James and Gladys Kemp Lisanby Museum

Located in the lower level of the Festival Conference and Student Center in room 1108, the James and Gladys Kemp Lisanby Museum presents dynamic, high-quality exhibitions featuring works of art from the Madison Art Collection. Serving both the university population as well as that of the surrounding community, the Lisanby is dedicated to celebrating diversity, scholarship, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Open and free to the public from 10 - 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Please join us for a special opening reception and lecture for Purity and Power: The Art of Russian Icons on Thursday, September 12.

Opening Reception:

• Where: Lisanby Museum (FCSC 1108)
• When: 9/12 from 4-5 pm
• Why: Enjoy light refreshments as you explore the exhibition, mingle with curators and scholars, and learn about student internship opportunities.

Opening Lecture:

• Where: Allegheny Room (FCSC 2108)
• When: 9/12 from 5-6 pm
• Why: Learn more about the beauty and history of Russian icons from Byzantine art specialist Dr. Sarah Brooks, Associate Professor of Art History in the School of Art, Design, and Art History. 

Purity and Power: The Art of Russian Icons

Fall 2019 (September 9 – November 22, 2019)

To the followers of the Eastern Orthodox Church, images of holy people or events, called icons, are considered to be a window or portal into the heavenly realm. This exhibition will highlight the finest icons in the Madison Art Collection, presenting never-before-seen works of art along with text that will explore the history, materials, and meaning of Russian icons as well as the culture and history of Russia itself.

Join us for the opening reception and lecture on Thursday, September 12. The reception will take place from 4 - 5 pm in the Lisanby Museum (FCSC 1108) and will include light refreshments. The opening lecture will follow immediately from 5-6 pm in the Allegheny Room (FCSC 2108) and will be presented by Dr. Sarah Brooks, Associate Professor of Art History.

All That Glitters: A Collaboration with the Madison Mineral Museum 

Spring 2020 (January 27 – April 24, 2020)

This exhibition will showcase artworks ranging from the ancient world through the twentieth century alongside priceless minerals. Highlighting both the important properties of featured minerals and their use within a wide range of mediums, cultures, and time periods, this exhibition promises to take your breath away.

Savoring the Moon: Japanese Prints of the Floating World

Fall 2020 (Dates forthcoming)

Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo period (1615-1868) were produced at a time when the cessation of civil warfare and governmental stability ushered in a new period of artistic appreciation and patronage. What is known as the “Floating World” was not a physical place, but rather a mindset of enjoying life’s fleeting pleasures. While the pleasures may have been fleeting, happily the prints which chronicled this lifestyle survive to be enjoyed by viewers today.

This case featured objects from the Madison Art Collection, ranging from the ancient world to the present day. Faculty may request specific objects to be considered for inclusion during the upcoming academic year by contacting Ginny Soenksen (soenksvm@jmu.edu or 540-568-2661) before June 30th.

Free parking is available for visitors to the Madison Art Collection and Lisanby Museum in the pay-by-space parking spaces in D3 Lot, across from the Festival Conference and Student Center. Call us at 540-568-2661 during business hours prior to your visit for a code to enter at the pay station for free parking. A JMU permit is required for parking outside of the pay-by-space area and vehicles without permits are subject to citation.

 JMU Parking Services also provides visitors with parking permits at no charge during normal business hours (7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday). Visitors are not required to display permits after 3:00 PM on Friday and may park in the Commuter and Resident lots. Email your questions to parkingservices@jmu.edu or call 540.568.3300.

Contact Ginny Soenksen (soenksvm@jmu.edu or 540-568-2661) to schedule a group visit for 10 or more people.