Each Spring the American Art Awards board selects the 25 Best Galleries And Museums In America.
American Art Awards: "We consider thousands of the most established art venues from across the nation. This year we awarded several museums with historical significance of 100+ years, some with over 100,000 annual visitors, some specializing in American acquisitions and others foreign antiquities. We've also selected some of the most reputable art galleries which specialize in contemporary works. In addition, we chose a few art facilities and centers dedicated to exhibiting the struggle and triumph of minorities and making an impact on their communities with inspiring educational programs."
HighlightHollywood.com reported in 2016: "The impressive AAA board chooses only one museum or gallery per state per year. Their selections are based on years established, industry reputation, online buzz, location, size, socially relevant exhibits, motivational and educational programs, represented artists as well as artist, client and visitor references."
Why did the American Art Awards select LIK galleries (LIK LAHAINA and LIK WAIKIKI) as Best Gallery Or Museum In Hawaii this year - two years in a row?
American Art Awards: "Peter Lik is one of the most famous artists alive and certainly the most successful photographer. His works make up four of the top 20 most expensive photographs ever sold. An aesthetic genius known for photos of intrigue and balance and composition and vivid color compliments, these discernments ascend his camera to design three-dimensional galleries which carry Lik's distinct look of excellence in environment. His love of nature shows in the materials constructing his Hawaiian showplaces, and gels brilliantly with the rich tropics outside - as well as the lush landscapes in his framed photographs. We salute Lik's keen eye and unparalleled commercial accomplishments and proclaim LIK LAHAINA and LIK WAIKIKI as Best Gallery Or Museum In Hawaii, 2017, and among our 25 Best Galleries And Museums In America."
LIK LAHAINA: Immediately feel the “aloha spirit” as you enter. Residing in the nostalgic Bank of Hawaii building for over a decade, LIK LAHAINA is practically an institution in Maui’s charming Historical District. On one of the state’s most well-kept streets, this fine art gallery adds a touch of beauty with incredible landscape images of tranquil shorelines and raging waterfalls.
LIK WAIKIKI: In the cozy Beach Walk section of the island, you will find Peter Lik’s installment of fine art photography among quaint shops, bars, and restaurants. An inviting glass facade and beautiful hardwood floor set the tone for iconic landscape images of vast canyons and fiery volcanoes.
12 LIK GALLERIES: Peter Lik has 12 exceptional gallery locations throughout the world. The Australian TV star is a household name and has sold upwards of $500 million of artwork to many valued collectors, including royalty, presidents and celebrities. The 2014 sale of his B&W photo titled “Phantom” (a ghostlike shape at an Arizona canyon) for $6,500,000.00 is the highest sum ever paid in its genre.
Lik’s passion for photography began during his childhood in Australia, where he grew up the son of Czech immigrants. He took his first photo at eight years old after his parents gave him a Brownie Kodak camera and he snapped a picture of a spider web in his backyard. In 1984, the then-25-year-old moved to the U.S., where he developed a passion for landscape photography and the panoramic camera. Lik has spent over 30 years pushing the boundaries of fine art. A self-taught pioneer in the field of landscape photography, he has become synonymous with pristine images of cascading waterfalls, ethereal mountain peaks and peaceful desert canyons. Amongst the hundreds of prestigious accolades and merits garnered over the years, Lik has been awarded the title of Master Photographer from both the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He has also been awarded fellowships from the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP), The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) and most recently The American Society of Photographers (ASP).Lik’s masterworks include “Pele’s Whisper,” “Sacred Sunrise,” “Eternal Beauty” and the highly acclaimed “Ghost.” Lik’s images can be viewed in luxurious hotels, prominent estates, leading corporate offices and in all of his galleries around the United States.
WEB SITE: http://www.lik.com/
www.AmericanArtAwards.com annually awards 25 museums and galleries in Spring, and with their critique in Autumn, awards 300 artists (painters, photographers, sculptors and digital artists.).
ALL 25 BEST GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS, AND INFO ON ENTERING AMERICAN ART AWARDS, HERE: http://www.americanartawards.com/25-best-state-galleries-2017/
BEST IN PENNSYLVANIA -- JAMES A. MICHENER ART MUSEUM. "... 40,000 sq. ft.... world-class group of paintings... permanent collection of more than 2,800 objects... accredited world-class facility... diverse program of educational activities... more than 135,000 annual visitors..." http://www.michenerartmuseum.org/
BEST IN LOUISIANA -- NEWCOMB ART MUSEUM. "... legacy of education, social enterprise, and artistic experience. Presenting inspiring exhibitions and programs that engage communities... founded in 1886... recognizes the contributions of women to the fields of art and design...." http://newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu/
BEST IN ILLINOIS -- HILLIGOSS GALLERIES. "Chicago’s Premier Art Gallery for 20+ years. The two-story 8,500 sq. ft. gallery is the epitome of a well-oiled machine... perfect marriage of artist, collector and setting... original paintings by the world's finest living artists, as well as fine prints by historic and 20th century masters." http://www.hilligossgalleriesil.com/
BEST IN NEVADA -- THE METROPOLITAN GALLERY OF LAS VEGAS ART MUSEUM. "... over 20,000 sq. ft.... intellectual excellence and leadership... dedicated to raising awareness... promotes an understanding and appreciation of art by making accessible to the public fine art exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events... local, regional and international artists... " http://mglv.org/
BEST IN KENTUCKY -- E&S GALLERY. "... professionalism, reputation, gallery space, exhibitions, artist roster and clientele ... 11,000 sq. ft. gallery, custom framing and art publishing... African American art with an unmatched selection of artists, medium, subject matter, and genres. ... " http://www.eandsgallery.com/
BEST IN MISSISSIPPI -- OHR-O'KEEFE ART MUSEUM. "...just as Ohr (1857-1918) rose from devastating personal and professional loss to create an extraordinary body of work, so too the Ohr-O’Keefe has risen from Hurricane Katrina’s destruction... diverse cultural heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast... compelling exhibitions and educational experiences......" http://georgeohr.org/
BEST IN NEBRASKA -- KIECHEL FINE ART. "...few have the roster and esteem as Keichel... discerning eye... three story four gallery showplace... many of the top Midwestern Contemporary artists... " http://www.kiechelart.com/
BEST IN COLORADO -- COLORADO SPRINGS FINE ART CENTER. "132,000 sq. ft... one of the only multi-discipline arts institutions... For nearly 100 years, the top cultural attraction of the Pikes Peak region... world’s finest art... extraordinary visceral experiences..." http://www.csfineartscenter.org/
BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA -- SOUTH DAKOTA ART MUSEUM. "Since 1970... artistic legacy of South Dakota in all its diversity. Harvey Dunn, Native American art, Marghab Linens... 7,000 objects in its collection..." http://www.sdstate.edu/south-dakota-art-museum/
BEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA -- MARY MARTIN GALLERY OF FINE ART. "... excellence and steady expansion... museum quality art including bronze and stone sculptures, original oil and acrylic paintings, extraordinary watercolors... number one tourist destination in America... on par with Beverly Hill’s Rodeo Drive and NY’s Fifth Avenue..." http://www.marymartinart.com/
BEST IN UTAH -- MEYER GALLERY. "... over 50 years, a contemporary art icon in Utah. The building (former First National Bank of Utah) is listed with the National Register of Historic Places and on the Park City Museum's Historic district tour. Featuring both representational and abstract works... " https://www.meyergallery.com/
BEST IN NEW MEXICO -- BLUE RAIN GALLERY. "...Santa Fe's exceptional exhibitor of all factions of art... pieces from noted glass artisans to bronze sculptures and wood sculptures to two-dimensional works, artisans contribute elegant to elemental, neo-traditional to transcendental, neo-tribal to contemporary Native American... " http://blueraingallery.com/
BEST IN MISSOURI -- UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI MUSEUM OF ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY. "...Stunning collections across a wide range of cultures... Greek, Roman, Near Eastern art works, ancient Egypt, Byzantium, Asian, African, Ancient Americas, and Oceanic cultures... important collections in European and American art from the fifteenth century to the present... " https://maa.missouri.edu/
BEST IN CALIFORNIA -- CODA GALLERY. "A Palm Dessert landmark for thirty years, this contemporary El Paseo gallery has a vast collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, glass, and ceramic works by a wide range of established, mid-career, and emerging artists..." http://www.codagallery.com/
BEST IN OREGON -- ROGER YOST GALLERY. "Located in a 1927 art deco tower in the heart of Downtown Salem, Oregon’s capital city... more than 7500 sq. ft.. of exhibit space featuring paintings and sculpture from Lithuania, The Czech Republic, Vietnam, France, Germany, Argentina, Russia, Spain, UK, Budapest and Hollywood. A second location coastal version in Newport..." http://www.rogeryostgallery.com/
BEST IN HAWAII -- LIK LAHAINA, LIK WAIKIKI. "Peter Lik has 12 exceptional gallery locations and is the most successful photographer in the world... sold upwards of $500 million of artwork... The 2014 sale of his B&W photo titled “Phantom” (a ghostlike shape at an Arizona canyon) for $6,500,000.00 is the highest sum ever paid in its genre. Astoundingly, Lik’s works make up four of the top 20 most expensive photographs ever sold." http://www.lik.com/galleries.html
BEST IN MAINE -- PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART. "Cultural heart of Portland... significant holdings of American, European, and contemporary art, as well as iconic works from Maine... a steadfast commitment to their community and region... their high level of attention to the complexity of art and history exemplifies respect for artwork and art makers..." http://www.portlandmuseum.org/
BEST IN CONNECTICUT -- BRUCE MUSEUM. "113 years... high on a hill overlooking Greenwich Harbor... nearly 15,000 objects: paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, multimedia compositions... accreditation from the American Association of Museums, an honor granted to fewer than 5% of all museums. Voted the best museum in Fairfield County... " https://brucemuseum.org/
BEST IN FLORIDA -- ART FUSION GALLERIES. "8,000 sq. ft.... in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood Art District... preeminent gallery in Miami for integrating the best of Emerging to Mid-Career Contemporary artists... represents over 1,000... " http://www.artfusiongalleries.com/
BEST IN INDIANA -- HAAN MANSION MUSEUM OF INDIANA ART. "Holds the most extensive Indiana art collection in the US, including paintings from the Hoosier Group and Brown County Art Colony. Specializing in major oils, over 100 artists are represented. Haan is a true find; a rare hospitable time-capsule cradling a precious past." http://haanmuseum.org/
BEST IN VIRGINIA -- WILLIAMSBURG ART GALLERY. "Located on Merchants Square along Duke of Gloucester Street in beautiful downtown Williamsburg, Virginia... Historic Triangle... a natural and inspiring home for art, dedicated to showcasing the beauty of the region as depicted by local as well as international artists, including exceptional work of Russian modern masters... a crossroads for art." http://www.wmbgartgallery.com/
BEST IN GEORGIA -- HATHAWAY CONTEMPORARY GALLERY. "A premier contemporary art gallery located on the Westside of Atlanta. They give space to the cutting-edge artists of today to express creative voice and explore societal issues... committed to building a supportive, sustaining community for the arts." http://www.hathawaygallery.com/
BEST IN ARIZONA -- BENTLEY GALLERY. "For 30+ years, Bentley Gallery in Phoenix has been synonymous with contemporary painting and sculpture in the Southwestern U.S.... mid-career and museum-collected artists from the states and Europe, as well as ancient art and artifacts... Chinese bi and cong from the Neolithic period co-exist seamlessly with contemporary works..." http://www.bentleygallery.com/