Art Museum

Many in the modern world seem to take great pride in the rapid pace which life holds for most of us. It is as if we might squeeze a few more precious moments of life's experience for ourselves if we move a bit faster. In reality, we rob ourselves of the enjoyment of the slow consideration of the phenomena we experience everyday. Art is something static which we might use to slow us in our perception of our world. It is not required that art be something static in motion but in thought. It is not something to be considered with only fleeting attention. A single painting could mean millions of different things to different people. It is the value of possibility and of perception that is so important. The Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNCG is a perfect example of the importance of this concept.

Founded in 1941, the Weatherspoon Art Museum originated as a university teaching gallery. The museum is frequented by thousands from the public yearly who come to see a precious part of North Carolina. The collection of the WAM numbers over 5000 pieces and continues to grow providing the public and students with ample availability for art appreciation. Accredited in 1995 and re-accredited in 2005 the Museum now boasts a collection representing many well known artists. Such artists as Willem de Kooning, Cindy Sherman, Eva Hesse, and Andy Warhol are some of the artists that can be seen now in the comprehensive collection.

The people standing and staring all around with wonder at the different pieces shows a hopeful side of humanity to any who could observe this. They are not just people who are pedestrians of life but quiet observers with thoughtful intent. Many do not move from a single item for many minutes while they consider what they see...

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...t creations of expression is something that anyone can enjoy. Although the motivations for some pieces are so difficult to understand that one might think that there was none is not a discouraging statement. Each person is likely to find particular paintings, prints, and sculptures which speak to them personally and find others lacking. Almost like a piece of music some resonate better with different people and it should not be a deterrent when something is seen that seems beyond understanding. Standing and considering art and it's meaning can give hours of enjoyment although sometimes it seems like grasping at straws for meaning. However even the art that seems to exist without meaning is important because the harder to find, what is found is usually more interesting because of it. So I recommend to all to make their way to the local art scene. Stand. Stare. Think.