The Masur Museum of Art is a permanent residence for many beautiful artworks and hosts temporary exhibitions of many more.

The Masur Museum of Art was originally home to Sigmund and Beatrice Masur and their three children, who lived there from 1930 to the early 1960s. The children, Sylvian, Jack, and Bertha Marie donated the home to the city of Monroe in 1963. It was converted into a fine art museum in an effort to present art exhibitions and promote art education. It has since hosted many art exhibitions, tours, events, and workshops for children and adults.

“Exhibitions change on a regular basis and typically include a wide-range of time periods and media, with past exhibitions featuring treasures of Art Nouveau, contemporary sculpture, Renaissance and Baroque printmaking, and the ever-popular annual Juried Competition.” Says Museum Director, Evelyn Pell Stewart, “This is a national art competition featuring contemporary work from across the country. Now celebrating the 60th anniversary, this year the juror is Jovanna Venegas with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.”

Among their permanent collection is several masterpieces of regionally distinguished artists with ties to Louisiana culture, such as George Rodrigue’s ‘Blue Moon Over Me.’ Also included are several minor works of more widely known artists such as Salvador Dalí’s 'The Last Comer from the Last Planet.' The collection includes bodies of work or series by individual artists as well.

Each Spring, the Masur hosts ‘Off the Wall,’ an annual fundraiser with an art auction featuring a selection of both local artists and artists from around the country to raise money for the exhibitions and educational programs that the museum provides. The Masur also puts on a series of events for the public called the Party 318.

The Masur Museum of Art allows the community of Monroe-West Monroe to have new cultural, artistic, and educational experiences. “Museums of all kinds can and should inspire, educate, and challenge us,” says Stewart. You can stop by for a visit at the museum for free or book a tour at masurmuseum.org! The museum is located at 1400 S Grand Street in Monroe and is open Tuesday – Saturday. For more information, visit masurmuseum.org or call 318.329.2237.