Last Sunday I went to the Butler Museum of Art in Youngstown, Ohio. I almost got thrown out …
Yup. I am a rebble-rouser… I was with two other artists and we were inspecting a painting up close – we had gone to see my piece in the Pastel Society of America International Exhibition. The show was first in New York last Fall and then 40 pieces were picked by the Museum Director to travel to the Butler for a showing in one of the gallery spaces. I was excited to be included.
But as we were closely looking at one of the pastels, an irate guard came storming up and yelled at us to not touch the paintings!
I was worried the guy was gonna have a heart attack!
Now, we are not idiots. We know the golden rule of a museum visit and I can assure you that none of us even breathed on the work. But, being artists, we are naturally inclined to want to study things up close. And this guard was just doing his job – protecting the artwork – and he apparently thought we were smudging up the glass or something, but he had a choice – ask us nicely to be sure to not touch anything, or yell like a banshee and make us feel like we had just been accosted. Well, I am sure you know which decision he made. And I could have nicely said thanks, sorry it looked like we were being naughty, and guaranteed we would be more careful or, I could have flipped the guy off behind his back. I am afraid you will have to guess which decision I made. I think the other guards at the monitors are still giggling.
Yes, please do not sneak up on me and yell. I have PTSD from my divorce.
Tee hee hee! Congrats on your piece at The Butler, it looks fabulous.
thanks!!! hugs to you!
Such a rebel!!!
yup!
The correct term is “rAbble rouser; one who incites the poor, uneducated lower classes, the rabble, to some sort of action.
perfect! now I am a knowledgeable rabble rouser!
We were at the Butler last year and set off the sensors a few times. But we just recieved a warning.
It was an amazing show.
yes, loved it!
He might have shocked you into bumping into the piece! Yeah, we’ve all been approached. As Dan Greene would say, when he held his home made canvas painting chart up to the Rembrandt, “The guard looked at me askance.”
ha! only Dan can get away with talking like that!
I can only imagine. Have a better day.
🙂
I had the great pleasure to visit the show at the Butler Museum in Ohio on Thursday and enjoyed the pastels. My friend and I also got too close to the art and a message over the speakers asked me to step back from the art.
I was looking at the beautiful watercolors of Chen Chi when I got too close. So by the time we got to the room with the pastels I was very careful not to put my noise to the works to see all the details. Congratulations on the beautiful, creative portrait of your daughter.
Patty Young
hehe.. maybe that is why he was so mad. We didn’t hear him over the speakers….?
Ha ha! That’s a great story! I remember being at the Hermitage in St Petersburg, oogling over a Raphael so closely I could have touched it (but obviously wouldn’t) with the guard sound asleep slumped in the chair in the corner.
🙂
Hell hath no fury like a woman accosted!
hehe!!
I’m glad you made the choice you did :o).
🙂
You’ve always been a rebel and definitely able to give a “Rebel Yell” when needed! AOT. Hugs!!
hehe…wanna go yell in the quad?