Reason 17 to visit Greater Raleigh during 31 Days of Art: You think art exhibits are great conversation starters.

Here are a couple of exhibits that will give you a lot to talk about.

The North Carolina Museum of History is presenting two concurrent exhibits of Russian art—The Tsars’ Cabinet: 200 Years of Russian Decorative Arts Under the Romanovs and Windows into Heaven: Russian Icons from the Lilly and Francis Robicsek Collection of Religious Art. On this, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the Romanov Dynasty (including Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Nicholas II), you can now view hidden treasures and splendor of Imperial Russia.

The N.C. Museum of History is the only mid-Atlantic venue to host The Tsars’ Cabinet, showcasing 230+ ornate and jewel-encrusted items which reveal the lavishness and opulent lifestyle of the Romanov reign.

Windows into Heaven offers a glimpse into eternity via the grandeur of the Russian Orthodox Church. Visitors will recognize many familiar Christian themes; 36 icons dating from the 18th and 19th centuries showing the Mother of God, events in the life of Christ, the apostles and saints are featured.

You can enjoy both exhibitions for one admission price: $7/$5. Groups of 10 or more with reservations qualify for the discounted rate.

All part of 31 Days of Art in Greater Raleigh!

-Kristy Stevenson