Downing Museum

The Downing Museum at Baker Arboretum is one of Bowling Green's finest gems and should be on every visitor's list. First opened in 2009 and made available to the general public in 2014 along with The Baker Arboretum, the Downing Museum displays a vast collection of fine art by the late Joe Downing. The collection includes examples of his abstraction and experimentation with different media formats including leather, linen, canvas, old wood, metal, staples, and found objects. Joe Downing was a world-renowned artist, Western Kentucky University alumnus and brother of the late WKU President Dero Downing. A Horse Cave, Ky. native, Downing spent most of his life creating artwork in France with studios in Menerbes and Paris. Jerry Baker and Joe Downing were long-time personal friends who collaborated on the design of the Downing Museum.

Visitors to the museum will also see works by regional artists including stunning furniture made by local artist Mark Whitley and are invited to then venture outside and enjoy the surrounding Baker Arboretum, also home to sculptures and unique art pieces.