Museum, Art of the Himalayas
http://www.rmanyc.org/
150 West 17th Street – Chelsea

The RMA features art specifically from the Himalayas.  There are usually a few diverse exhibitions happening simultaneously which cover the modern as well as the ancient.   There are a variety of mediums  from traditional paintings and textiles to three dimensional sculptures and ritual objects. They have film, dance and live music there as well.  It is a wonderful place to spend a few free hours.

We have long been fans of the Rubin Museum of Art.  It opened back in 2004, the very same year we moved into Chelsea.  Admission is $10 and membership is $65 for an individual or $85 for a dual membership.  The museum is small, but has a continuous flow of Exhibitions as well as interesting Programs and Education.  They have an excellent cafe serving the cuisine of the Himalayas such as rice bowls, samosas, and momo dumplings.  They also have Himalayan Happy Hour on Wednesday evenings.

The gift shop also offers limited edition prints, Himalayan jewelry, art, crafts and a large selection of books.  We recently stumbled upon a limited edition print we fell in love with.  It turned out to be by Milton Glaser, a famous NYC graphic designer who is best known for creating the I ♥ NY logo and co-founding New York Magazine.  He did an exclusive silkscreen print for the RMA which sells there for $250.  On miltonglaserworks.com, it sells for $750! There are 200 copies.  We bought #77.  Let’s assume he is selling #1.  Trust me, we are generally not buyers of art, but this was a stunning piece. And at 45 we are officially adults who need to get some art on the walls.  The jpeg does not do it justice.