The Art Museum

They say a picture says a thousand words, and in the case of the Cleveland Museum of Art, their pictures certainly say a lot. To say that the museum is impressive is an understatement. A recent 300 million dollar plus addition to the museum propelled the already internationally renowned museum to even higher esteem; the cutting edge technology, interactive exhibitions, and of course, breath-taking works of art, make the museum not only a enjoyment, but a privilege, to attend.

If any organization has embraced the practice of experiential learning, it is the Cleveland Museum of Art. Filled with a variety of interactive activities, students, teachers, and visitors alike are welcomed to participate in surveys about the symbolism in works of art (see photo), attempt to replicate a Baroque painting using a tablet canvas, learn the history behind any work in the entire museum in seconds with the touch of a finger, and investigate the lines and shape patterns in various painting and sculptures through a hands-on drawing activity. The museum is filled with opportunities for visitors of all ages to engage stimulating and engaging activities.

I have said this before, and I will say it again. My greatest take away from my trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art is just how lucky my classmates and I were to visit the museum all throughout our developing years. Before we even learned  how to tie our own shoe laces, we were standing inches away from paintings by Picasso, Monet, and other masters. From the start of our young school days, we were taught how to appreciate, study, and interpret art. We learned how to draw our own conclusions about the meaning of Dali's "The Persistence of Memory", find the meaning behind Picasso's cubism, and question just why Rothko chose the colors he did. We supplemented our study of Africa with a visit to the ancient Kenyan pottery exhibit, and when we learned about the Egyptians, we were able to hear a lecture from a major in Ancient Egypt, while sitting before a real past Pharaoh's burial tomb.

And now, with the recent additions to the museum, future generations of students will continue to roam the museum halls with even more opportunities before them. After I toured the museum, and not to mention visit an exhibition on Pompeii, I felt so proud and lucky to have this resource in Cleveland. Even now, I feel that I still have yet to fully appreciate all the museum has to offer.

My conclusion: While they say a picture says a thousand words, at the Cleveland Museum of Art, a thousand words just won't cut it.