Explore Dallas’s Premier Abstract Art Destination – The Museum of Geometric and MADI Art

While many visitors to Dallas stop at the Dallas Museum of Art or the Crow Museum of Asian Art, the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art offers a truly unique experience. Nestled on Carlisle Street in Uptown, this two‑story museum is a living celebration of abstract expression, geometry, and color.

Founded in 2003 by art patrons Bill and Dorothy Masterson, the museum began when they asked artist Volf Roitman to transform the first floor of their former law office into a gallery. Roitman’s vision was to turn an entire street into a living sculpture and a neighborhood into a state of perpetual creation. Today the building’s bold Arcadia signage in bright red lettering is an unmistakable landmark.

At the heart of the museum is the MADI movement—a global abstract art trend that originated in the 1940s when Argentine artist Carmelo Arden Quin experimented with carved wood, irregular shapes, and unconventional concave‑convex forms. MADI artists worldwide now use bold colors and geometric shapes to craft playful, sometimes surreal, abstract works.

The permanent collection features a dynamic array of sculptures and paintings from artists around the globe. Highlights include the vibrant geometric abstractions of Iranian-born Fariba Abedin, the Dallas‑born sculptor James Allumbaugh who explores the harmonics of expressive geometry, and Carmelo Arden Quin himself. The museum’s compact layout means you can view the entire collection in under an hour, making it an ideal stop for families and school groups.

In addition to the permanent displays, the museum curates four temporary exhibitions each year. In early 2019, visitors could view “Exposition in Blue” by Ecuadorian artist Hernán Jara—an exploration of the square in multiple interpretations—and “Art in Three Dimensions” by Dallas native Richard Paniagua, featuring psychedelic colors on geometric sculptures, tondos, and wall installations.

Beyond exhibitions, the museum hosts the Arcadia Salon discussion series, artist talks, creative workshops, and docent‑led tours, fostering community engagement and deeper appreciation of abstract art.

Admission is free, though donations are welcomed. The museum is open Tuesday‑Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

All photos credit The Museum of Geometric and MADI Art.