Have an inspiring and fulfilling museum excursion. The world-class Morris Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is in Morristown, NJ. Spend the day exploring and discovering this wonderfully curated, stimulating environment with an impressive variety of exhibitions. There is something to fascinate people of all ages and interests. We had the pleasure of visiting the galleries with the museum’s President and CEO Thomas J. Loughman whose background in business and doctorate degree in Art History makes him the ideal person to lead Morris Museum. He pointed out that the museum strives to encourage a sense of “wonderment” and it certainly succeeds.
Thomas J. Loughman (Photo courtesy of the Morris Museum)
In the Museum Court, take time to peruse Notes on Napkins: 2020. In 2020, 100 American composers were commissioned by UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance to share their visual thinking. Each composer received a toolkit of napkins and pens and a micro-commission to begin transcribing the rhythms of this extraordinary time. Gary Lichtenstein Editions produced striking prints from the results. The exhibit is conceived by Kristy Edmunds and co-curated with Pomegranate Arts. Notes on Napkins will be on display through May 17, 2026.
One of the permanent displays is the impressive Guiness Collection: Mechanical Music and Automata. From music boxes to player pianos to mechanical dolls that move you can discover a fascinating trove of mechanical musical instruments and automata. The 750 mechanical marvels in the collection span 400 years when technological advancement was transforming many aspects of human life, including how we enjoy music and art. See the exhibit soon as the 100th Anniversary of Ragtime is being highlighted through the end of December with beloved tunes.
Contemporary Volumes installation (Photo by Dawn Joseph Photography)
Contemporary Volumes is now in the main gallery through March of 2026. Bibliophiles and many more will appreciate the creativity and diversity of this exhibit. Books have long served as vessels of knowledge, storytelling, and memory. Through sculpture, installation, and mixed media, Contemporary Volumes explores how artists use the form, function, and symbolism of books to challenge conventions, reshape narratives, and expand the possibilities of both art and language. The works of nine artists from across the United States are on display that include Brian Dettmer, Colette Fu, Samuelle Green, Cheryl Gross, Amanda Love, Sarah Matthews, Cheryl R. Riley, Susan Rostow, and Diana Schmertz.
Perennial Land-The Data Forest, 2024 can be enjoyed through April 5, 2026. It is a captivating experiential installation that combines the beauty of various forest environments with the importance of data-driven insights into a human’s impact on nature. Tech and tools about resources and equity are seamlessly integrated into the environment. The vulnerability of the environment is directly related to that of certain communities. Perennial Land is an immersive site-specific video and sound installation that lasts a total of 13 minutes. Take a seat and let the presentation sweep you away.
Iconic installation (Photo courtesy of the Morris Museum)
The recently opened exhibit, Iconic: Kathleen Gilje Repaints Art History showcases the artist’s work and its relationship to the major art historical legacies of Leonardo da Vinci, Francisco Zurbaran, Gustave Courbet, and others. Gilje is a NYC-based painter (b. 1945) who trained in Italy as a conservator and is known for her liberal appropriation of the Old Master canon, presents an interesting nexus of these three approaches. Kathleen Gilje’s intriguing works will be on display through April 5, 2026.
As you tour the two floors of the museum, there’s so much more to see including paintings by renowned artists such as Georgia O’Keefe; Native American Gallery; Earth Science Gallery; Collection Highlight: Five Standout Objects; Earth & Memory: Contemporary Native; The Dodge Room; Digital Divine featuring the Works of Jo-El; and the Mega Model Train Gallery.
The Morris Museum Education Department empowers learners of all ages to think inventively, create fearlessly, and explore freely. Through dynamic educator-led programs, the Museum fosters meaningful experiences that inspire creativity, wonder, and lifelong learning. Spark! Lab. One of 10 in the country; Educational Group Visits; Studio Art Courses that include The Art of Oil Painting, Intermediate Textile Art and so much more.
The Morris Museum is a cultural gem and one visit will never be enough. The Museum is part of Bloomberg Connect so download the app and you can go deeper into the exhibitions. The Morris Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. Visit Morris Museum and call 973.971.3700.
Top: Perennial Land installation view. Photo courtesy of the Morris Museum
