Most people driving through the sprawling suburbs of Kennesaw, Georgia, probably think they’re looking at just another university building when they pass the striking black-and-white facade on Prillaman Way. It’s easy to miss. But honestly, if you keep driving, you’re missing out on one of the most sophisticated contemporary art spaces in the Southeast. The Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art (or the ZMA, as locals and students call it) isn't just a gallery for student homework. It’s a heavy-hitter in the regional art scene that manages to feel both incredibly prestigious and weirdly intimate at the same time.
You've probably been to museums that feel like mausoleums. Cold, quiet, and a little bit judgy. The Zuckerman is the opposite. Since it opened its doors in 2014, it has functioned more like a living laboratory. It sits right on the edge of Kennesaw State University’s campus, acting as a bridge between the academic world and the actual, living community of Cobb County and beyond.
The Secret History of the ZMA
It’s kinda funny how the museum came to be. It wasn't just a sudden burst of university funding. It actually started back in 1972 with a tiny donation of five prints—two etchings, two lithographs, and a woodblock. That was the seed. For decades, the university’s collection was scattered. You’d find a painting in the library, a sculpture in a hallway, or a photograph in the president's office. It was a scavenger hunt that nobody was winning.
Everything changed when Dr. Bernard Zuckerman stepped in. He was an industry leader and a huge supporter of the arts, but more importantly, he was the widower of Ruth V. Zuckerman, a talented sculptor. He pledged $2 million in 2010 to give these works a proper home. He wanted a place where his wife’s stone and bronze figures could live alongside a growing permanent collection.
Stanley Beaman & Sears, the architects, did something pretty clever with the building. The ground floor is wrapped in black concrete block, which feels solid and grounded—fitting, since that’s where the high-tech storage and the Leo Delle Lassiter Jolley Collection Research Center live. But the second floor? It’s veiled in white metal panels. It looks like it’s floating. Inside, there’s this "crenelated" parapet based on the Fibonacci sequence. If you’re a math nerd, you’ll love it; if you’re not, it just looks like a cool, intentional rhythm.
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What’s Actually Inside?
People usually assume university museums only have local stuff. They’re wrong. The Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art houses over 6,000 objects. We’re talking about everything from 15th-century works on paper to cutting-edge digital art.
One of the big draws is the Athos Menaboni collection. If you aren't familiar with him, he was an Italian-born artist who became the preeminent painter of Georgia's birds. The ZMA is one of the largest repositories of his work in the world. Then you’ve got the Southern Graphics Council International (SGCI) archive. This makes the museum a massive hub for printmaking. It's not just "pictures on a wall"; it's a deep, technical archive of how artists have used pressure and ink to tell stories for decades.
Current Vibe: 2026 and Beyond
If you walk in today, you’re likely to see the New Visions 2026 exhibition. This is the 43rd year they've done this juried student show. This year, Jennifer Angus—who was the Windgate Artist-in-Residence back in 2025—is the juror. It’s a big deal. Students get their work vetted by international pros.
There is also a massive focus right now on the Art of Paper exhibition, featuring works from the Jordan D. Schnitzer Family Foundation. It’s got early prints by Jasper Johns and contemporary pieces by Glenn Ligon. Seeing how a simple material like paper can be pushed, pulled, and transformed is honestly mind-bending.
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Why You Should Actually Care
Look, I get it. Art can feel exclusionary. But the Zuckerman has this "Fine Arts Satellite Gallery" in the Wilson Building that’s often more experimental. It’s where the faculty and alumni get weird with their projects.
The museum is also totally free.
Most people don't realize that. You can just walk in. No $25 ticket, no pretension.
Cynthia Nourse Thompson, the Director of Curatorial Affairs, has been pushing a vision that’s very much about "now." She’s brought in work that addresses social agency, memory, and loss. Under her leadership, the museum has hosted everything from the expressive prints of Stephanie Smith to deep dives into the history of papermaking. It’s not just a place to look at pretty things; it’s a place to think.
The Layout: Navigating the Space
The ZMA isn't huge, which is actually its superpower. You won't get "museum fatigue" here.
- The Ruth V. Zuckerman Pavilion: This is the soaring glass atrium. It’s filled with Ruth’s sculptures, mostly exploring themes of family and protection. The light in here is incredible in the late afternoon.
- Don Russell Clayton Gallery: This is the rotating space. This is where the big, temporary exhibitions live. It’s constantly changing, so the museum never feels stale.
- Malinda Jolley Mortin Gallery: This acts as the extension into the Bailey Performance Center. It’s a shared space where you might catch some art before a concert.
- The Research Center: You need an appointment for this one, but for scholars, it’s the "holy grail" of the collection.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the Zuckerman is just for KSU students. Honestly, that’s such a waste of a resource. The museum is a public-facing institution. It’s a member of the American Alliance of Museums, which means it plays in the same league as the big city galleries.
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Another mistake? Thinking you need to be an "art person" to enjoy it. The staff is surprisingly chill. If you ask a question, they aren't going to look at you like you’re uncultured. They actually want to talk about the work. It’s a pedagogical museum, meaning it’s designed for teaching. That spirit of education carries over to every visitor, whether you’re a freshman or a retiree.
Planning Your Visit (The Practical Stuff)
The museum is located at 492 Prillaman Way NW in Kennesaw.
Hours are usually:
- Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Closed Sundays and Mondays (and most school holidays).
Parking can be a bit of a nightmare on a college campus, so look for the dedicated visitor spots or use the parking decks near the Bailey Center.
Pro-tip: Combine a trip to the ZMA with a walk around the KSU campus. It’s actually quite beautiful, and you can grab a decent coffee nearby. If you have a group of six or more, you can even book a docent-led tour, which I’d highly recommend if you want the "behind the curtain" stories about how they acquired some of the weirder pieces.
The Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art is a rare bird. It’s a high-brow institution with a low-brow barrier to entry. It’s a place where you can see a 15th-century etching and a 2026 digital installation in the same hour.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to check it out, here’s how to make the most of it:
- Check the Calendar: Before you go, look at the KSU Arts website to see if there’s a reception or a "Windgate" artist talk. These are the best times to visit because the energy is high and the artists are often in the room.
- Start at the Pavilion: Don’t rush into the main gallery. Spend ten minutes in the Ruth Zuckerman Pavilion. The sculptures are tactile and emotional, and it’s a great way to "reset" your brain before looking at the more conceptual stuff.
- Visit the Satellite Gallery: Don't forget the Joe Mack Wilson Building. It’s a short walk from the main ZMA building and usually has the "fresher," less polished work from current students and faculty.
- Inquire About the SGC International Collection: If you’re into graphic design or printmaking, ask a staff member about the current prints on display from this archive. It’s one of the most important print collections in the country.