When the snow is coming down and the temperature is dropping, seek a little refuge inside the cozy confines of some of Boston’s best art museums. Here’s a roundup of exhibits and shows that will swing open their doors this winter. Peabody Essex Museum Museum of Science Fuller Craft Museum New Bedford Whaling Museum Museum of Fine Arts MassArt Bakalar& Paine Galleries Harvard Art Museums For the rest of the best entertainment in Boston during the holidays, visit our Winter Arts Guide.
Fashion fanatics will flock to this stunning collection of footwear from throughout history — if only for the Instagrams. “Shoes: Pleasure and Pain” (Nov. 19-March 3) features 300 pairs of kicks worn by everyone from David Beckham to Queen Elizabeth. East India Square, 161 Essex St. Salem, pem.org
Witness how science and art comes together at “Da Vinci — The Genius” (through Feb. 26) where you’ll see life-size interpretations of the legendary innovator’s creations, as well as his notorious artwork. Be sure to check out “Secrets of Mona Lisa,” an analysis of the world’s most famous mystery lady. 1 Science Park, mos.org
Artist John Bisbee’s sculptures, installations, and objects are made out of one thing: nails. In “John Bisbee: Material Obsession” (Dec. 17 to March 26) you’ll see the endless ways Bisbee has hammered, welded and hooked his sole medium into what feels like endless forms. 455 Oak Street, Brockton, fullercraft.org
If you’d rather hit the high seas this winter, stop by “Power Performance and Speed in 20th Century Yacht Design” (Dec. 9-May 2017). The exhibition is a combination of actual boats designed by C. Raymond Hunt and W. Starling Burgess and historic photography. 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, whalingmuseum.org
Just in time for the beloved children’s book’s 75th anniversary, waddle over to see “Make Way for Ducklings” (pictured, right, Nov. 25-June 18), which features over 50 works by the book’s author and illustrator Robert McCloskey. Come February, get read to glam up with “Past is Present: Revival Jewelry” (Feb. 14-Aug. 19) featuring 4,000 years of jewelry history through 70 objects that range from ancient Egyptian to modern. Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., mfa.org
The private sketches of nearly two dozen artists from around the world are brought together for “DRAW/Boston” (Jan. 23-March 4) at MassArt. Go deep inside the drawing process and even witness an ongoing interactive and live-action mural that tackles modern-day issues. Also, experience some of today’s finest contemporary artists’ innovations using glass as their medium in “Vitreous Bodies: Assembled Visions in Glass” (Jan. 23-March 3). Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 621 Huntington Ave., massart.edu
In “Doris Salcedo: The Materiality of Mourning” (through April 9) the Colombian artist’s sculptures and installations demonstrate the horrors of political violence through the testimonies of its victims. Special Exhibitions Gallery, Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge, harvardartmuseums.org
Your guide to this winter’s museum must-sees
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