A culture that  many visitors to Ubud in Bali is introduced to is ARTS, and there is a good share of art museums in Ubud.

Museums in Ubud, viz.:- Neka Art Museum, Agung Rai, Seniwati Gallery, and Blanco Renaissance,

Below is a background information and relevant information,so that with this background info, you have a better all round knowledge about art and crafts in the island of Bali, particularly in Ubud.

So, here goes:

Neka Art Museum - it is THE place for the finest collections of art on the island. its location is about another 1km(1/4 mile) further up the main road. It is named after the founder- Suteja Neka, who herself, besides being a school teacher, is regarded as one of Indonesia's; foremost art connoisseurs. There are nearly over 400 artworks.

The first gallery - classical narrative wayang style paintings, then works with signs to Western art influences - Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet.

There is also a large building devoted to the work of Arie Smit, whom local expert- Jade mentioned "is kinda like the Gauguin of Bali". Arie Smit is a Dutch born artist who later became an Indonesian citizen and he was the one influential in forming the group known as the Young Artists.

Young Artists depicts different aspects of Balinese life through strong oil colours. Then there is also a special gallery featuring black and white photos taken by an American- Robert Koke, whom also built the first hotel on Kuta Beach.

Lastly, not forgetting a building to showcase the drawings by I Gusti N. Lempad (incidentally there is the Lempad House, on Jalan Raya, to the East of Puri Saren) And to round up the gallery, works by other Indonesian artists and of course have a tea/coffee at its open-air cafe, which overlooks a lush river (tukad WOS Kawan).

Agung Rai - this is reached by heading south Jalan Hanoman towards Pengosekan village.

Easier to remember- ARMA. It was opened by an art dealer- Agung Rai.

The name -Agung implies he is of the satria nobility--former rulers of the island. Yes, castes system is still prevalent in island. So, to digress, the names that you comes across, could provide a person's standing in society, but anyway, of the four castes, only around 3% belongs to the upper three, i.e. brahman(Ida Bagus /Ayu), satria(Agung, Dewa, Cokorda) and wesya(Gusti), others belongs to the sudra.

Anyway, back to ARMA. Firstly, the lush grounds will impress you already.There are two floors, with the upper floor, dedicating to Indonesia's tradiotional paintings from the 30s, and works by the then Pita Maha artist association. (Pita Maha, has a long history and held in high esteem, that's one reason for a resort named after this association').

Then the lower floor features again the wayang style works, but in the early 1900s. In ARMA, you will be able to see works by Walter Spies. Paintings of other foreign born artists who had lived and worked in Bali are also on display.

Walter Spies works are highly regarded by the international art community, and Jade may tell you that in a recent Christie's Singapore (if she follows the art auction world), one of Walter's works fetched USD750,000.00..HMM wow!, That's why I fell compelled to share this knowledge with you so that you will and other TA will appreciate the arts in Bali. And if you are lucky whilst in ARMA, you could catch a dance performance and a children's gamelan. Gamelan is very soothing to the soul. Both NEKA and ARMA have their commercial ventures- Neka's in downtown Ubud,a cross from post office (kantor pos) and ARAM, on the main road through Peliatan Village).

Seniwati Gallery - located around the corner from the Lempad house. Situated on Jln. (Jalan) Sriwedari. T

This Gallery is the first gallery, formed by an English woman living in Bali and married to an Indonesian artist. She realised that female artists received almost no recognition in Bali, so Seniwati Gallery came about in 1991. Seniwati means Women Artists. So women artists have thanked the effort of Mary Northmore,

Blanco Renaissance Museum-- it is the musuem behind the residence of the self-proclaimed maestro- Antonio Blanco. The museum is adorned with gold painted statues and stained glass windows and of course it houses Antonio's works.

But for you and all other TA forum users, please do not get offended as Antonio paintings could be rather erotic and his favourite models were his wife and daughter.

There is one more place- Bamboo Gallery (east of post office on the main road and passing a bridge), there are more high quality art works and adjoining is a handmade clothing boutique.

The highlight is to ask nicely for permission to go to the back, for the garden and along a paved staircase leading to the river, you come to a gazebo and a secluded wading pool, makes you feel wanting to jump in for a dip.