Epic Journey to New York

6:00a.m., November 2014, wasting no time, The Student Art League took a leap of faith to New York City seeking an epic art experience. The bus was packed with over 50 students, each excited like a kid who got his first ride, first toy, first ice cream, or first movie to watch, but this time we get to watch as we walk. Some felt as if they were having an adventure from a different place, some were in a different time, and some were like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole. 

 

10:46 a.m. we land at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, once students were initiated with their their “M” sticker, students scurried in all directions in search of treasure. Some went to the American Wing to see the greatness of 17th-20th century paintings; mostly by famous artists like Eakins and Sargent. Others went to see the Egyptian Art section to feel the oozing and lingering creepy feeling of Mummies; the aura just makes you feel you are Brendan Fraser. Others who love music went to see Musical Instrument Gallery on the 2nd floor. Although the Sleepwalker by Tony Matelli museum is too huge to experience in one shot, it was a blast! Walking within the halls of “Arms and Armor” section brings back Medieval times along with ancient pistols and swords with remarkable engravings, etchings, and all sorts of décor which make them look exquisite. 

 

1:30 p.m. off to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), six floors, all with famous artworks from around the world. This museum is perhaps the most exciting for the students because the MOMA contains Picasso’s Artworks, Vincent Van Gogh’s, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Frida Kahlo, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and many more famous artists that we had seen in books and heard about our whole lives. Every room, every inch, every single space have an artwork that captivates people’s attention, and so it is hard to just stand on one artwork when you know there’s another right next to it. Amazing! 

 

3:30 pm, last stop, experience Chelsea Art Gallery District. The Professors stepped off the bus and we followed them like a Duck and the ducklings. Certainly most of the artworks at private galleries were not as famous as the one’s in the books or discovery channel, but they are all superb and mostly contemporary. Abstractions, some loaded with critical meaning that you get within one look, and some takes time for the viewer to figure out. The Flag Art Gallery presenting “Disturbing Innocence” has an alluring human size Barbie-doll-nut-cracker; and the nuts were right next to it, tempting audiences to use the artwork.  

 

6:30 pm after a long and tiring day students snacks in hand, loaded onto the bus for take off back to our own universe. Within the bus, talking about what they saw, their favorite, and their hated artworks. Others, too tired to move any longer simply doze off on their seats dreaming about the epic adventure they had. Overall, I wish you “the reader” could have been there to explore with us. Do not wait any longer, Join The Student Art League and experience the epic, the wonder, and the majestic!