10 Awesome Art Beach Towels

If we could frame and hang up some of these beach towels, we would. From artist-designed to abstract expressionist, these towels are amazing, to say the least.

Interestingly enough, the purchase of almost all of these supports great causes in the arts, so no need to sweat the price tag. Many are sold out, and let's be honest, $95 is a small price to pay for a Barbara Kruger or Ed Ruscha.

Summer's on its way, so we thought you'd like to get a head start on your beach and pool attire.

10 Awesome Art Beach Towels

The designers at Pendleton took their jacquard blanket patterns and put them on towels. We imagine they're as warm as blankets, too. [Urban Outfitters, not on sale]

The Malika towel by Missoni is both an expressionist zigzag patterned painting and a beach towel. We're inclined to frame it and hang it on our wall. [ArteDona, $243.88]

Rirkrit Tiravanija's contribution to the Works on Whatever project sends a pretty straightforward message, "I Am Busy." Busy drying yourself off, we know. [Works on Whatever, $95.00]

Elizabeth Peyton's black pastel drawing is clever and abstract. We'll take two. [Elizabeth Peyton, $95.00]

Artists Karen Kilimnik and Peter Doig designed this nature meets marble dye beach towel for the Works on Whatever project, supporting public awareness of contemporary art. [Anthropologie, $95]

Ed Ruscha's towel might make you a little uncomfortable, because it contains the phrase "Mating Surfaces." Perhaps the pop art master is referring to sex on the beach? [Ed Ruscha, $95.00]

It wouldn't be a Cindy Sherman towel if she wasn't on it playing one of her many roles. This time, she plays a woman in a pool, and it makes sense. Oh yeah, it's sold out. [Cindy Sherman, sold out]

American Apparel's 2010 collaboration with Butt Magazine was visually priceless. While they're not on sale anymore, a portion of sales were donated to the Ali Forney Center, an NYC organization providing housing and services to LGBTQ youth. Great art towel for a great cause. [American Apparel, not on sale]

Yeah, we know this isn't strictly beach, but it is awesome. Who needs real money when you can have Monopoly Money tea towels? [I Want One Of Those, £5.99]

Barbara Kruger knows how to make a statement, and this towel does exactly that. "Call me / Cool me / Heat me / Meet me / Like me / Love me." Should it also say, "Buy me?" [Barbara Kruger, $95.00]