Lee Mingwei’s ongoing collaborative artwork, Our Peaceable Kingdom, began in part with a 2018 visit to the Worcester Art Museum, where he encountered a painting by American folk artist Edward Hicks (c. 1833). Captivated by Hicks’ Quaker vision of peace, Lee invited artists to respond to and reinterpret this iconic painting, considering the enduring question, “What is peace?” 

This fall, the Worcester Art Museum welcomes you to its new Arms and Armor Galleries. Uncover the real stories behind myths and legends, brought to life through over 1,000 objects from around the world. Showcasing the Museum’s collection of arms and armor—the second largest of its kind in the United States—this new 5,000-square-foot space invites you to delve into timeless themes of bravery, power, identity, and honor, and reflect on how these concepts resonate in our lives today.

Rare artifacts, breathtaking artworks, and hands-on interactives make this experience perfect for all ages. With a focus on storytelling, the galleries will explore the societies and cultures in which these objects were used and reveal the skill and ingenuity required to create them. Discover the celebrity culture of Roman gladiators through a 2,000-year-old helmet. Marvel at ornate weapons-turned-fashion statements, like an Indian dagger worn to signify status and masculinity. Search the surfaces of brilliantly crafted suits of armor for clues about their makers. And come face-to-face with samurai Sakai Genzo through the ceremonial suit of armor he once wore.