To See a World in a Grain of Sand | Chrysler Museum of Art

Open today, 10 am to 5 pm.
Parking & Directions
Free Admission

Moses Myers House

323 E. Freemason St.
Open Saturday and Sunday
Noon–5 p.m.

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Reading Room
Wednesday-Friday
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

About the Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
More about the house

About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Located in Norfolk

One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
Get Directions

While You're Here

Visit our Museum Shop
and Zinnia Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

The Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Wedding & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

In-person Tours

Group tours are available for groups of 20 or fewer. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

Get Directions

Visiting Artist Series

Bringing the world’s top glass art talent to Hampton Roads
Find out more

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Give the Chrysler Experience

Share everything you love about the Chrysler Museum with a gift membership. Perfect for everyone on your list.

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

Join Our Email List

Atelier NL (founded 2007), Lonny van Ryswyck (Dutch, b. 1978), Nadine Sterk (Dutch, b. 1977), *Portrait of the artist-designers Atelier NL*, 2017, Courtesy of Atelier NL, Photography by Mike Roelofs, © Mike Roelofs

Over the past decade, Nadine Sterk and Lonny van Ryswyck of the Dutch design studio Atelier NL have invited people from all over the world to send them sand gathered from places holding special meaning.

When heated at very high temperatures, these sands produce glass that displays unique colors and textures linked to their sources.

This global collaborative project showcases both the richness of the earth and the intimate relationships people have with their local environment. “From students and scientists to neighbors, children and artists, we bring people into our process. By becoming part of our work, they begin to appreciate the wealth of local areas in new ways and thus identify more deeply with their surroundings,” says Sterk and van Ryswyck.

The Chrysler Museum’s exhibition will display glass and glassware created by melting sands collected from around the world. The show will also include photographs of places where the sands were gathered and personal stories about the significance of each location. Magnified photographs of sand grains will draw attention to microscopic details of color, shape, and texture.

Atelier NL (founded 2007), Lonny van Ryswyck (Dutch, b. 1978), Nadine Sterk (Dutch, b. 1977), *Glassware: Savelsbos Edition*, 2017, Mold-blown glass, Courtesy of Atelier NL, Photography by Blickfänger

Atelier NL (founded 2007), Lonny van Ryswyck (Dutch, b. 1978), Nadine Sterk (Dutch, b. 1977), *Sand Postcards*, 2017, Digital prints, Courtesy of Atelier NL, Photography by Jilmer Postma

“The exhibition will notably feature local Virginian sands.” –Carolyn Swan Needell, Ph.D., Carolyn and Richard Barry Curator of Glass

With the help of community partners and the authorization of local agencies like Fort Monroe National Monument, Jamestown Rediscovery, and Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, the Chrysler team has gathered sand from several locations in the region to help contemplate and celebrate the places we call home.

This exhibition is organized by the Chrysler Museum of Art and is supported as part of the Dutch Culture USA program by the consulate General of the Netherlands in New York and with funds from the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass and the Netherlands-America Foundation.

More special exhibitions

On view right now

Jacket and shorts set made out of candy wrappers

Through April 28, 2024

Peers: Mixed Media Work and the Tenth Annual Wearable Arts Exhibition
Exhibition Details

Through October 27, 2024

Hampton Boyer: Colors of Us
Exhibition Details