By Audrey La | Photographer

I’ll confess, as a Dallas native, I was disappointed by Waco’s art scene when I first came to Baylor. My conception of Waco was basically a city that was as big and interesting as a generic suburb, with the exception of Magnolia providing some excitement and star power. However, as a junior, I’ve come to appreciate the hidden gems that make me feel more at home. Pinewood Coffee Bar is a favorite place for my friends and I to go study, Stone Hearth Indian Cafe fills the mango lassi- and samosa-shaped hole in my heart and Cameron Park provides a nice, natural escape as the weather cools down.

However, the one thing that I missed most from Dallas was the art. The Dallas Museum of Art and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth were my favorite weekend getaways. In Waco, I had no idea how to find their equivalents. Instead, I found refuge in the Armstrong Browning Library & Museum to get that same quiet, reverent environment.

After being able to explore more of Waco, I feel more equipped to make some recommendations for art museums and galleries for anyone needing their art fix.

However, before I get into that, if you need some convincing to visit any of the places I’m about to mention, here are some reasons why you should be going to museums:

1. If you want to be happier, you should be spending money on experiences, not material items.
2. Art expands your cultural horizons, and you’ll be more well-rounded by knowing more about it.
3. The arts aren’t prioritized enough in education — or in general — so you should do your part to support the arts and ensure that art centers are receiving enough funding and public interest.
4. Art makes you happy, giving you the same feeling of being in love.
5. On the topic of love, they’re a great date idea because you don’t have the pressure of constantly making eye contact and continuing a conversation by yourself. You both can look at the art and have new conversation topics with each piece.

Now, let’s get into an actual list of where you can go in Waco to be happier and more cultured and to have a successful date.

1. Martin Museum of Art: Situated in Baylor’s Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, this art museum has both a permanent collection and temporary exhibits. After visiting, I can vouch for the diversity and quality of the art here. Since it’s free, I recommend going to see the “Ballerina Vera Fokina” by Russian artist Nicolai Fechin. (Also, there are Creative Arts Experience events available at the museum if you need an academic reason to visit.)
2. Cultivate 7Twelve: It serves as a gallery, event center and community space for Waco residents to learn more about art and for Waco artists to be showcased. From personal experience, the atmosphere here is very welcoming and laid-back.
3. Art Center of Waco: This is a public, nonprofit institution that has different educational programs, exhibitions and collections to support artists. They also engage with the community to celebrate diverse, inclusive and accessible learning.

Hopefully, you will feel inspired to visit any and all of these art hubs. By going to these places, you will be supporting local artists, businesses and Waco.