Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum
- 400 Worrell Drive
- Charlottesville, VA 22911
- Phone: (434) 244-0234
- Email: kluge-ruhe@virginia.edu
- Fax: (434) 244-0235
- Website: Click to Visit Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum
The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is the only museum in the United States dedicated to the exhibition and study of Australian Aboriginal Art. Working with living artists, international scholars and arts professionals, we provide a wide range of learning experiences to the University community and the public through exhibition, research and educational programs.
The museum was established through a gift by American businessman John W. Kluge in 1997. Influenced by the Dreamings exhibition in New York, Kluge began collecting Aboriginal art in 1988. He compiled one of the finest private collections of Australian Aboriginal art in the world with a focus on contemporary works from Arnhem Land and the Western Desert. In 1993, Kluge purchased the collection and archives of the late Professor Edward L. Ruhe of Lawrence, Kansas. Ruhe began collecting Aboriginal art while visiting Australia as a Fulbright Scholar in 1965. He exhibited his collection widely in the United States between 1966 and 1977. Ruhe’s library and archives comprise the core of the Kluge-Ruhe Study Center.
Free admission and parking. Open to the public.
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm; Sunday, 1 – 5 pm
Amenities
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Bus Parking:
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Casual Dress:
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Child Friendly:
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Handicapped Accessible:
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Smoke Free Environment:
General
- Addl Info Tour Planners: We offer a free guided tour every Saturday at 10:30 am.
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Free Admission:
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Location: Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection
- Dates: Recurring every week day until December 16, 2016
Categories: Arts, University of Virginia
This is an exhibition of drawings, prints and photographs by Australian Aboriginal artist Damien Shen (Ngarrindjeri, Chinese). These works tell the story of the hallowed Aboriginal body and its desecration when colonial scientists stole Aboriginal remains to collect them for research. Drawing works from two different series of his work, Shen... more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Dates: Recurring weekly on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Categories: Arts
Bonza is Australian slang for ‘great’. For one week only, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection is selling all of its bonza merchandise at a 10% discount to community members, and a 15% discount to Kluge-Ruhe members! Support Australian Aboriginal artists in remote communities and your local non-profit museum at the same time by... more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Dates: Recurring weekly on Saturday
Categories: Arts
Join the Kluge-Ruhe Collection each Saturday at 10:30 am for a free, guided tour of the museum's current exhibitions. No reservations required. more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Location: Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection
- Dates: Recurring monthly on the 1st until December 1, 2016
Categories: Arts, University of Virginia
This is an exhibition of drawings, prints and photographs by Australian Aboriginal artist Damien Shen (Ngarrindjeri, Chinese). These works tell the story of the hallowed Aboriginal body and its desecration when colonial scientists stole Aboriginal remains to collect them for research. Drawing works from two different series of his work, Shen... more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Dates: Recurring monthly on the 1st Tuesday
Categories: Arts, Family
Join the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection for this two part early visual literacy program, featuring a brief tour focusing on basic elements of visual art followed by multi-sensory structured play for children ages two to four and social play for babies. Ages 6 months to four. Crying babies welcome. more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Location: Kluge-Ruhe Collection
- Dates: October 6, 2016
Categories: Arts
Come enjoy a reception at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection to celebrate the exhibition of artist-in-residence, Damien Shen. The exhibition, On the Fabric of the Ngarrindjeri Body, is composed of drawings, prints and photographs by Australian Aboriginal artist Damien Shen (Ngarrindjeri, Chinese). These works tell the story of the hallowed Aboriginal body... more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Location: Kluge-Ruhe Collection
- Dates: October 8, 2016
Categories: Arts
Participate in a full tour of the Kluge-Ruhe Collection's newest exhibition, On the Fabric of the Ngarrindjeri Body, led by the artist, Damien Shen. The exhibition is composed of drawings, prints and photographs by Australian Aboriginal artist Damien Shen (Ngarrindjeri, Chinese). These works tell the story of the hallowed Aboriginal body and its... more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Location: Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection
- Dates: October 15, 2016
Categories: Educational
Portraits are a way of honoring and remembering the people in our lives. Join us for a hands-on drawing workshop led by our fall visiting resident artist Damien Shen, in conjunction with local portrait artist Frank Walker. Damien and Frank will give a brief introduction to their own work and then lead a workshop on drawing portraits. All levels... more
- Address: 400 Worrell Drive
- Location: Kluge-Ruhe Collection
- Dates: October 27, 2016
Categories: Arts
Join Australian Aboriginal artist, Damien Shen, for a talk on the history of his artistic practice. On the Fabric of the Ngarrinderi Body, an exhibition of his work, is currently on display at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection of Aboriginal Art. These works tell the story of the hallowed Aboriginal body and its desecration when colonial scientists stole... more
