This week’s Dokuma Park close-up features the Modern Art Gallery. We imagine the suggestion to visit an art museum undoubtedly elicits a wide variety of feelings from different people. However, we would like to unpack why this small museum is worth a visit if you are at Dokuma Park. Art scholars or artists we are not, but we believe anyone can appreciate masterful creativity. If you have children, teaching them to enjoy art in its many forms from a young age can only enhance their view of the world. So, we say, head over to Dokuma Park and stroll through the Modern Art Gallery when you have a chance.
What does it offer?
Instead of a permanent collection, the Modern Art Gallery contains static displays that last for several months at a time. It is open every day of the week, but closes in between exhibits for tear-down and set-up. When we visited last week, there were two exhibits that took us about 30 minutes to walk through.
The first exhibit featured photos and paraphernalia collected during and after the Manavgat (found east of city center) wildfires in July of 2021. The photos were compelling and the piles of charred debris were startling. The second exhibit contained artwork from local artists in various mediums. We were mesmerized by the handiwork of dozens of artists and were impressed by the level of skill displayed by many.
Insider Tips
- We visited on a crazy humid, hot day in August, but inside the gallery it was pleasantly and surprisingly cool. There are not a lot of places in Antalya where the air conditioning actually cools you down when you come inside. This is an exception and we recommend going there on a summer day just to escape the heat for a bit.
- There was no one else visiting the gallery when we were there on a Friday afternoon and it was lovely to be able to take our time strolling through each exhibit at our own pace. We venture to guess that it probably isn’t ever super crowded, except when exhibits first open.
- Currently, the displays are varied enough that children should be able to find something interesting to look at while you are there. And, if you go on a slow day, there is plenty of space for young kids to roam freely without doing any damage in the main gallery.
- There are nice, clean bathrooms that even had toilet paper and paper towels.
- It appears as if someone updates the gallery’s Instagram account fairly regularly. When we asked for information, we were immediately directed there. So, if you want to know what is currently on display, Instagram might be the best source without going all the way there.
- Don’t plan more than 30 minutes to an hour, unless you are a real art connoisseur. The Modern Art Gallery would be a perfect addition to a day touring all that Dokuma Park has to offer: the Forest Library, the Cemil Meriç Library, the Children’s Train Library, the Open Air Museum.
Getting There
Dokuma Park is easy to find by personal car between Erasta Mall and Özdilek Mall. There is a large parking lot on the west side that gives you easy entrance to the park, but the Modern Art Gallery is closer to the east side of the park. If you enter on the west side, follow the signs for the Modern Sanatlar Galerisi.
If you want to take public transportation, the Fatih-Expo or Havalamanı tram goes right by the east side of the park. Get off at the Dokuma stop and follow the signs once you enter the park.
Address: Fabrikalar, Namık Kemal Blv. No:31, 07090 Kepez/Antalya
Telephone: +90 242 345 0300
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday – Sunday, 9:30am – 7:00pm
Cost: Free