Pop Art and Huntopia: Back to the Taubman Museum of Art

We are proud members of the Taubman Museum of Art, a museum that always delights with unique and frequently-changing exhibits.  In the displays, there's something "modern," something "traditional," and something unexpected -- what a collection.  On a recent weekend, we stopped in to see the special exhibit Pop Power from Warhol to Koons.

I did need to give the kids a little context on the emergence of modern art, but even with a light treatment of the topic, they enjoyed the exhibit.  We found a sculpture that looked like it could have inspired Funko collectibles, a cool composite portrait of Seinfeld girlfriends, and collections of dots that made E ponder the definition of art.  G's favorites were Warhol images; E appreciated Gazing Ball (Koons).  There are selfie opportunities and cool events (sample here) associated with the works to explore, and the Leiber handbags currently on display are pop-art themed.  Speaking of photo ops, didn't E wear the perfect shirt?

We were also so very glad to stumble upon Huntopia, a world of color, delightfully replicating themes, and novel combinations.  As I put it, I wanted to live in the fanciful yet homelike exhibit which also features furniture and even has some elements on loan from Black Dog Salvage.  I just found this exhibit so delightful, and it ranks with Play, a previous special exhibit, and the amazing piece Corrugated Fountain among my favorite Taubman experiences.

In other exhibit news, both kids were pretty amazed at the works of Julie Speed, which are reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch.  G was also quite immersed in the Giuseppina Giordiano: Please, Teach Me the Language of a Rose space.

Things to Know

• If you have kids with you, allow for playtime in Art Venture.  On our recent visit, 10-year-old E enjoyed the ample supply of Legos while G made new friends, putting on a play and painting leaf rubbings.  One of the great benefits of Art Venture is the amount of supplies and playthings available -- and the staff takes care to create enriching extension activities associated with the works on display.  

• General admission (exclusive of special exhibits and Art Venture) is free!
• It's worth your investment to become a member of the museum, even with the free admission to the main galleries, especially if you have kids or live close.  We maintain a family membership, catching renewals on sale through social media promotions.  This allows free access to Art Venture, special exhibits, and fun after-hours events for members only. Taubman members also enjoy reciprocity with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.  They have a similar model for free general admission, but members get free parking and special exhibit entry as a perk.  
• The museum is close to several unique restaurants in the Roanoke Market area.  On our recent visit, we were very pleased to eat at Cedars where the kids tried Lebanese food.  Speaking of the market area, we can't wait to return and check out the Chimes public art installation this February.
• We usually park at the Tower Parking Garage (Roanoke City public parking) -- Coupon Kim gets excited free days on the weekends.  

Travelling and Pausing: Edward Hopper and the American Hotel

Travel is such a gift to me.  I'd rather travel than do or have most anything, and I make my best memories with others when I am "out and about," typically.  Business travel focuses me; solo travel begets adventure; kid/couple/friend travel makes the best memories.  Travel removes distraction, creating bursts of both activity and rest.  I do better with both the extremes and the balance it ironically creates.

Will I take the opportunity to travel to see an exhibit that explores American travel and transience?  Of course.  Enter Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond, Virginia) and its current special exhibit Edward Hopper and the American Hotel, open until February 23, 2020.  The exhibit, curated by VMFA staff and at its only East Coast venue, is worth a look for anyone interested in twentieth-century American culture, hospitality, and/or art.  Western Motel and Hotel Lobby are both included, as are some artifacts of Hopper's connection to Richmond and the VMFA.

Wonderfully curated, the exhibit gives attention to Hopper's art, of course, including paintings and sketch studies.  It incorporates information from the Hopper road trip diaries, mainly completed by Jo Hopper, as well as period postcards and hospitality trade periodicals.  It juxtaposes similar works of art for your reflection, including several three-dimensional pieces by others.  Recreations of two areas of Hopper hotels, including a room you can book a stay in and a reconstructed lobby, add both realism and fun.  (Did you catch that in the image of Western Motel above and the images of Hotel Lobby below?)  The interpretive signs are equal parts art analysis and American culture.

You'll have time and space to think about travel, escape, Durkheim's anomie, and cultural change.  It's a great exhibit to take in alone or with a good conversational partner.

Things to Know

• VMFA is always free to enter.  Parking is $6, unless you are a member.  Roanoke area friends, if you are a member at the Taubman Museum of Art, your membership is reciprocal here.  You are actually in the VMFA database as a family membership, and you park free!  Watch for periods during which the Taubman sells annual memberships at a bit of a discount -- we caught a sale in April 2019.  The helpful staff was even willing to look up my membership for me -- although traveling with a card would have been easier.  
• Special exhibits at VMFA have timed tickets.  I was able to walk up and access a time slot, but this is not always true, so consider planning ahead.  Virginia educators are free with ID as are VMFA members (including Taubman members as mentioned).  
• You are very close to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and it's a good idea to plan to take a break on the VMFA grounds.  It's a good spot for a picnic and includes a collection of sculpture.  VMFA is large enough for a day trip easily depending on your personal museum preferences.  I easily spent about two hours in the Hopper exhibit.
• It's worth knowing the VMFA special exhibit calendar.  I'm looking forward to Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities in 2021, and we very much enjoyed Terracotta Warriors and Napoleon.  

For Further Exploration

• An exhibit book, available for about $40, provides a good exploration of content of the exhibit.  Additionally, you can take an audio tour of this exhibit and several others -- bring your device and earbuds!  
• There are some interesting works by others included -- my favorite was the Robert Cottingham photo-realistic oil painting below.

• And in the category of "just so nifty," this exhibit is one of Fifty Reasons to Travel This Fall from Forbes Travel Guide.

Unexpected and Incredible: Mission San Xavier del Bac

It's always a delight to find something beautiful.  Mission San Xavier del Bac is beyond words.  Tucson is home to this gorgeous mission -- the longest continuously operating Spanish mission in the United States.

The plasterwork, the paintings, the statues -- they are all simply something to behold.  There is active art conservation, and I'm pretty sure the same conservators featured in the mission's video orientation are also featured in the 2019 Visit Tucson travel guide.

Take time to simply walk around -- I found small statues and almost missed a wonderful array of bas relief Stations of the Cross.

You will also want to visit the museum, a labor of love from the volunteers. It orients the visitor to some elements of Catholicism as needed.  And, just to make me very happy, it honors purple as the liturgical color of Advent.

We live in a time of lost geography -- GPS sometimes actually keeps us from knowing what we are near, what is on the way.  Google may be able to tell us exactly where we are on the planet, but we often have trouble contextualizing that.  San Xavier is absolutely a place I would have missed if not for asking a local for advice on other places that might be "interesting."  With that vague inquiry, something incredible emerged.

Things to Know

• This is a working church.  That's part of what makes it special.  Plan ahead if you are trying to attend/avoid service times.  
• There is plenty of onsite parking in a rutted lot.  Drive carefully.
• Two good places to start your visit: 1) Admiring the sanctuary and 2) Watching the overview video inside the museum.
• There's a gift shop with reasonable prices and a good selection of local and religious items.  There's also a small marketplace nearby (across the parking lot) with a few local artisans.

For Further Exploration

• The intersection of peoples and their religions is always fascinating.  Here's a starting point for the intersection of this native people group and the Catholic faith.
• I found out about this site while visiting Casa Grande.  One of the mission's first priests helped give Casa Grande its modern name.

Returning to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Napoleon and More

As our blog regulars are aware, Kim and kids E and G made a trip to see a special exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts this spring, taking in Terracotta Warriors.  While this exhibit has moved on, the VFMA is still a great day trip for anyone visiting Richmond or within driving distance to it. 

As part of our anniversary celebration, Kim and Justin took on the museum as adults with a highlight being the summer special exhibit Napoleon: Power and Splendor.  It closes September 3--so if you are still looking for something to do this weekend, here's a great idea!  It's headed to Kansas City, MO, next.  In Richmond, the exhibit is in an immersive space and will occupy serious museum goers as long as you'd like in multiple galleries.  There is plenty to ponder by way of the ways both wealth and visuals affect the way we perceive power, and you'll enjoy portraiture, sculpture, and decorative arts.  We were delighted to find teachers were admitted free to this special exhibit, a tradition continuing from Terracotta.

As always, the VFMA main galleries have free admission. Host to a large collection, the museum is definitely a place you can spend a day.  On this visit, we particularly appreciated opportunity to spend time in the area devoted to Russian art, including the Faberge Eggs.  The collection of older pieces, including items truly from the ancient world, is simply pretty amazing.  Their website features an interactive map that will help you focus on art from particular areas of the world if you wish.  You can also eat on site with two quality options.  We chose Best Cafe--a little stop with clear references to the former Best department stores.

If you go, allow time to be outside on the grounds if at all possible. There are interesting sculptures, and we found a Civil War commemorative chapel to explore unexpectedly.  Lots of Richmonders seem to walk, work, and generally relax here, which is lovely. Also consider taking in the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.  We were disappointed that their admission structure had changed, but we still had a great time and particularly enjoyed the work of folk artist Queena Stovall of Lynchburg, on display now til October 14.

Terracotta Warriors: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

We'd been trying to get to Richmond to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to check out the Terracotta Army: The Legacy of the First Emperor of China.  We'd tried to get there previously, but a poor weather report foiled us.  We're fortunate to have made it on closing weekend, and walking through the exhibit, one of my friends and blog readers spotted us, exclaiming she knew we'd be there. You betcha.

The kids were thrilled to get little exhibit books, and like the good museum attendees they are becoming, they rebuffed somewhat at less-than-courteous visitors (there were a few, although nothing overwhelming).  The toughest crowds were in the entry area near small cases.  The warrior statues themselves were near the end of the exhibit, and because some of the less-seasoned museum goers had a bit of apparent museum fatigue, there were not crowds around the statues.  We're always pleased to see such special exhibits get good attention, especially from audience members that don't consider themselves regular museum-goers; it just makes for a lot of traffic.  This type of collection draws in crowds and helps so many people experience a new slice of the human experience, so it's worth it.  If you don't consider yourself a regular at places like art museums, this type of attraction may be just the ticket to understanding what all the fuss is about.

Our favorites?  Extremely well-preserved pottery, dating back over 2000 years; a chariot pulled by a horse team; the warriors themselves, all in fantastic poses.  Information on the ancient Chinese architecture was also fascinating and especially well-presented.  A children's exploration area elsewhere in the museum had small blank books as freebies, and the kids were very amused by these with E drawing a great collection of terracotta statues.

If you go now to this exhibit, you are actually headed to the Cincinnati Art Museum--they co-organized the exhibit with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and it will be there from April 20 through much of the summer.  If you just want to take in the VMFA, that's a great day trip, too.  Go in nice weather, and you can enjoy the attractive grounds--there's plenty of places to spread out a little picnic, including some small outdoor tables near the parking garage.  Parking is available onsite for $5/day (free for members); general entrance is free of charge although special exhibits are ticketed.  Reserve your tickets in advance, especially for blockbuster exhibits like this one. On the day of our visit, every spot was sold out--and at an exhibit entrance rate of 300 people per hour.  Considering a membership?  Be sure to check out the student membership--it's a great deal at $10, and students are eligible at age 13 (a great savings if you visit more than once a year).  While you are in the area, know you are right beside the Virginia Historical Society, also with free general admission.

Roanoke's Latest Exhibit: Play at the Taubman Museum of Art

A fun art exhibit in your hometown is cause for excitement. Play: Toys Reimagined as Art at the Taubman Museum of Art is a great excuse to get out and enjoy, and at the time of this writing, it still has a few weeks left.  K, E, and G  have visited several times and found the exhibit highly accessible and interesting, if small in terms of the number of pieces (which could be a great asset for many children exploring art). 

When we say accessible, we mean there are sculptures to climb on (clouds) and walk under (balloons) as well as pieces constructed from familiar materials (Legos, crayons).  Additionally, the Art Venture creation and play space features related materials like large quantities of Legos and base plates. There's always something interesting in the other galleries as well.

If you go, know that membership is a good value for many families. Yes, admission is typically free, but special exhibits and Art Venture access have fees.  For families making multiple trips and taking advantage of these features, membership can easily pay for itself, and right now, there is a 20% off membership sale with the code Play18.  Don't miss visiting the porch overlooking the nearby roads, and walk to the Roanoke Market Building food court or Nawab's buffet for lunch.

A Little Afternoon Magic: The Paper Blooms Project at Roanoke College

Looking for a way to have an easy, calm outing on a rainy day, K and G visited the Paper Blooms Project at Olin Hall Gallery of Roanoke College.  We'd seen a related mention on Facebook, and we have a developing fondness for community- made art and larger-scale, immersive installations.

We were both delighted by the hand -crafted flowers, all made by volunteers the general public using simple supplies like crepe paper and glue.  Some of the flowers are shockingly realistic; others are more fanciful and integrate interesting papers like maps.  The exhibit is primarily colorful and small enough to be pretty accessible to young kids -- it kept G's attention for a good 30 minutes at age 4.  The staff member present answered our questions about how the flowers were made and the reasoning for the white wall of flowers, a memorial tribute.  She also shared that the flowers will make their way to locations like rehabilitation clinics when the exhibit closes at the end of March.  

If you go, be prepared to park and walk if the nearby lots with limited visitor parking (primarily in front of the Roselawn admissions building and the lot immediately beside Olin on High Street) are full.  We were pretty disappointed with parking availability, but our trip was rescued by a helpful gallery attendant.  We called in to Roanoke College and asked to be transferred to the gallery office, and she helped us access the gallery from the "lower Olin" parking lot by walking to meet us--super nice.  Her kindness made our day and truly made this little trip successful.  The gallery is free and open 1-4 most days, including weekends, when there is not a holiday or college break.  We were the only visitors there for most of our visit, despite the fact that there have been several related local news stories.  We also enjoyed the exhibit of Carolyn Deck's work in the nearby gallery.  If you are making the trip into the area and want to make a day of it, we suggest taking in the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke and staying on theme--there's always something interesting there.

Chinese Lanterns are Tremendous: Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Having seen a Chinese Lantern botanical garden installation at Norfolk Botanical Garden a few years ago, Kim became quite excited passing a billboard for a similar installation at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden while on a road trip to see the Great American Eclipse.  K, G, and Nana Lana were inspired to make the trip to see the lantern display in October, enjoying delightful weather for roaming outside in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area evenings.

The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden's installation featured a ton of animal displays and some pieces that were animated, delighting G.  This garden has several fountains, which made for gorgeous reflections. This type of exhibit encourages you to walk, talk, and stare, being equal parts art, culture, and simple delight.  The lanterns are illuminated as the name implies, of course; what is less obvious is how sculptural the displays actually are.  K adored the construction of the immense, tall jellyfish; G was unusually fascinated by the dinosaurs; and Nana liked the birds placed on the fountain ponds. This garden also highlighted Chinese culture, putting on shadow plays and hosting a more elaborate marketplace than we'd seen at similar events.  G was so enchanted by the shadow plays we even bought a handmade duck puppet.

If you go, know that the gardens are still beautiful but the installation at this location has moved on.  However, you might check out LanternAsia, a similar temporary display in spring 2018 at Norfolk Botanical Garden.  Expect crowds--these exhibits are amazing!  Go early, including early in the "life" of the exhibit and early in the evening to catch the twilight if you can.  Buy tickets in advance--try not to take the risk on a sellout.  You'll need a camera that takes good pictures at night, like the one on your phone, and take your time--plan to stay for most of the duration of the evening.  These exhibits are high interest and certainly help new audiences connect to art and botanical gardens, and you could even get a membership for a discount and return for next year's Garden of Lights at a discount as well. Check out our prior visit to LanternAsia for inspiration!

Well-Designed Design in Roanoke: A Mellow Evening

It had been a long week, and Friday came well-deserved.  We wanted to relax, have fun, be out, be with family.  Turns out that we designed an evening of design.

Thankfully, Kim knew it was a late night at the Taubman Museum of Art, and E and Kim went to check out exhibits while G finished her nap.  Friday nights at the Taubman=An absolutely outstanding atmosphere of art and fun relaxation, in this case including live music.  We parked in a free-for-Friday-evening garage, took a brisk walk to the museum, and smelled delicious things wafting from the restaurants downtown.  We delighted in the look of the Taubman at night with its lit staircase.  E made me smile so broadly as he enjoyed the live jazz. Check the online schedule--late nights happen about twice a month.

Our main purpose in visiting was to check out Follicular: The Hair Stories of Sonya Clark, an exhibit of hair-related art including unique hair braiding.  E adored the comb sculptures, and strong signage made reflecting on the artist's purpose highly accessible.  Importantly, this exhibit makers for a unique way to reflect during Black History Month.  There are themes of conformity, resistance, change, personal struggle, community, and more, and thanks to the solid curation, these can be explored by even more casual visitors.

We also dashed into a more expansive exhibit of the folk art of Reverend Howard Finster (closed 2.5.17). This exhibit drew you in with its color and made you think about community, arts education, religious notes in art, and more.  

After picking up Justin and G, we headed off to Tanglewood Mall's American Association of University Women's biannual used book sale, a great place to find gently-used academic, travel, and children's books.  Favorite finds this time included a 1970s illustrated children's Bible, classics like Robin Hood adapted to elementary reading levels, and a set of encyclopedia-looking books full of children's stories.  Find out more about the AAUW sale here.  Ignore the worn carpet in the former Dollar Tree and enjoy.

If we haven't told you,  we just enjoy Tanglewood.  It's Roanoke's less-bustling indoor mall.  We expect it to be redeveloped, but for now, go and enjoy lighter crowds, special events, and Roanoke's easier-to-shop, typically-better-stocked JCPenney and Belk locations. Plus, Tanglewood is home to my favorite biannual kids' consignment sale, Back on the Rack, which is next open on March 18.

And then dinner... One of J's Christmas gifts to K was a Mellow Mushroom gift card to help us finally try out Roanoke's new location. We were delighted by the modern, spunky, and cozy atmosphere as well as by the pretzel bites with dipping cheese.   Go Mellow when you have time to relax.   Making your pizza may take 30 minutes, but it is worth it.  There's outdoor dining in season, but this time of the year, enjoy the "living room" fireplace instead.