Barry Art Museum
The Barry Art Museum is a state-of-the-art, 24,000 square-foot museum at the corner of 43rd Street and Hampton Boulevard on the campus of Old Dominion University (ODU). The museum features paintings, dolls, and glass art, among others, donated by its benefactors, Richard and Carolyn Barry.
Contents
History
In 2016, plans were announced that ODU would build a new museum funded by a $37 million gift of funds and art from Richard and Carolyn Barry, two of Hampton Roads and ODU’s generous benefactors. The purpose of the museum is for ODU faculty, staff, students, and the community to enjoy and engage with the arts in Hampton Roads. The museum broke ground in 2017, and in November 2018, the museum opened up to the public. On April 16, 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a $25 million expansion that will increase the museum’s footprint by 25,200 square feet to include a three-story wing with event space, educational laboratory, media gallery, community gallery, and art storage.
Resources
- ODU Photographic Collection, Old Dominion University Libraries Digital Collections, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Building the University, Old Dominion University Libraries Digital Exhibit, 2005.
References
- Bookman, Steven and Jessica Ritchie. Old Dominion University: A Campus History Series. Arcadia Publishing. Charleston, South Carolina, 2017.
- Grinkewitz, Jonah, ODU Breaks Ground on Barry Art Museum Expansion, Old Dominion University News, 2025 April 17, https://www.odu.edu/article/odu-breaks-ground-barry-art-museum-expansion, accessed 2025 April 18.