself to get the full effect. Take a look at the museum’s page to browse the current exhibitions. Some of my favorite past exhibits include Doris Salcedo’s laborious pieces of furniture and Martin Puryear’s striking red cap. Both of these artists use abstract vessels to address modern-day concerns spanning human rights to government corruption.
Of all the art at Glenstone, my favorite is the giant rocking horse/dinosaur hybrid made from flowers, Split-Rocker (2000) by Jeff Koons. Luckily, it is a permanent installation at Glenstone, but the sculpture changes year-round. It blooms in May-October, so see it at its best while you can!
The natural surroundings are like their own work of art, making Glenstone a truly immersive and restorative experience. I recommend going even just for a pleasant stroll.
To summarize, Glenstone is a must-visit if you’re in the area. The combination of art, architecture, and nature is a refreshing break from society, but don’t mistake tranquility for dullness, as the art is anything but. And if you’ve already been, consider revisiting, as their new exhibits never fail to surprise me.
“We hope that Glenstone will always be a destination for all who seek meaningful encounters with art, architecture, and nature— for many years to come”
- Emily & Mitchell Rales