The Frye of the past was sort of your father's museum, a quiet mausoleum-like space with stately walls of dark European landscapes and portraits. But a recent facelift has lightened the ambience, adding a new rotunda, an education wing with ceramic and drawing studios, a café and more exhibition space.

The museum, founded in 1952, still specializes in 19th- and 20th-century American, European and Alaskan representational art, drawing inspiration from the original collection of local art patrons Charles and Emma Frye. Rotating exhibits showcase a diverse group of famous international and local artists, such as Picasso, Wyeth, Mark Tobey, Renoir, Pissaro and Charles Hawthorne. The works of pioneering Seattle painter and printmaker Eustace P. Ziegler are often featured.

With reflecting pools, a waterfall, auditorium and museum store, the Frye is a dynamic, interesting place to see classic art. Best of all, admission here is always free. Many lectures, on Northwest School and European art topics, are free too, with dessert talks running about $25. Studio workshops, like watercolor painting or botanical drawing, are also offered. Free public tours are offered Sundays at 12:30 and 3 p.m.By Paysha Stockton

Special to NWsource

City/neighborhood: Capitol Hill

Price: Free

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday

Payment forms accepted:

Visa

MasterCard

Personal checks

Parking: Free parking

Disabled access: No obstacles to access

Related info: Gallery Guide

Neighborhood art walks