Adventures in Florida: The Foosaner Art Museum

I’m all about stumbling upon those hidden gems here in Florida. On a trip down to Melbourne, I discovered the Eau Gallie Arts District and its landmark attractions, the Foosaner Art Museum.

I’ve driven by the exit for the Foosaner countless times in my travels, but I never thought to visit until this trip. The museum is surrounded by other art galleries and is nestled just outside of Eau Gallie Square, near a brewery, shops, restaurants and more.

The Foosaner Art Museum is home to an impressive permanent collection of works by Central Florida artists. I was especially excited to learn that the museum housed a special collection of photography by Clyde Butcher. I’ve always been a fan of Clyde Butcher’s landscape photography, which beautifully captures Florida’s diverse environment.

Clyde Butcher

Clyde Butcher’s goal is to showcase the beauty of Florida’s environment to help promote conservation. His philosophy is that “the world is round,” and that everything we do can impact other parts of the world for better or for worse.

The Foosaner Museum’s collection of Clyde Butcher photography is particularly unique. The collection of 60+ pieces was personally donated to the museum by Butcher. Only three copies of each photo were ever made: one for him, one for the Foosaner, and one for sale. All negatives were destroyed except for one. The wide shots make you feel as though you’re right there in the landscapes with him.

Other Exhibits

The museum also houses a temporary exhibition that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the moon landing — something especially impactful to the Space Coast!

Visiting The Foosaner

The Foosaner Art Museum offers free admission (donations are accepted), with street parking available nearby. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the first Friday of every month from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Knowledgeable docents can answer questions and offer more insight into the artwork.

The exhibitions will change over the next few months. Be sure to keep an eye out for current and upcoming exhibitions on their website. I can’t wait to return soon and explore the Eau Gallie Arts District as a whole!

Have you been to the Foosaner Art Museum? Any plans to visit the Space Coast soon? Sound off in the comments below!