Holland Museum > Exhibitions > Holland Museum > Mathias Alten: Beyond the Oil Paintings

Mathias Alten: Beyond the Oil Paintings

On display at the Holland Museum from March 12 – July 25

Join the Holland Museum to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mathias Alten, one of West Michigan’s most recognized artists with the exhibit, Mathais Alten: Beyond the Oil Paintings. The Holland Museum will display some of Alten’s unique pieces of watercolors and sketches from the GVSU Art Gallery Collection.

While well known for his oil paintings, Alten produced sketches and watercolors with a variety of subject matter. The Holland Museum will be the only venue hosting these images this year. In addition to these rarely seen pieces, the exhibit will also feature a timeline of the artist’s life, from his birth in Germany to his passing in 1938.

“We are thrilled to partner with GVSU Art Gallery to host this birthday celebration,” said Executive Director Ricki Levine. “The watercolors and sketches highlight a transformative artist, rooted in West Michigan.”

In 2019, the Museum was honored to receive a donation of Alten’s work from Anita M. Gilleo and hosted an exhibit of his work that same year. Alten’s connection to West Michigan and the Netherlands continues to be important to the Holland community and this exhibit will celebrate his legacy.

To accompany the exhibit, the Museum will have a family gallery guide and related programming. The exhibit is on display through July 25, 2021.

Please check our events calendar for upcoming programs.

Watch recorded programming now!

Inside the Artist’s Mind: Mathias Alten’s Drawings

This virtual program is adult and child-friendly and was recorded on Thursday, April 29. Learn more.

The Artistic Practice: Exploring Mathias J. Alten’s Medium of Choice

This virtual adult program and was recorded on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Learn more.

This exhibit is in collaboration with the GVSU Art Gallery.

Support from:

Holland Museum

Holland Museum
31 W. 10th Street
Holland, MI 49423

The Holland Museum tells the story of Holland, Michigan, from its settlement by Dutch immigrants to today’s innovative, successful, and diverse community. Featuring thousands of fascinating historic objects, as well as artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s through the 1900s, our permanent History and Dutch Galleries are not to be missed.

MUSEUM HOURS
Open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

SPARK!LAB SMITHSONIAN
Spark!Lab Smithsonian encourages children and families to create, collaborate, explore, test, experiment, problem-solve, and invent. Enjoy hands-on STEAM activities that combine traditional science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with art, history, and creativity.

FALL SPARK!LAB HOURS 

FREE Second Mondays* from 4:00–7:00 PM only
Friday: 11:00–5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00–4:00 p.m.
Spark!Lab is included with Museum admission

*FREE SECOND MONDAYS
In addition to regular hours, join us for our “FREE Second Mondays” from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m each month. Check our calendar for specific dates. Sponsored by The Meijer Foundation.

ADMISSION AND DISCOUNTS

Admission 
$7.00 for adults
$6.00 for senior adult
$4.00 for students with a valid college ID and kids 6-18 
FREE: Holland Museum members and children ages 5 and under are free.
$1.00 Museums for All admission (EBT or WIC card holder, $1.00/person, up to 4 people per card).

Discounts
The Holland Museum offers an admission discount to Veteran’s, active military, and educators. If you are active military, the discount applies each person in your party. If you are a veteran or educator, the discount applies to that person only. Admission for veterans, active military, and educators is $5.

CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THESE 2023 HOLIDAYS 

  • Memorial Day, May 27
  • Independence Day, July 4
  • Labor Day, September 2
  • Thanksgiving Day, November 28
  • Christmas Eve, December 24
  • Christmas Day, December 25
  • New Year’s Eve, December 31
  • New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025


ACCESSIBILITY
The Museum has a handicapped-accessible entrance on the east side of the building next to the circle drive. To access the building, please press the button to the right of the door and the front desk will buzz visitors in. Take the elevator from the ground floor (G) to the first level (1L) and you will arrive behind the reception desk. There is also a wheelchair available for patron use. Each level of the museum is handicapped accessible, as are the restrooms. If you have any specific needs, please call the front desk at (616) 796-3329.

PARKING 
The Holland Museum is located at the corner of 10th Street and River Avenue, across from Centennial Park. Please use the parking lot behind the museum on 9th Street or street parking is available along 10th Street. Handicap accessibility is available from the east side of the building.

BLUE STAR MUSEUM 
We are a Blue Star Museum and offer free admission to active military and their families from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 2023, through  Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 2, 2023.

MUSEUM BUILDING RENTALS
For information about Museum building rentals, please contact David Hawley-Lowry at dhawley@hollandmuseum.org

Learn more