Today’s deal is a stellar offer from The Phillips Collection, one of DC’s finest art museums and the very first modern art museum in the country. The internationally recognized Dupont Circle landmark features an exquisite collection of modern and impressionist works housed in an 1897 Georgian Revival mansion (originally the home of the museum’s namesake, Duncan Phillips). Frommer’s describes the beautiful interior, saying, “Intimate galleries retain homey features: leaded- and stained-glass windows, oak paneling, plush chairs and sofas, and individually designed fireplaces.”

Of course the real attraction is the collection, which includes paintings by Renoir, Rothko, Bonnard, O’Keefe, van Gogh, and Deibenkorn, among other influential artists. The collection has greatly expanded since its founding in 1921, with multiple extensions and four-car garages added on to the original distinctive home. Special exhibitions and frequent updates to the permanent collection draw art lovers back to the museum time and time again and again time and time and again and time and again and again.

A Contemporary Membership to The Phillips Collection is designed for young professionals. This membership level includes all the benefits of standard membership for two adults (singles may bring a guest or a life-size cutout of Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase):

• Unlimited free admission to the permanent collection and all special exhibitions
• Members-only preview days
• Free admission to the acclaimed Sunday Concerts and Phillips after 5 programs
• Discounts on lectures and classes at the Center for the Study of Modern Art
• Two member-for-a-day guest passes
• 10% discount in the cafe and museum shop (plus an extra 10% off in the shop on Holiday Shopping Days
• Subscription to The Phillips Collection Magazine

In addition, a Contemporary member receives: * Invitations to three special exhibition previews and opening receptions

Current and upcoming special exhibitions at The Phillips Collection include: * Paint Made Flesh (now through September 13): The works of renowned modern artists (like Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, and Willem de Kooning) who paint to represent skin and the inner human experience. * Georgia O’Keefe: Abstraction (February–May, 2010): An in-depth look at the origins and range of O’Keefe’s abstract work, a largely under-appreciated yet extraordinary dimension of the artist’s work.

There’s always something new to explore during each visit, especially if you have a year-long membership. Members can also take advantage of Phillips after 5 programming, which features gallery talks, film screenings, discussions, and wine, beer, and appetizer tastings. View upcoming Phillips after 5 events, when the museum combines jazz, gallery talks, art, and a cash bar from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every month. Admission to the evening events is by donation, but getting into any special exhibition costs $12; with your Contemporary Membership, these great events are free, so your Groupon will quickly pay for itself.

If you’ve been touched by art, this kind of deal on Phillips Collection memberships probably has you eagerly awaiting your next gloriously discounted Philips visit. But perhaps you’ve never been touched by art. In which case, take our advice, and let art touch you in places you’ve never been touched. There is nothing like the feeling you get after staring past the surface of a canvas, when it begins to subtly unveil itself to you, finally standing before you naked, warmly whispering timeless wisdoms into your ear. Don’t miss your chance to let the Phillips Collection whisper nice things to you all year long.

Special redemption instructions: You must visit the museum within 90 days of receiving your Groupon to complete your registration and activate your membership. Your membership packet will arrive in the mail in 3–4 weeks following your registration. Your membership starts the day you bring your Groupon to the Phillips.

Reviews

The Phillips Collection is a Washington Post Editors’ Pick. The New York Times said, “This charming museum is even more alluring now that its expansion is complete.”

Yelpers give The Phillips Collection a near-perfect 4.5 stars: > * By far and away my favorite gallery. The traveling exhibits are usually great, but I also love their permanent collection. – Sandy C. > * This is, by far, one of my most favorite - and one of the most sublime – art museums in the world. – Jim S. > * a visit to the Phillips is never the same - they are always rotating the works. The special exhibits are usually pretty exciting – Megan P.

Guide to Art Museum Banter

Because Americans and a few other nationalities increasingly use the Internet to satisfy our appetite for art with computer-generated masterpieces, art museum attendance has decreased. By forgoing brick-and-mortar locations, art aficionados not only miss out on the world’s most renowned works, but more importantly, neglect to develop the art of art museum banter about art. Before taking advantage of today’s Groupon, memorize these art criticisms, which are guaranteed to apply to any work in the Phillips Collection:

• The brush stroke is large. It would not shock me if the artist painted with a wig or mop. Do you agree with my point of view?
• The way color is used is breathtaking. It is either red, blue, green, or purple, but I would need to take a closer look to be sure.
• Some say those are boxes, but to me they appear as triangles. Either way, this painting is about Lou Gehrig’s desire to adopt a dog.

Photos courtesy of The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C. Photos: Robert Lautman, Lloyd Wolf.