chihuly magic…
January 5, 2013
I love art…I love art so much I would marry it and have bunches of creative babies with it. It grounds me, I go to it when I feel lost, I look to art to help me figure out the parts I can’t express or discover parts I never knew were there.
I often say, “I think art may just save us all in the end.”
I believe it will rescue my city…you can feel a shift even now.
This is why I am so blissed out to have access to so many beautiful works of soul and truth so close to me at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. There are even moments I feel like I am at a mini-MoMA .
I want my kids to know the power of creating, to connect with the artist that lives inside all of us- even the math loving, linear types- art is everywhere, in everything. I want varied art, lots of public and street art to be part of their every day lives. I want museums to feel like home.
So off we went. …and of course there is always the obligatory reciting of the “museum don’t touch” rules first.
Chihuly was here…Chihuly is magic and pretty much how small children see the world I bet.
They didn’t even mind waiting in line for tickets.
It also helped there was a very rad app to play with too. The kids were out of their minds.
Some time to kill means a minute to feed children already way past their lunch time… but these are the sacrifices you are willing to make for art- food can wait but it’s kinda nice when you don’t have to…and there is yummy food to eat and something pretty to look through. AND you discover there will be a My Neighbor Totoro showing at this magical place too!
…and then the Chihuly magic mixed with the art magic mixed with the family magic…it’s a beautiful thing.
They wandered around in awe of beauty and color…I don’t even think they spoke for a bit.
…and then they did. They had questions of wonder and calculation…how does he DO that?
…and then it’s over and you suddenly wish you weren’t walking to the car.
…and you are delighted to hear one kid proclaim that she is going to have a show at the museum some day…which is pretty much the loveliest thing this art lover has ever heard. …and even if she doesn’t, it so nice to know art can light her way.
Find out more about the family programs at VMFA here and don’t miss Chihuly, it’s magnificent!
*just so you know, no one paid me anything, or gave me any free tickets to the museum for this post- just an art girl at heart sharing the loveliest of days.
Kindnessgirl 
January 5, 2013 at 11:31 pm
You are so eloquent. I feel art healing and enriching our city as well. The VMFA is extra square footage for my family’s home. It’s part of what makes us rich. Your photos are beautiful. I’m inspired to see Chihuly again. Observing and creating art is such a healthy way to refill your tank so you can keep spreading kindness. Thank you for the lovely post. Go get your art on RVA.
January 7, 2013 at 6:27 pm
It IS a refill! such a good way to look at it…and so glad someone else sees and feels the healing. There is so much to love in RVA, isn’t there Mary?
January 6, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Thanks for sharing this. The pictures are stunning, and I’m touched to see the impact it had on your little ones. The seeds we plant! Very savvy – and just plain fun.
Cheers,
Alicia
PS: As a journalist, I appreciate your disclosure at the end. Looking forward to stopping by again.
January 7, 2013 at 6:27 pm
so glad you stopped by Alicia! …and thank you for the kind words.
January 7, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Hi Patience, quick Q. I’m due to publish a book on kindness and grace soon. If you might be interested in providing a quote to appear in the book – like an author quote, only from an online source, of course – could you email me off-board and we could have a chat about it? The only thing, time is an issue. On the otehr hand, it need only be one line.
Best,
Alicia
January 6, 2013 at 8:23 pm
OH P!!! That means we ARE soul sisters!! 🙂 Art-loving, Chihuly-awe-ing, kindness living soul sisters! It also means that you MUST come to Indiana with your family, stay in my house, and go to the children’s museum which showcases (straight up four stories high) Chihuly!!…it is gorgeous…and you will be stunned and awed and just NEED to be there! Please, please, come anytime! Your post was precious…{{hugs}}!
January 7, 2013 at 6:29 pm
We ARE soulsisters B!! I would love, love to see the museum in Indiana. I can not imagine four stories of Chihuly magic! Hope this new year is your best yet…the girls too. ❤
January 7, 2013 at 1:45 am
You and your girls would LOVE the Museum of Glass here in Tacoma – not only does it house a large amount of Dale Chihuly’s work, there is a hot shop where you can watch glass being blown almost any time the museum is open. If you ever get to Washington, don’t miss it!
January 7, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Ohhh, my kids would love to see the glass blown. I am always amazed by how it forms…and the colors!! I hope we do get to Tacoma some day…maybe a kindnessgirl tour!!
January 7, 2013 at 12:32 pm
I took my 11 year old niece to see the same show in San Francisco a couple of years ago. She had the same wonder. Thanks for sharing and reminding my of that memory.
January 7, 2013 at 6:31 pm
It was a special day…there is something about sharing certain things with your kids, being able to experience beauty side-by-side. 🙂
January 16, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Reblogged this on niki1k.