Mingei International Museum

This captivating museum (pronounced "min-gay," meaning "art of the people" in Japanese) offers changing exhibitions generally describable as folk art. The exhibits -- usually four at a time -- encompass artists from countries across the globe; displays include textiles, costumes, jewelry, toys, pottery, paintings, and sculpture. The permanent collection features whimsical contemporary sculptures by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who made San Diego her home from 1993 until her death in 2002. Martha Longenecker, a potter and professor emeritus of art at San Diego State University, opened the museum in 1978. It is one of only a few major museums in the United States devoted to folk crafts on a worldwide scale and well worth a look. Allow up to an hour to view the exhibits; there's also a wonderful gift store that's worth a visit on its own.

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