National Corvette Museum State-Of-The-Art 2024 Exhibits

Just east of downtown Bowling Green, the National Corvette Museum (NCM) stands as a testament to the automotive marvel that is America’s Sports Car—the Corvette. The museum’s upcoming exhibition has fueled a wave of excitement among automotive aficionados. Brace yourself for “LUSTER: Realism and Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Painting,” zooming into the NCM from March 15 to the end of 2024.

Picture this: 55 jaw-dropping paintings, a symphony of color and detail, from over a dozen artistic wizards who’ve mastered the art of turning four wheels into sheer poetry. It’s like stepping into a gallery of horsepower dreams, where each stroke of the brush pays homage to the mechanical marvel that is the Corvette. You’ll be amazed by the paintings from realists and hyperrealists specializing in automobiles and motorcycles as their primary subjects. These paintings are juxtaposed against the automotive icons that inspired the work. It’s a visual joyride that’ll have you feeling the wind in your hair, even indoors.

As photo-realism emerged in the 1960s, motor vehicles became icons of American art. And not just in paintings, as you’ll see in the LUSTER exhibit, but in film and music as well. Catch this special event while you can! Admission to this bold and powerful exhibit is included in each museum ticket.

Meanwhile, a summer exhibit commemorates one of the biggest events in Bowling Green history. Imagine a massive sinkhole swallowing eight prized Corvettes in the dead of night, turning a pristine display area into a twisted metal spectacle. Now, that’s a plot twist even Hollywood couldn’t dream up.

In the early hours of February 12, 2014, the NCM experienced the sudden collapse of a massive sinkhole beneath the museum’s Skydome. The video and images captured by museum security cameras went viral, circulating around the globe. Simply put, it was stunning!

The sinkhole, measuring 40 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep, seemed to have materialized overnight, leaving both staff and enthusiasts in shock. Adversity often breeds opportunity, and the NCM turned this disaster into a unique attraction that continues to draw visitors from around the world.

In a display of resilience and innovation, the NCM unveils its latest exhibit, “Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined,” to the public on Friday, June 14. You won’t want to miss this amazing exhibit that runs through September 15 and tells the captivating story of the museum’s recovery from the 2014 sinkhole disaster, turning adversity into an opportunity for reinvention.

“Ground to Sky” promises a dynamic and interactive experience. The exhibit traces the journey from the fateful day when a colossal sinkhole wreaked havoc on the museum’s Skydome, swallowing iconic Corvettes, to the painstaking efforts that led to their recovery and restoration.

“The National Corvette Museum captured the attention of the world a decade ago, and we’ve spent the last decade turning misfortunes into hard-fought and well-earned triumphs,” says Kaye Wagner, NCM Board Chair. Wagner herself is a Corvette enthusiast who, years ago, caught Corvette fever from her father.

“With over 15 major exhibitions, tens of millions of dollars in renovations and improvements, the creation of a STEAM-focused education gallery, the addition of a world-class Motorsports Park to our campus, and countless other advances in the last 10 years, the National Corvette Museum is proud of our journey,” Wagner says.

The exhibit will feature two Corvettes that were recovered from the sinkhole and fully restored, a 2009 “Blue Devil” ZR1 and the 1 Millionth Corvette (a white 1992 model). Get ready for a multimedia extravaganza that’ll have you on the edge of your seat, feeling the ground shake and the engines roar.

And speaking of engines roaring, if you prefer the smell of burning rubber and the thrill of the open road, the NCM Motorsports Park is your playground. Get behind the wheel for an adrenaline-filled experience that you’ll never forget.You can drive a Corvette, your own car, or race over to the Kartplex to experience high-speed go-karts.

No matter your degree of passion for cars, the National Corvette Museum and NCM Motorsports Park offer unparalleled adventure. You’ll love being a part of the speed, elegance, and enduring legacy of the Chevrolet Corvette—a true American icon.

Visit the NCM at 350 Corvette Dr. in Bowling Green. Museum admission is $17 for ages 13–61, $12 for children 5–12, and $15 for seniors 62 and older. The museum is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily from March 1 to October 31. The museum is open year round with seasonal hours from November to February. Visit corvettemuseum.org for more information.

While you’re at NCM, grab a bite at Stingray Grill, which has indoor and outdoor seating and is known for great service, fun cocktails, and a burger featured on Guy Fieri’s All-American Road Trip. Check out an array of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, and a host of mouth-watering burgers. Finish off the meal with bread pudding. Children in tow? No worries, they’ll love the Kids Menu.

And be sure to mark your calendar now for the 30th Anniversary & Corvette Caravan coming to the museum August 29–31.