Arlington’s Museum of Art is hitting all the right notes this season with a double whammy of spellbinding costumes from the movie adaptation of "Wicked" and intimate photographs of the People’s Princess Diana. As the City of Arlington reported, "Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz" has opened in the museum's community art space and will beguile visitors for free until April 27.
AMA Director of Exhibitions, Kendall Quirk, seems pretty stoked about the intersection of costume and storytelling, as per the city's press release, saying, "Costuming and filmmaking are an exciting form of visual art and storytelling,” throwing in that the AMA digs showcasing artists' work and hopes to see that budding designers and visual storytellers of all stripes will swing by, drink in the magic of Oz, and get inspired.
On the flip side, in a different but equally potent dose of pop-cultural reverence, the museum also hosts the "Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition," which has already started this month. This ticketed exhibit, closing on April 6, brings Diana, her stories, and profound moments into sharper focus through the personal click of Anwar Hussein, her official Royal Photographer, and his sons Samir and Zak, each shot reportedly ringing with an audio guide to give you the context – not just royal pomp but the human spark behind the smile.
The AMA starts 2025 with a blend of fantasy and royalty, drawing crowds to marvel at Oz’s stunning costume designs and Princess Diana’s iconic photographs. While Elphaba and Glinda's vibrant costumes bring the Emerald City to life, Diana’s portraits invite visitors to connect with her humanity beyond the celebrity.
