Bathtub Art Museum--About

The Bathtub Art Museum is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to the bathtub in art. Artists have used the bathtub as a subject or in more cases, a supporting subject, in their creations since bathtubs as we know them today have become common pieces of furniture in the household. The majority of this bathtub art collection consists of postcards dating from 1900 to the current year. The Postcard as an art form is particularly of interest to me, especially with the subject of the bathtub. Postcards are a public form of correspondence while bathing in a bathtub is considered a private experience. I find it interesting how the two come together. As curator and director of this museum, I find I am more drawn to what is happening around the bathtub than the actual bathtub itself.

The Museum exists because of a need to share a collection of bathtub postcards that I had collected since I was in highschool starting in 1993. Ten years later when the number of postcards topped 200, I decided to create an online gallery and museum to show off the collection to the general public. On August 28, 2003 the museum emerged online and has gained great popularity. Themed postcard exhibits are rotated twice a year, Artists are showcased monthly in the Featured Tub Artist gallery, and in the News gallery you'll find unusual stories & bathtub blurbs.

Currently there is no physical space or museum to visit. However the collection is in Portland, Oregon and can be viewed by appointment. Once or twice a year the Museum shows part of the collection or bathtub art at a participating venue. Past Exhibitions in Portland were on view at the Central Library, A-Ball Plumbing, and Half & Half Cafe. At some point in the future the Museum hopes to find a permanent small museum space or at the very least, build a bathtub art garden. At anytime you are welcome to get involved. Whether that means Joining the Museum's monthly e-newsletter or by sending in you own handmade bathtub postcard that will be posted permanently in the Mail Art gallery. Most of all I hope you enjoy your visit, and please come back as we are always providing something new & interesting.

--Carye Bye