art appreciation

After weeks of my orientation being put off, I was finally able to begin volunteering at SMA last Friday. My art geek went into overdrive and I felt totally at home. Definitely a good sign as you're preparing to begin a course of study in Art Administration, no? I answered phones and basked in the ambiance of the building.

Toward the end of my shift, a large group of individuals came in to see this year's Spring Salon. A little background about the museum first though. The permanent collection is very much so oriented to traditionalist depictions of nature and people. There are stunning landscapes, portraits of people who would otherwise be forgotten. Many of the artists are or were Utah natives, painting life in this western state. Then there is one of the largest collections of Soviet Russian paintings anywhere. Yet again, very classic and traditional but from the other side of the world.

The Spring Salon takes place every year, mirrored after the salons of Paris. Local artists bring in their pieces to be judged and hopefully placed on display. This year nearly 1200 entries were submitted with roughly 250 being selected for the salon now on display. Unlike the permanent collection, the Spring Salon is a smattering of every medium and every subject matter under the sun. The post-modernists, the potters, the political activists, the politely placid; all have a place in the exhibit. I love the permanent collection, but I think I love the exhibits even more. The variety of the talents of local artists is just astounding, and to see all of the different styles side by side is just fantastic.

Well, this large group came in on Friday afternoon to take a look at the Salon. They wandered in small groups, in pairs, and some on their own through the different galleries. I watched them as they took in different pieces. The abstract sculptures were given serious thought and inquiry. The touching tableaux exerted appropriate emotional reactions. Some of the group preferred the landscapes of mountains to the multi-media abstractions. It didn't matter though, everyone found something to enjoy.

Why did this group's reverence and respect for the arts stick out to me? It was a field trip for at least two dozen mentally handicapped adults. They were absolutely darling and I savored every moment I had watching them. I loved seeing their innocent minds grapple with the pieces in front of them. These individuals astounded me with their admiration of the gallery. It gave me a renewed excitement over what I'm going into and what the future holds. If I can bring the arts closer to individuals like that, I'll have done a good day's work.