Museums
The Museums at W&L advance learning through direct engagement with the collections and facilitate an interdisciplinary appreciation of art, history, and culture.
Museums at Washington and Lee University
The Museums at W&L consist of the University Chapel & Galleries, the Reeves Museum of Ceramics, and Watson Galleries. Works from the ceramics, art and history collections are also on view in several campus buildings.
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Arts
Plan Your Visit
Visit the Museums
Visit on your own or with a group, reserve a space for an event, or find out how you can help support our mission.
University, K12, and Community
Learn with the Museums
The Museums at W&L hold exhibitions, lectures, classes, and events throughout the year. These events, along with the collections, provide ample opportunities to integrate museum learning into academic life.
Online Resources
Explore the Collections
The Museums at W&L is committed to making the collections more accessible for viewing and research.
Museum Highlights
Check out the latest programming and announcements from the Museums at W&L!
Stephanie Shih, 2023, Inaugural Artist-in-Residence
Artist-In-Residence Program
The Artist-in-Residence, an inaugural program at the Museums at Washington and Lee University, is an opportunity for an invited artist to pursue artistic projects that bring new knowledge and fresh perspectives inspired by the Museums' art collection.
Check Out What Some of our Alumni are Doing in the Field
Alumni Highlight - Padget Sutherland '17
Featuring Padget Sutherland, an Art History and Classics double major, now working for the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a Development Officer for the Director's Office.
"Inscapes" Pairings by WLU Students
Listen and Reflect at Watson Galleries
"I felt drawn to this piece because the blooming yellow centrality reminded me of a garden bursting forth with life. The splatters of yellows on green and purple feel explosive and full of energy, but the surrounding muted blues and greens balance out this feeling into something slower, more dignified. This harmony led me to choose a song that feels the same, hopeful and swelling with life that moves along a measured, growing path.”
Check Out What Some of our Alumni are Doing in the Field
Alumni Highlight
Featuring India Dial, an Art History major and Museum Studies minor, now working for Christie’s Auction House in New York City as a Junior Specialist in the Decorative Arts Department, specializing in Ceramics and Asian Works of Art.
Museums at W&L in the News
News from the collections, exhibits, galleries, and more
The Museums at W&L Celebrate International Slow Art Day
W&L will celebrate the global event on April 13 in the McCarthy Gallery.
Rachel Du of Bonhams Auction House to Deliver Lecture on the Chinese Art Market
The art specialist’s talk will be held on March 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Museums at W&L: Winter 2024 Programs and Exhibitions
The Museums at W&L invite the public to explore its exhibitions and collections with select programming through May.
W&L Students Curate Fall Art Exhibition
“Mohammad Omer Khalil: Musings,” co-curated by four Washington and Lee students as part of a seminar course in museum studies, will be on display in the Watson Galleries Sept. 28, 2023 through June 1, 2024.
Museums at W&L: Fall 2023 Programs and Exhibitions
The Museums at W&L invite the public to their opening reception for “Musings” on Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Washington and Lee’s Museum Artist-in-Residence Program welcomed photographer Stephanie Shih to campus in May to create new work based on the Museums’ art collection.
New Exhibition Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
“OPEN FLOWERS BEAR FRUIT” opens May 1 in the McCarthy Gallery in Holekamp Hall.
The Museums at W&L Celebrate International ‘Slow Art Day’
W&L will celebrate the global event on April 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Reeves Museum of Ceramics.
New Exhibition Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
“We Love Life Whenever We Can” will be on display at W&L’s Leyburn Library April 1 through Dec. 8, 2023.
The Museums at W&L invites visitors to reflect on “Born of Fire: Contemporary Japanese Women Ceramic Artists,” on display through April 29.
Museums at W&L Expands Its Collection
W&L’s most recent museum exhibition, “Mother Clay: The Pottery of Three Pueblo Women,” brought new artists into the university’s collection and connected the campus community in unexpected ways.
W&L Celebrates Women’s History Month
The campus community will recognize women’s achievements with various events throughout the month of March.