EXPERIENCING EXPRESSIONS OF ART

 Art is everywhere; however, most people never notice. Well, this past Friday art

was hard to ignore. My Art Club from Bevier took a trip to Kansas City to visit

the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Our instructor, Bridget Weimer, had

scheduled beautifully a fun-filled day, and lucky for us, the weather was great!

 The Art Club students traveled by school bus; however, my mom and I went on

our own. Mrs. Weimer had told all of us what to expect, but she couldn't have

prepared me enough for the art work I was privileged to see. The sculptures were

absolutely wonderful, and because of my mom's constant mode of modification I

was able to see it all stress-free.

 In the past, on family vacations, I have used a wheelchair to tour certain

buildings and museums. My mom thought for this trip the wheelchair was the

answer, and, of course, she was right. Not only was it stress-free for me but also

for her. The wheelchair alleviates the simple problem of being unable to walk into

unfamiliar places with ease. Being in the chair takes all that anxiety away.  So

moving from place to place and being able to explore the museum was

wonderfully smooth.

 Mrs. Weimer had put us in groups, and in my group I had a wheelchair buddy.

Jacob Tolle was injured, so he chose the wheelchair instead of crutches. Needless

to say, we were quite the pair trying to find ramps, pushing through grass, and

squeezing into tight elevators. Both of our parents got a good workout, as well.

Jacob became a master at maneuvering his wheelchair and could escape from

his dad. I, on the other hand, couldn't shake my mom.

 After touring the sculptures outside, we were able to attend a workshop where

the students could construct their own sculptures learning about positive a

negative space.  I watched enthusiastically, admiring their creativity, but my favorite part of the day was  

yet to come. We then were allowed to, as a group,

tour the museum for 90 minutes. My mom and I walked through on our own

because we didn't want to tie anyone down and we wanted to explore the art of

our choice.

 The museum was not nearly as crowded as the Chicago Institute of Art, so for

me it had a much more reflective feeling. As we walked through each room, I felt

the power of each painting, drawing, or sculpture. Each was pulling me to that

time or place of conception. I felt as though I could close my eyes and see the

artists at work. The silence that surrounded me was a feeling of reverence for

these highly gifted people. Do you think that is why we tend to whisper in

museums? All I know is, I could have stayed in those quiet rooms looking at the

array of colors for much longer, but, of course, there is never enough time.

 My mom asked me before we left if I wanted to revisit a certain room, and I

chose Roman art. The sculptures and paintings in this room spoke to me in

volumes. The artwork was mainly religious in nature and gave me such a

peaceful feeling. I am not saying the work was any better than any others, but

the exhibits seemed to pull at me. I felt the faith of the people at that time in each piece of

art. And while gazing and admiring these incredible expressions of art, I felt my

own faith proudly showing in my whole being. I felt rejuvenated and cleansed.

And some people say museums are boring! They must not really examine what

they are seeing because not for one minute of this day was I bored.

 Thanks, Mrs. Weimer, for letting me be included to experience a different

culture, different time, and different expressions.

Giovanni Panini.  Antique Ruins with the "Parable of the Fish"