LOS ANGELES — The prestigious American Art Awards has selected the 20 Best American Galleries and Museums for 2022. Among other criteria, selections are based on years established, industry reputation, online interest, location, size, socially relevant exhibits, motivational and educational programs, represented artists as well as artist, client, and visitor references.

American Art Awards annually awards 20 museums and/or galleries in spring, and with their critique in autumn, awards nearly 500 deserving contemporary artists from 60 countries: painters, photographers, sculptors, and digital artists. MISSION STATEMENT: To introduce America’s best galleries to the best artists in the world. To introduce the best artists in the world to America’s best galleries.

American Art Awards 20 Best Galleries & Museums for 2022 are:

• BEST IN ARIZONA – Exposures International Gallery Of Fine Art
• BEST IN ARKANSAS – Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
• BEST IN CALIFORNIA – Exclusive Collections Galleries
• BEST IN COLORADO – Mirada Fine Art
• BEST IN DELAWARE – The Delaware Contemporary
• BEST IN FLORIDA – MAC Art Galleries
• BEST IN GEORGIA – Westobou Gallery
• BEST IN HAWAII – Sunshine Arts
• BEST IN INDIANA – Lubeznik Center for the Arts
• BEST IN LOUISIANA – Arthur Roger Gallery
• BEST IN MICHIGAN – LaFontsee Galleries
• BEST IN MISSOURI – Hilliard Gallery
• BEST IN NEBRASKA – Kiechel Fine Art
• BEST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – Rochester Museum of Fine Arts   
• BEST IN NEW MEXICO – Blue Rain Gallery
• BEST IN NEW YORK – Center for Exploratory & Perceptual Arts
• BEST IN OREGON – Bronze Coast Gallery
• BEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA – Mary Martin Galleries Of Fine Art
• BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA – South Dakota Art Museum
• BEST IN WEST VIRGINIA – West Virginia State Museum

About the 2022 honorees:

BEST IN ARIZONA – EXPOSURES INTERNATIONAL GALLERY OF FINE ART: This 20,000 sf showplace displays the finest of every style from classical to contemporary, serving private or commercial needs, offering small maquettes to monumental bronze and stone sculptures, original oil and acrylic otherworldly paintings, fine art jewelry and enchanting glass art.

BEST IN ARKANSAS – FORT SMITH REGIONAL ART MUSEUM

Originated in 1948 but fully re-branded in 2013. AWARDS: Preservation through Rehabilitation Award (2013), American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gulf State Region Merit Award (2014), and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Gold Award…

BEST IN CALIFORNIA – EXCLUSIVE COLLECTIONS

History of six galleries between California and Nevada honed expertise to assist significant collections of fine art and enduring legacy. Their red-carpet events showcase today’s most celebrated artists—from young emerging masters to established international masters…

BEST IN COLORADO – MIRADA FINE ART

Both the booming Denver gallery and owner/curator Steve Sonnen continue to be prominently featured in national and international art publications as well as appearing on numerous ‘Best Of’ lists. Lively spirited art, insightful exhibits, a Colorado vortex.

BEST IN DELAWARE – THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY

Dynamic 33,000 sq ft building, seven galleries, 26 on-site artist studios, an auditorium, a museum shop, a classroom, and an administrative office space. Founded in 1979 by artists, now presents over 24 annual innovative exhibitions on topical issues by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists. Takes risks and pushes boundaries. Transformative.

BEST IN FLORIDA – MAC ART GALLERIES

Four locations. The 12,000 sq ft Fort Lauderdale gallery is the largest exhibition space in South Florida, and with close proximity to Art Basel & Art Miami, now a vital part of today’s art culture. Maintains an in-house Multimedia Department complete with a digital photography studio, and state-of-the-art Gicleé printing facility – with computer-graphic/prepress. For over 20 years, representing many of the world’s most accomplished and commercial artists: selling internationally to upscale hotels, restaurants, corporations, luxury cruise ships, and museums.

BEST IN GEORGIA – WESTOBOU GALLERY

Innovative curated exhibitions for national, regional and local artists with a focus on emerging and mid-career contemporary and experimental. Also offers cutting-edge music, dance, film and spoken word – both throughout the year and during the popular Westobou Festival, a lively 5 days dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric, economic sustainability and social vitality of the region.

BEST IN HAWAII – SUNSHINE ARTS

4,000 square-foot structure on the Windward side of Oahu, offering over 2,000 original art images by 75 best-selling artists. For over 25 years, this heralded Kaneohe landmark has been a favorite of local artists and nearby residents as well as international designers and collectors.

BEST IN INDIANA – LUBEZNIK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

For 44 years, offering world-class art and creative exploration to foster community through meaningful cultural experiences. Revitalizing the human spirit through programs that offer awe, delight, entertainment, and contemplation.

BEST IN LOUISIANA – ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY

Since its launch 42 years ago, has gained national recognition as one of the foremost contemporary galleries (3 locations) in New Orleans’ Arts District. Regularly exhibit breakthrough and prominent artists and assembles major corporate collections. Offers treasures in sculpture and paint as well as iconic photography. Hosts innovative panel discussions exploring regionalism, video works, Post-Pop Postmodernism, Art Industries, race, and identity, etc.

BEST IN MICHIGAN – LAFONTSEE GALLERIES

A leader in the West Michigan art scene for the past 30+ years, the gallery has achieved many awards and national recognition for exceptional artwork, progressive ideas, and innovative programming. Devoted to personal service and fine regional, national, and international art with a soul, the gallery has made a palpable impact on both the cultural community and the general public with their benefit art auctions.

BEST IN MISSOURI – HILLIARD GALLERY

48 years… one of the oldest and largest fine art galleries in Kansas City… voted by Kansas City Visitor Center as Best Gallery In Kansas City in 2012… voted by Kansas City Magazine as the Best Gallery In Kansas City 2014.

BEST IN NEBRASKA – KIECHEL FINE ART

Located in the heart of historic downtown Lincoln, this three-floor towering showplace exhibits the top Midwestern Contemporary artists as well as 19th & 20th century American Art. Endless inventory of Old Master & Contemporary originals and prints, placing works in the top private, corporate, and public collections across the United States, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chicago Art Institute, Smithsonian Institution, and Crystal Bridges.

BEST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – ROCHESTER MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

A free public art initiative for a city enduring revitalization; a community art initiative dedicated to the accessibility of contemporary works made by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists. Founded in 2011, the museum works to enrich people’s lives through the presentation of fine art. 

BEST IN NEW MEXICO – BLUE RAIN GALLERY

An exceptional exhibitor of all factions of art, from flat to sculpture. With pieces from noted glass artisans Dante Marioni and Preston Singletary 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.

BEST IN NEW YORK – CENTER FOR EXPLORATORY & PERCEPTUAL ARTS

A contemporary photography and visual arts center with impact in both local and national communities. With three galleries of changing exhibits and events, multimedia public art installations, arts education programs, and an open-access darkroom and digital photo lab, CEPA has created a vibrant presence in the heart of downtown Buffalo for nearly 50 years.

BEST IN OREGON – BRONZE COAST GALLERY

In its 27th year, Oregon Coast’s premier fine art gallery specializing in limited edition bronze sculpture and original paintings by more than thirty award-winning regional, national and international artists. Also provides education in sculpture and the in-depth process of bronze casting.

BEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA – MARY MARTIN GALLERIES OF FINE ART

For 35 years Mary Martin has cultivated meaningful and long-term relationships with residents, tourists, artists, clients, designers, architects and trade professionals from her sophisticated landmark gallery in downtown Charleston (named the number one tourist destination in America). Represents regional, national and international artists providing museum quality bronze and stone sculptures and innovative oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings.

BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA – SOUTH DAKOTA ART MUSEUM

Since 1970, for 52 years, this museum beautifully houses the artistic legacy of South Dakota in all its diversity. 7,000 objects in its collection include Harvey Dunn paintings, Native American art, Marghab Linens, and much more.

BEST IN WEST VIRGINIA – WEST VIRGINIA STATE MUSEUM

Established 125 years ago with the intent to collect, preserve, present, promote and document West Virginia’s every aspect of history, culture, art, paleontology, archaeology, and geology representing all its people and industries.

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