It’s time for another Global Writing Challenge prompt. Our current membership consists of MK’s Adventures in Style, Deb’s World, Women Over 50 Living Well, Suzy Turner, Once Upon a Time Happily Ever After, Rosie Amber, and me. Sue chose this month’s theme as it is her Word of the Year. I must say, she has definitely bloomed throughout the year. If you don’t read her blog, pop on over, and you’ll see what I mean. I love the Global Writing Challenge because it’s always fun to see what others come up with…the responses rarely repeat. On top of the wonderfully different opinions and thoughts, the writing itself is wonderful! I hope you’ll visit all of these blogs because you are going to be amazed at, not only the diversity of ideas, but the stories of each person. There’s also a link party at the end of this post!
If you want to participate…
If you’d like to join in, we post on the second Thursday of the month. You can link up with me or any of the other bloggers. Here are the next few prompts of the year:
- July: Supernatural
A little history…
When I retired thirteen years ago, I had no idea how much I would miss teaching. I guess retiring so early was, indeed, one of those life defining moments. In some ways, it feels like I never taught; in other ways, it feels like it was just yesterday. As I’ve written ad nauseum, I miss teaching with every fiber of my being. In the years since I retired, I’ve tried so many different hobbies. I discovered chalk painting and painting anything that couldn’t run away from me. Then, I rediscovered knitting and crocheting. My kids beg me not to make any more afghans. They also have plenty of hats and scarves. I donated several dozen to a local homeless shelter. But, something was missing.
My happy place…
Nigel and I became members of the Indianapolis Museum of Art the very first summer we moved here. It became one of my favorite places to go. During Covid, I just kept thinking, “If only the gardens were open, we could at least go there.” Newfields, which is the name for the campus upon which the museum sits, is my happy place. You can have Disney World. I’ll take Newfields.
A new adventure…
Last December, I received an email about the possibility of becoming a docent at the museum. I replied as quickly as I possibly could! The first step was an interview. I was nervous and even a little emotional. One of the first questions they asked was why. As I fought back tears, I responded, “When I was a little girl, my family went to Mackinac Island. We took a guided tour around the island. And, I thought, ‘This is what I want to be when I grow up.’” I know it’s corny when I say I fought back tears, but it was such a visceral memory. Luckily, the tears didn’t fall. Later, I discovered pretty much everyone who had had an interview was accepted into the program.
First steps…
We started with an informational meeting in mid January. We learned, at that point, we were committing to several Saturdays over the course of several months. Each meeting would be two hours long. Eventually, they discovered that just didn’t work so they increased it by half an hour. I would have happily given them three or four hours as well as several more Saturdays. In addition, there were mandatory virtual meetings to discuss the lectures we had attended. We also had lots and lots of college level reading. We also were assigned mentors. My mentor is amazing! She has dozens of three ring binders about artists and artworks! I look forward to working with her throughout the coming year because she doesn’t stop being my mentor once I graduate.
In the beginning…
The first Saturday was an introduction to art history. I honestly had no idea about any of it. The art classes I took in college were for elementary education majors and had nothing to do with art history. I was hooked! The reading was intense as I had no context. But, I love a challenge! The professor (from Indiana University, my alma mater) took us all the way back to prehistoric cave paintings and up through the Roman and Greek eras in one lecture! We then had all that reading to fill in any blanks
A little deeper into it all…
The next two or three Saturdays were more lectures. Some of there were continuing art history. But, then we had two different professors. One was from Wabash College (my oldest son’s alma mater). She lectured on African art. I had never spent much time in the African Art galleries, but after she spoke, my interest was captured. I hope to develop a tour for those galleries in the coming years. Another lecturer was from the Herron School of Art + Design and spoke about Asian art. Again, I was fascinated. I discovered there is so much I don’t know about art as a whole and different kinds of art specifically.
Tours…
Our last Saturdays were tours. We had to create and give a five minute tour about the elements of art and principles of design, focusing on any piece of art we wanted. I used Hey Chair Be a Bookshelf bookcase which was a Style Imitating Art challenge. The next tour we had to create was centered around faces. I used three wildly different pieces, Ashoka Table Lamp, Petitot’s Dream #2, and Flowers, Mountains, Hana, Yama. The point of the second tour was to use open-ended questions in order to explain a theme. As you can see from my selections, you have to really look to find a face. I struggled a bit with this one because the only piece we discussed was the middle one. But, I now have a tour read to go once I become a full-fledged docent.
Current blooming docents…
With the exception of the first two or three Saturdays, we also experienced tours given by the docents of the IMA. Some of these docents have decades of experience. A lot of them have specialized in certain styles or galleries. These people have an unimaginable wealth of knowledge about different pieces of art as well as art movements. I’m literally in awe of them. I hope I can be half as good as they are.
Ways to bloom…
There are a couple of tours I want to explore more. One is the Lilly House. I will have to take additional classes in order to be a docent there. The other is Visual Thinking Strategies (aka VTS). One of our tours was this technique of discussing a piece of art. You ask three questions of the same person. Your attention is solely on that person. If another person answers, you remind them they will have a turn. The purpose is to look deeply at the piece of art and not worry so much about who, what, when, where kinds of things. Many people don’t like this way of discussing art, but I thought it was so personal. You bring your own biases into art just like you do with anything else.
A changing perspective…
The mission of the docent program at the IMA is changing. It used to be what many of you probably think of when you think of a guided tour at an art museum. Someone stands in front of a painting, sculpture, or whatever and just tells you all kinds of data. There’s no in-depth thinking about what is taking place in the art nor is there thought given to how the artist created the piece. IMA is moving to the more conversational model where the visitors are just as important as the docent in looking at a piece of art.
About to blossom…
I’m excited to give my graduation tour in a couple of weeks. I have to prepare for eight pieces of art but definitely discuss five of them. My preparation includes having a theme linking all eight pieces. Then I need three open-ended questions for each piece. One docent suggested using the same question for all of them. I have decided that’s not for me because I know I would be thinking (if I were in the tour not giving it), “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know, what’s the first thing you notice?” So, that’s 24 questions I need to remember. But, I have to remember which three go with which painting or sculpture. Then, I need at least two pieces of information about the painting or artist. Next, I need a transition statement between each piece of art. Finally, I have to have a “wrap it up” sentence. That one is going to be easy, but I’m not going to tell you what it is until after June 26th! I have everything done. I just have to work on memorizing those doggone questions. The information part is easy because I will be able to just look at the piece and remember what it is (I hope).
Blooming…
Becoming a docent truly has been a lifelong desire for me. It began with that long ago horse drawn wagon tour on Mackinac Island and is coming true at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I’m so excited about this because I feel like a couple of things are happening. First, I’m learning something new all the time. Neuroplasticity is so important to me. Second, I’m going to be doing something closely resembling teaching. Finally, I feel like I’m blooming under this new knowledge and responsibility.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
What others are saying…
Suzy “reflects on blooming later in life—through creativity, self-expression, and soulful growth, not babies or begonias.”
Mary Katherine is still on hiatus as she wraps up her work life, takes a trip and just relaxes for a bit!
Sue “has been watching her orchid slowly come back to life and bloom. She reflects on the joy of anticipating the Bloom and finding Beauty in the Becoming and how our own lives follow that pattern.”
Debbie: “tells us about the many ways she’s been boldly blooming since she was made redundant, and how it’s not about being fearless – it’s about showing up, growing and embracing a new way of being.”
Leslie “Now that she and her husband are both retired, Leslie and her PC are finding new ways to bloom and experience life to its fullest.”
Rosie “talks about a blooming friendship.”
And, now, it’s your turn!
And, now, it’s your turn!
If you’d like to link up your Blooming posts, you may link up here or at any of the other blogs!
Your joy and happiness ooze out of this post Marsha and I’m so happy for you. You are truly blooming and they will lucky to have you as a docent! Well done on following your passion with everything else you have going on in your life. Keep blooming my friend!
Thanks, Debbie! That’s exactly the way I feel…oozing with joy and happiness! I was so excited when I received that first email and hope to be the best docent I can possibly be. I will bloom with all the knowledge I’m going to gain!
It really sounds like you have found your happy place and I’m very glad for you!
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Cat! The museum and its gardens are definitely my happy place. I discovered that during the lockdown. And, now, I get to be apart of it!
This is fantastic Marsha, I can feel your enthusiasm energy for this and the universe has a way of listening to what we love and offering it even if we can’t quite see it at the time or it takes a while to arrive.
My husband’s aunt always like flowers arranging and gardens. She got an opportunity late in life to be a tour guide at a royal house in Gloucestershire and she absolutely bloomed under the late in life challenge. She made new friends from around the world because of the guiding and she did it for about 20 yrs. So this sounds like a new lease of life for you Marsha.
Thank you so much, Rosie! I keep telling Mike to put things out into the universe…we sometimes have to manifest it, right? That is amazing for your husband’s aunt. I’ve already made some friends amongst the other new docents and would love to create new friendships with people who visit!
Marsha, what a fabulous interpretation of ‘blooming’! You are going to be the most incredible docent—you were definitely meant to do it! If I ever get the chance to visit your part of the world, I will definitely be coming in for a tour!!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Aww, thank you, Suzy! I am so excited about this opportunity. I honestly can’t even put it into words how happy I am to be doing this. I never realized how much I love art. Yes, yes, come to Indianapolis (boring as it is) and visit me at the museum!
LOL It would NEVER be boring if you’re there, Marsha!!
I’ve actually wanted to visit Indianapolis for a while…I think the small towns look so gorgeous! I watched many episodes of Good Bones (the home renovations show!) lol
Hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks, Suzy! I always thought I’d like to live in downtown Indianapolis, but not anymore. There are so many streets going this way and that, and there are always streets closed. The area where Good Bones takes place is relatively close to my youngest son. The problem is the gentrification that’s going on. Gentrification is a good thing, but it also means the homes around those that have been renovated become so expensive (even though they’re basically tear downs) that people are unable to stay in the homes they’re renting. I loved watching that show, too, though!
I have loved reading about your transition to docent and all that goes into it. Best of luck with all that memorizing!
Thank you, Joanne! I am glad you enjoyed the post. I will need all the help I can get with the memorizing.
You will do better because you are so passionated! Is that a word?? Anywaysss, I love that dress, I just bought a very similar one! Great minds right!
Thank you, Nancy! Passionated is a fine word to me! Isn’t the dress gorgeous…it’s that wine color that’s almost brown.
What a story Marsha! I am so happy your dream is becoming a reality. I know you will make a wonderful docent! It also sounds like these tours will be so much more engaging. I get bored so easily and all the tours we took in Greece and Italy were so chock full of information that I’ll never remember. It’s a shame but maybe this new way would help build that personal connection and be much more meaningful.
So happy for you my friend!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you Kellyann! It truly is a dream come true. I remember that wagon ride as if it were yesterday and how much the idea of being a tour guide was what I wanted. I supposed, in a way, teachers are tour guides, too. I think there’s a place for both just information as well as involvement. If you have a really big group, it might be hard to hear what everyone has to say. I’m so looking forward to this part of my life!
When I’m next in Indy, I’d love to meet up at the museum!
Looking forward to the report on your “graduation” tour.
I would love that, Anne! I’ll be glad when it’s over even though it’s really just the start!
It truly is the perfect blooming for you, marsha. We’d love taking docent tours, and I know you’d be such a great one.
Xoxo
Jodie
Thank you, Jodie! I am feeling really good about it (except for all the memorization I’ve got to do)! I do still like the informational tours because I love to learn.
I really love this for you. A few of my friends retired and run tours at the Art Gallery of NSW. One did Fine Arts and one was a teacher. They both love it. It’s hard to know what to do but it’s wonderful when you find the right fit! #TellUsAbout
Thank you so much, Lydia! It does feel like the right fit as I love to learn as well as share what I’ve learned. How wonderful for your friends! They must be so happy!
I am so happy for you! You are proof that it’s never too late to do what you love. You are going to be amazing and I hope one day to go on one of your tours.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I think you may be right! I would love for you to come for one of my tours!
This is going to be an amazing next chapter for you, Marsha! You are going to be an incredible docent! Good luck with your preparations for your graduation! You are going to do great!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! I am getting more and more excited about my tour. I’ve been practicing on Mike, and he’s even giving me the right answers sometimes! Now, I just have to decide what to wear (hahaha)!
I’m so glad you found a sense of belonging and learning and joy with all of this!
Thank you, Laura! That’s exactly it… a sense of belonging and learning and joy! I am so excited about this opportunity!
I know how much you’ve missed teaching…I miss it, too. And I am thrilled that you have the opportunity to make a dream come true by working as a docent. But goodness, reading about it made me very anxious!! Remembering 24 questions, and which questions go with which piece of art. Yikes. It’s guaranteed I would mess that up royally. I love that you selected 3 very unlikely ‘portraits’ or ‘faces’ to feature together. Because the faces don’t automatically read ‘eyes, nose, mouth’ that jump out at you, the viewer has to really study the art for a bit. Great job!! You are so clever. I know you were just the best teacher and you are going to be a superstar docent.
Thank you so much, my friend! I have missed teaching so much and maybe wouldn’t have retired if I’d known the principal was retiring the next year. But, the legislature changed some things in teacher pensions, too, so it made sense, financially, for me to retire early. I have the 24 questions down as well as the information. I’ve been practicing and practicing with Mike. I just hope I don’t get a case of stage fright! I used the “Design Gallery” because I knew so many people bypass it. It’s a bit of a mishmash of different styles…more contemporary than anything. I had fun with my faces presentation but will enjoy it more giving it as an actual tour. I now will have 2 and almost three tours ready to go. I am really loving this and am already looking at two different veins in which to specialize.
Hi, Marsha – I’m so happy for you that you found the next exciting phase in your life! I like how you say to send our wishes out to the universe. That’s the way to go! Thanks for sharing your excitement. Congratulations and best wishes for your next chapter – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you, Angie! My oldest granddaughter timed me on the tour and said she could tell how much it meant to me. I have a deep faith, but I also think putting things out into the universe is a good thing, too.