The South Carolina legislature sure knows how to wrap up a successful conference. On the final day of the SLC, the Council of State Governments–South and the Palmetto State’s Legislature put on a wonderful “State Dinner”–a first for most of the LEAP Ambassadors in attendance.
It was a night of class, elegance, and most importantly, celebration. We gathered at The Gaillard Center, which is home to a beautiful ballroom and a tremendous theater. In our minds, we pretended the theatre was named for our Vice-Provost, Dr. Anne Gaillard, making us feel more at home.
Entering in style, we made our way through the crowds to be seated for dinner.
The dinner began with an opening speech from Senator Thomas Alexander, President of the South Carolina Senate. He thanked everyone in attendance, welcomed us to the beautiful venue, and discussed the plans for the evening, which included an invocation by Senator Jackson and the presentation of colors by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
One of the louder traditions of the event is the annual Flag Parade, which involves recognition of each state in the southern delegation (15 states), a fun fact or two about each state, and members of that state’s delegation walking (or parading) around the dinner event, often to cheers.
In Texas’s case, there were also some boos, initiated by some unruly Oklahomans (I know, that’s redundant).
The states were introduced in order of their entrance to the Union, which put Oklahoma last. In fact, Oklahoma isn’t really a southern state, but the Midwestern Legislative Council didn’t want them, and the Southern delegation, being hospitable, begrudgingly accepted them as long as they promised to pay their dues on time.
About the time we received our dinner–a wonderful mix of steak, hashed potatoes, broccolini, and a crab salad–we were also introduced to “Kingdom Come,” an A Capella musical group who performed a delightful and interesting mix of music: “Seven Bridges Road,” “The Longest Time,” “Danny Boy,” “Down to the River to Pray,” and “Grand Old Flag.”
We also had a chance to converse with those at our tables, which incoluded lobbyists, lawyers, and elected officials. Since we all wish to do some combination of politics and law, this was fortuitous seating.
The SLC also uses this occasion to award those who have excelled in some way, and it was inspiring to see who was awarded during the 77th conference gathering.
Our dinner came to an end after the last award was presented, but the entertainment was just getting started.
The last surprise prepared for the evening was a concert performed by the band NEEDTOBREATHE. The band opened their performance with the song “The Outsiders,” a country rock tune that got everyone on their feet.
The band performed some of their most famous hits, including one of my personal favorites, “West Texas Wind.”
To bring the evening full circle, they performed their last two songs A Capella, which added a very personal touch to the evening.
The state dinner was a beautiful way to spend our last night in the City of Charleston, an unforgettable city full of southern hospitality, great food, and entertainment.
After dancing and singing our hearts out, we successfully completed the 77th Southern Legislative Conference!
Savannah, the oldest city in the State of Georgia, is a lively town with a vast and rich history. For our second day in the Deep South, we endeavored to learn more of Savannah’s history, and maybe experience some of it, too!
So, with an assist from Old Town Trolley Tours, we set out to learn more. And did we! For example, did you know that Savannah is where Eli Whitney developed the cotton gin? Or that the second deadliest battle of the Revolutionary War (The Siege of Savannah) occurred here? Or that Savannah was America’s first “planned city”? James Oglethorpe laid out the city in a grid system with 24 original squares but only 22 are still in existence today! There is a statute of Oglethorpe in Chippewa Square that is facing the south towards Florida – his Spanish enemies.
All the statues we saw were facing in the direction of their enemies since one should never give their back to them.
Our first stop was the First African Baptist Church, which is the oldest Black congregation in North America.
The church played an integral role in American history by serving as a part of the Underground Railroad, hiding those who were escaping enslavement. It was also the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached his first sermon.
Savannah has been featured in several popular films and in literature. Forrest Gump, Something to Talk About, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Lady & the Tramp are just a few of the films set in (or filmed in–or both!) Savannah. We were able to drive past and explore the famous locations where some scenes from the blockbuster films were shot, including Chippewa Square, often referred to as Forrest Gump Square since that’s where the scene of Forrest sitting on a bench waiting for the bus was filmed.
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was another highlight of our tour. Savannah once had four prohibitions: slavery, liquor, lawyers, and Catholics. The cathedral’s congregation was reorganized and established in 1796, becoming the first Catholic church in Savannah, consisting primarily of Haitian immigrants.
Although the original structure burned in 1898, the current building beautifully replaces the original while reflecting the long-standing Haitian and French influences on the region.
The trolley was an excellent way to get a glimpse into the beautiful city of Savannah! Exploring cities with a vibrant culture allows us to broaden our sense of the world through a comparison to our individual communities and experiences.
Goose Feathers Café
After a long morning of exploring, we decided to hop off the trolley at the City Market stop to head over to Goose Feathers Cafe. Greeted by the staff’s warm hospitality, we browsed menu options before ordering. Many of their menu items were named after historical streets and city celebrities of Savannah. Therefore, our entrees included the Oglethorpe sandwich, the Barnard Street Club (both the regular and gluten-free options), and the Greek salad.
The food was both delicious and flavorful, showcasing the delicious flavor combinations of the Deep South.
Mercer House
After our great lunch from Goose Feathers Café, we felt refreshed and energized, ready to continue sightseeing!
LEAP trips differ from most other educational field trips. While no class credit is earned for the trip, homework and preparations are expected. We might, for example, research a town, watch a documentary, or read a book. For this trip, we did all three!
Collectively, our favorite read for the trip was John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This book details Savannah in the 1980s through the eyes of an outsider (Berendt) who describes the murder trial of Jim Williams. To us today, Williams is something of a celebrity and savior of Savannahian architecture and culture.
To Savannahians in the 1980s, Williams was the proprietor of countless homes and host of infamous Christmas parties. To everyone, he is the subject of arguably the largest controversy in the Low Country.
The Mercer-Williams House faces Monterrey Square in the historic downtown of Savannah and was originally built for the great-grandparents of Johnny Mercer (General Hugh Mercer is Johnny’s famous great-grandparent) in 1860. Williams purchased the home in 1969, and it was almost in complete disrepair. Like the art and antique dealer that he was, Williams completely revamped the house down to hand-mixed, original paint colors, and hand-painted granite designs on the baseboards.
From a young age and under the guidance of his carpenter father, Williams renovated or restored different items. He used the basement of the Mercer-Williams as his workshop to repair the antiques, which he would later sell in the main house. Williams had a unique love for portraits, which was clearly displayed as we ventured around the house. Notable portraitists included Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Hudson, and John James Audubon. My favorite of the Williams collection was the 20 Audubon prints in one of the parlors.
The most impactful portion of the house was the study where Williams shot and killed his employee/lover Danny Hansford. Berendt describes in detail the events that did (or did not, depending on your belief in Williams’ innocence) take place in that room. The room felt heavier as we all knew we were in the room where Hansford threatened Williams with a German Luger, misfired, and seconds later fell to the ground with three new wounds.
Over the course of eight years and four trials, Williams was found not guilty by the Georgia Supreme Court, only to die a few months later at the age of 59, just a few feet from where he killed Danny Hansford.
Our experience in the Mercer Home was further enriched by having read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. With that background knowledge, we were able to associate the beautifully decorated interior with the events that occurred within the walls of the house.
Our tour guide, Max, gave a great overview of the history of the House and its few occupants. Some of the Williams family still take residence in the upper levels of the House, so sadly photography was not allowed. However, we did not let this distract us from our tour, as we visualized the scenes in the book in the rooms before us–and took advantage of much outdoor photography!
Leopold’s Ice Cream
We couldn’t leave Savannah without trying Leopold’s Ice Cream. After almost a full day of walking the historic squares of Savannah, we were due for a cold yet sweet Savannah tradition.
Leopold’s is known for their rich homemade ice cream dating all the way back to 1919. They pride themselves in having the “Best ice cream in Georgia.”
Due to Leopold’s reputation and the ice cream shop’s popularity, we were met with a long line and waiting time. To maximize this time we thought about the flavors we would order, perspired, and waited some more.
After a long debate and thought, I opted for the Butter Pecan and one of Professor Yawn’s favorites, the Peanut Butter Chippy. Olivia decided on the coffee chocolate chip; Ingrid, the vanilla. Jessica had a scoop of Rum Bisque and a scoop of Chocolate Chewies and Cream. Morgan took a different route and opted for a combination of lemon custard and coffee chocolate chip, a weird combination if you ask me. Nonetheless, we were all very pleased with our selections, and a majority of us would agree that this is the best ice cream in Georgia!
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is one of the “Golden Isles” of Georgia, and it is one of the most popular. Interestingly, it is owned by the State of Georgia, and it is governed by its own board of directors, which limit its development. That’s a happy reality for us, because we were visiting to explore some of its more natural elements.
And while we may have been there to see the island’s natural elements, but this did not stop us from driving through the “historic district,” where wealthy individuals such as Frank Henry Goodyear (Goodyear Tires) and William Rockefeller had houses. They were beautiful, and more closely resembled mansions than cottages.
Our main destination, however, was “Driftwood Beach,” which features hundreds of dead trees, victims of beach erosion. At low tide, these trees lie in impossibly intriguing angles across the beach, perfect for climbing, posing, or nature photography. We attempted all three.
Not all of the Ambassadors, we learned, are equally adept at climbing.
Or taking photos.
But, generally, we persevered, got a few notable photographs, and we experienced the beauty of a natural setting in the Georgia Low Country.
With that accomplishment, we traversed the Sidney Lanier Bridge (whose poetry we read prior to traveling, and whose home we stopped by yesterday), and returned to Savannah.
There are many “must-sees” in Chicago, and while I was there for three weeks, most of my time was devoted to taking classes at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, so I had to pursue my many must-sees judiciously and leave a few out. But I can say with certainty that if the Art Institute of Chicago isn’t on your must-see list, it should be.
It is a majestic building, a beautiful classic building. And while I was amazed by the intricate exterior architectural elements, I was completely blown away by the artwork on the interior.
I have heard of people spending hours in an art museum, but I never thought I would spend five hours in an art museum. But I did. There was a lot to see, and I still didn’t see at all.
With all of that art, it is difficult to highlight only a few. But Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks is one of those.
Hopper has always been difficult for me to identify, but I certainly recognized this painting, with its emphasis on loneliness and isolation in the middle of a presumably large city.
And if you haven’t seen Nighthawks, you have likely seen images or replications of Georges Suerat’s Sunday on La Grande Jatte. In fact, in my old apartment, I had a jocular version of this painting featuring characters from The Office. The real painting is much better, if perhaps less humorous.
In one of the featured exhibits, Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape, they featured the studies of Sunday on La Grande Jatte, amongst other impressionist works. This is where I was lucky to see the different versions of the sketches and the number of changes they underwent for the final version. Although Seurat’s style departs somewhat from impressionism, I did particularly like this painting after I saw how it all came together.
Other favorites of mine included the Chagall windows, a work by the ever-present Henry Moore, a Calder sculpture, a study of a work by Calatrava, and a piece by the wonderful Georgia Okeeffe.
Interestingly, I saw the larger versions of Calder’s and Calatrava’s works in Chicago… The Calder sculpture is 53-feet high!
BUT . . .however long I spent in the Museum, I had to make time for at least one sculpture outside the Museum: the Bean. Formally called “Cloud Gate,” this iconic sculpture by Anish Kapoor is one of Chicago’s key tourist attractions, and I confess I spent much time exploring its smooth, reflective surface, with selfie camera in hand!
The Wynne Home has been very active this month, hosting many wonderful artists and speakers from the community to raise cultural awareness and highlight some of the wonderful talent we have in town. And this week, the Wynne Home featured Grady Hillman and his 1984 award-winning film “Lions, Parakeets, and Other Prisoners,” depicting the complexities of incarceration through poetry.
Many of our city’s key figures were in attendance; Sarah Faulkner, the Cultural Services Director for the City of Huntsville; Tammy Gann, the Economic Director, City Manager Aron Kulhavy, Dr. Ralph and Mrs. Linda Pease; Dr. Carolina Crimm; Kristie Stevens, a writer for the Huntsville Item; and Cheryl Spencer and Dr. Joe Kirkland.
Professor Mike Yawn started off the night with an astounding anecdote, recounting one of his only memories as a sixth-grader, a bomb threat at his school. The students were moved to a safe location, where a poet was brought in to entertain the 1,600 restless, rowdy, and unruly children during the delay. That poet, hired at the time by Linda Pease, was in fact Grady Hillman! Funnily enough, Hillman could not only recall that day, but he wrote a poem about the entire endeavor– and he happened to have that poem with him! He asked Yawn to recite this poem, and the two of them relived that day more than 40 years ago, adding in commentary as appropriate. As an audience member, I felt very lucky to have witnessed such a moment.
Hillman introduced the critically-acclaimed docu-drama’s background, of course, highlighting the city of Huntsville. The film depicts the Walls, Wynne, and Eastham Units, centered around a poetry class Hillman lead in our local prisons.
Consisting pieces of poetry written and reenacted by Hillman’s students, the film captured the emotions of an incarcerated person’s experience, transcending the class meetings altogether. The title of the film is even a reference to two of poems read during the film in which two animals, lions and parakeets, are assigned to their respective cages. I must admit, my favorite detail within the film was its rhythm, which made both the dialogue and the poetry all the more profound. One of the most special parts of the night was when the credits started rolling, with the audience members seeing the names of longtime friends in the community.
Hillman concluded the night with an informational on his newest book, “Arts in Corrections: Thirty Years of Annotated Publications,” an annotation on the arts and education programs in the prison system, which is on sale at the Wynne Home.
Interestingly, in 2012, Hillman suffered a stroke that left him unable to write, read, and speak. After doing intensive therapies to regain those abilities, he has, he noted, become an editor of his own work. Going over his life’s activities and curating them, and the presentation of “Lions, Parakeets, and Other Prisoners” is part of that process. We were fortunate to be a part of it.
After the event, Hillman was generous enough to sign books. When I went to get my book signed, we had the opportunity to speak about the culture of each individual prison. Having visited 16 prisons from 1981-1984 alone, Hillman noted that his experiences were each unique to the prison. He did note, since he began the writing courses in Huntsville, that within the first year working there he knew most of the problems within the prison, the second year he knew how to solve the problems, and within the third year the problems changed, and he couldn’t even recall the initial problems.
It was truly a pleasure to get a glimpse into the immense experience and talent of Grady Hillman. We were further reminded of just how rich and deep the culture of Huntsville possesses, appreciating just how special of a time we all shared reflecting on it.
After a long night of planning and work, the LEAP Ambassadors began their second day of the retreat. Our plan was to go to the Stark House in Orange, but an event they were hosting precluded tours, so audibled and went to….
Tyrrell Park
By Ingrid Cuero
Starting off our second day strong, we headed to Tyrrell Park in Beaumont, Texas to reinforce our technical skills in outdoor photography. After familiarizing ourselves with a few of the photography basics, such as the exposure triangle, we had the ability to focus on the subjects of our photos as opposed to how to capture them.
Delving deeper into our understanding of photography, we realized the importance of patience when working with wildlife and its unpredictable nature. Although the park featured a large marsh, it turned into a beautiful scene of illuminated waters with alligators, interesting landscapes, and stationary, singing red-winged black birds.
With the adjusting of our camera settings, we were able to capture some beautiful pictures of Purple Gallinules, Egrets, Ibises and Swallows.
I was able to get a great shot of a Great Blue Skimmer, its translucent wings appearing ever-so-slightly against the lily pads.
Many, if not all LEAP Ambassadors walked away with pictures they were proud of, becoming acclimated to the qualities of a good photo. We thoroughly enjoyed the chance to work at different points of the day with various creatures to truly improve our skills.
The Stark Museum
By Olivia Discon
After a trip to Tyrrell Park, where we took photographs of a new frontier (for us, that is), we traveled to the Stark Museum to gain deeper knowledge of early Western art. Upon arriving in Orange, Texas, we spotted, by chance, a James Surls piece on Lamar-Orange’s campus! We took advantage of this unique opportunity and snapped a couple selfies and photographs in front of the piece.
It didn’t take long to realize the prominence of the Stark name in this town, as we passed by the Lutcher (Stark) Theater and the massive, historically preserved Victorian family home. The Stark Home gave the group a sense of great anticipation for the museum!
We were able to see the lavish, custom Ford Model-Ts that William Henry Stark drove almost immediately after entering; giving us the impression that this museum would have an extensive and captivating collection. However, we hadn’t anticipated how true that was!
To our surprise, some of the first works we looked at in the Western Art gallery were of the same birds we took pictures of at Tyrrell Park, all done by John James Audubon!
Some key figures of the Western art movement are Frederic Remington, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran, all of which were featured in the American Western gallery.
We were able to experience some introductory Bierstadt pieces yesterday at the MFAH, but the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a specific niche of art history was incredible. Morgan especially enjoyed “White Mountains, Mount Adams”…
…a study of mountains done with oil paint on cardboard, as well as John James Audubon’s personal copy of “The Birds of America” prints.
A work that resonated with Ingrid was “Indian Women Playing Ball on the Prairie” by Seth Eastman, providing an undertone of unfounded commentary for the time period. The painting depicts a swap of gender norms, depicting the women playing lacrosse, and the men idly chatting and spectating the game. The gallery had several amazing pieces that highlighted the allure of the unknown, further romanticizing the idea of westward expansion.
An artist we enjoyed thoroughly without encountering his work before was William Herbert Dunton; a Western artist with several black and white paintings on display. Yvette preferred “The Landing of the American Troops Near Guanica”, and I enjoyed “My Son–My Only Son–is a Coward”. Both pieces had incredible depth and shadowing, which enhanced the emotional and imaginative value of the paintings within the gray-scale.
The Indian American exhibit was another favorite of the LEAP Ambassadors, which was of great interest to Western artists in their own exhibition. However, the innate diversity of Native American art was mesmerizing in its own right. The oil paintings, textiles, and sculptures had an enthralling vibrancy about them, which provided a great contrast to the black and white gallery wall of the Western Art exhibition.
While we weren’t able to take a picture of the painting, we were able to see a Georgia O’Keeffe “Gerald’s Tree”! Consisting of a dying cedar tree on a Western landscape in New Mexico, the highly notable appearance pleasantly surprised us.
What stood out to me the most was a traveling exhibition on display: “Hunting Pictures from the Collection of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation”. Game hunting was considered a sport of nobility for upper class citizens to indulge in during the 1700’s, as prohibition laws surrounding hunting were relenting over time. This is reflected in the portraiture of the elites of society, as several paintings included hunting dogs and hunted game alongside the subject.
This museum, as Professor Yawn noted during the visit, has an impressive collection relative to the size of the town. The subject matter allowed us to gain insight into the historical perspective of some early explorers and indigenous people who essentially founded one of America’s first art movements, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the era and its artists.
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
By Yvette Mendoza
Continuing our adventure through the coastal wetlands of East Texas, we embarked on our next voyage to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. It was a treat to observe how our knowledge of the animals expanded, connecting the ones we saw in Tyrrell Park with those that soar high above the marsh and lurk in the swamps of Anahuac, Texas.
While swatting away insects that seemed particularly drawn to the LEAP group, we took care not to disturb the stunning butterflies we came across. We also encountered numerous Blue Skimmer Dragonflies and Green Dragonflies, which gracefully posed for our photographs, showcasing their vibrant colors and crystal-clear wings.
Apart from these airborne creatures, we also marveled at the birds. The sheer number of Snowy Egrets flying overhead, searching for food and shelter in the coastal region of Texas, left us mesmerized. Similar to the egrets, we had the opportunity to capture the beauty of the Great Blue Heron.
This Heron stood out from the rest, as it confidently stood up at the post, and was ready for its close-up and unafraid of our cameras. We were fortunate to observe the Red-Winged Black Bird frequently, with its vibrant red dots on each wing, as well as the Common Gallinule. We even witnessed a mother Gallinule walking alongside her young in the swamp.
After encountering many of the local birds and some of their key characteristics such as beak type and coloring, we began to build our repertoire of identifiable birds.
We quickly learned to distinguish the White Ibis from other soaring birds due to their curved beaks and bright red faces. For instance, their beak shape is specialized for catching fish or breaking nuts.
Transitioning from birdwatching, we took a drive around the park, marveling at the reflection of cattails in the swampy green water. Our eyes were keen not only on the flying animals, but also on the most fearsome residents of the water – the famous alligators. Witnessing over 15 alligators at Anahuac Wildlife Refuge was truly astonishing. Additionally, we spotted turtles and ducks leisurely living their lives in the water, unaware that they could become the alligators’ next meal.
To conclude our nature walk, we strolled along a boardwalk that rose above what used to be a marsh filled with water. Now, it lay as an enormous dried-out muddy pool beneath us. Though unexpected, the view was undeniably stunning and too captivating to miss to finish off our adventure with the perfect sunset selfie of the LEAP Ambassadors!
The time has come for the LEAP Ambassador’s summer retreat! The organization prides itself in its forward-thinking nature, which is done to maximize our education and serve our community with intent and efficiency. This retreat was also something of a microcosm of our larger efforts, stressing broad-based and experiential learning.
Phoenicia’s Speciality Foods
By Ingrid Cuero
With a long day ahead, Professor Yawn, Stephanie Fors, Olivia Discon, Michelle Cardenas, Yvette Mendoza, Morgan Robertson, and I met for lunch to fuel ourselves at Phoenicia Specialty Foods: A Mediterranean market that houses many delicacies, including deli, cheeses, and desserts. It is more of a grab-and-go eatery, so there were many people coming in-and-out as we looked and picked out our choice of foods. This was many of the group’s first time visiting the market, and for some members, it was the first time having middle-eastern food!
Olivia decided to eat a Lemon Chicken Soup with Pasta Pesto Salad.
Both Michelle and Morgan decided to get the Specialty Shawarma Wrap, Michelle having chicken and Morgan having lamb.
Yvette decided to get the regular Lamb Shawarma dish with veggie grape leaves as her side. I stayed with the classic rice, beans, and grilled veggies as my side, with an additional zucchini soup to top things off.
We took the time to catch up after a few weeks of summer break between us, sharing our summer activities and some laughs throughout.
After sharing some pastries, which consisted of baklava, lemon custard, and cookies, planned out the day in a bit more detail, and we were ready to take on our day!
Betty Moody Art Gallery
By Yvette Mendoza
After indulging in Phoenicia’s, our bodies fueled and ready, we set off for our first destination: the Betty Moody Art Gallery. The moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the awe-inspiring artwork on display…
…and to our delight Ms. Betty Moody was there, and she graciously offered to give us a personal tour.
Each art piece came alive as Ms. Moody passionately explained the work’s intricacies. As we entered through the main entrance, our attention was drawn to the collection by Andrea Rosenberg. Ms. Moody skillfully unraveled the hidden depths and artistic techniques behind Rosenberg’s floral paintings, revealing the significance of every brushstroke. From the choice of Japanese rice paper to the spontaneity and simplicity that belied years of experience, it fascinated us to discover the immense skill required to create such seemingly effortless abstract flowers.
We witnessed this contrast in two paintings placed on opposite sides of the faller – an exquisitely delicate blossom alongside a vibrant explosion of colors behind a boldly outlined orange flower.
We have learned of Rosenberg’s painting method, using thumbtacks to hang her canvases on the wall at a height convenient for her stature, and then getting to work. Often working quickly, Ms. Rosenberg can fill even large canvasses quickly.
Ms. Moody’s generosity extended beyond technical explanations; she also shared the rich histories behind many of the pieces, some of which she had in her own kitchen and bedroom adjacent to the gallery! Each piece held a profound connection to the past, including sculptures and artwork spanning thousands of years from Roman culture to the present.
Among the treasures was a calamari serving platter crafted from walrus tusk, artfully shaped into adorable seals, each possessing its own unique value.
As we delved deeper into her collection, we encountered various art styles, from a signed Campbell’s soup can symbolizing the Pop Art style by Andy Warhol, to sketches by her dear friend and talented artist Luis Jimenez, known for his remarkable sculptures of mustangs and his skill in sketching classic cars.
Lastly, Ms. Moody showcased the remarkable silver jewelry crafted by her beloved husband, Bill Steffy, which, while distinct from pop art or drawing, exuded its own allure, featuring beautifully designed metal skulls and silver jewelry that she was wearing.
Our gratitude to Ms. Moody is such a great amount. Every item she owned or curated in her art gallery possessed a profound meaning, and she concluded our visit by emphasizing that she doesn’t think of art as an investment, but rather simply thinks of it as a way of life.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
By Michelle Cardenas
Our third stop was the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, which was my first ever visit to a museum! We entered through Olafur Eliasson’s yellow-casted walkway, “Sometimes an underground movement is an illuminated bridge” to begin the experience.
Professor Yawn took Olivia, Ingrid and I on a tour through the museum, highlighting the various art periods, their historical significance, and key artists of each era. Starting with the Realism art movement, we had the opportunity to view a gallery that encapsulated the art world before the invention of the camera; resulting in a desire to capture life in extreme detail and realism. Olivia particularly enjoyed “Sheerness as seen from the Nore” by Joseph Mallard William Turner.
Personally, I was attracted to a Jacques Raymond Brasscassat piece titled “A Bull Fight”.
We progressed through time and expanded on the influence of technology on art.
The introduction of photography brought a sense of liberty to artists; allowing them to create works that were a reflection of their personal perspective as opposed to objective relativity.
Many artists like Claude Monet began to develop new techniques, particularly impressionism.
The Impressionist era was followed by even more new techniques and styles, suggesting that ideas really do beget ideas. And we learned about pointillism and fauvism, which redefined what society considers a masterpiece. A piece that Ingrid enjoyed was “The Bonaventure Pine” by Paul Signac, which features the technique. When you look closer, you are able to see color theory at play!
We then got to the early 20th century, where I got to see my first Picasso painting, “Le Rameur” or “The Rower“.
Both Pablo Picasso and George Braque are accredited for inventing a technique called Cubism, a movement utilizing geometric shapes to create a painting that can be seen from several angles.
We ended our tour with some American art pieces, many of which focused on the American dreams of westward expansion, highlighted through dreamy landscapes and featuring Native Americans. Here I discovered one of my favorite artists of the museum; Albert Bierstadt. The early American landscapes were breathtaking and captured the allure of the unknown frontier.
Before we left, we had the pleasure to visit Yayoi Kusama’s “Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity“, an immersive experience in which a subtle, fleeting burst of light comes and goes. Kusama, who is known for her work with polka dots, uses a similar assortment of lit lamps that are infinitely mirrored. The experience was both beautiful and incredibly thought provoking.
Special Exhibits: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish
With the MFAH possessing some beautiful Impressionist-era pieces in their general gallery, Morgan and I were treated with a special exhibit that had both Impressionist and Post Impressionist works on display! We were able to see works by Cezanne, Renoir, Cassatt, and even a Van Gogh, called “The Rocks”. We were both delighted to have experienced such renowned pieces in person.
We also had the privilege to attend a truly immersive experience: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish by Pipilotti Rist. This captivating installation consisted of crystal-like neon balls hanging from the ceiling, creating a breathtaking visual spectacle through a stunning light show. Stepping into this immersive environment felt like traversing the threshold into an enchanting and surreal realm, where reality blended seamlessly with imagination.
Thanks to the many opportunities the LEAP Center provides to expand one’s cultural awareness, I was exposed to new concepts and artists I was otherwise unfamiliar with. If a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston taught me one thing, it was that art is extremely reflective of the world events occurring within that time period. It was an excellent opportunity for us to familiarize ourselves with these classic masterpieces!
High Island
By Ingrid Cuero
After experiencing a day filled with remarkable works of art, it was time to hone in on our own craft: photography! A major focal point of our retreat is to ensure that each ambassador has the opportunity to develop a well-rounded knowledge of the world around them, which includes nature. With that, we traveled to High Island in Galveston just before sunset to practice our photography and, we hoped, to spot some wildlife–which we did, almost immediately!
Upon arrival, I saw three bunnies having dinner on the far side of the park. Taking slow steps into their direction, I went to them and captured a few photos before they took notice and fled the scene. Michelle was able to get an even closer photo!
We then walked onto the trail to the lake, where we spent most of our time. Some would say outdoor photography is its own beast, as you must adapt to the unpredictable conditions of nature to get a perfect shot. As many of us on the trip are familiarizing ourselves with the inner-workings of photography, this was a perfect way to apply what we have learned so far.
We had plenty of opportunities, as the landscape was filled with birds, turtles, and alligators, along with a beautiful sunset before us.
During this time, we tried to educate ourselves about the many species of birds we captured (by camera, of course). A few breeds of birds that we saw included the Roseate Spoonbill, the Great Egret, and the Little Blue Heron. Mating season for these birds is between April and May, so we saw many nests with baby birds secured in them.
Professor Yawn explained to the group some interesting information about male birds in real time! Male birds, we learned, can be very territorial, leading to physical fights against other birds, and we saw many such examples of this type of behavior.
And with that, the LEAP Ambassadors ended a successful first day on their summer retreat! We had a fun-filled day focused on challenging ourselves to take initiative on the concepts we can improve on.
You may know the Wynne Home for its beautiful architecture; or, you may know it for its regular art exhibits; others know it because of the great programs it offers, such as Empty Bowls or its annual Easter Egg Hunt. But the Wynne Home also offers a speaker series, and last week, Dr. Michael Strutt, the Director of Cultural Resources for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, discussed how our State Park system–just like the Wynne Home–is multi-dimensional.
Before the event began, I had the opportunity to look at the newest exhibit being shown at the Wynne Home. Under a Texas Sky by Derrick Birdsall was a beautiful back drop to the conversation about past Texans and the natural landscape the Texas Parks and Wildlife has worked so hard to protect.
I was also able to enjoy refreshments provided by the Friends of the Wynne and mingle with Miranda Estrada, a former LEAP Ambassador who–two degrees later–is working as the City’s Economic Development Specialist.
I also introduced myself to Dr. Strutt before the event began to discuss career opportunities within the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the powers held by the Texas Game Wardens and Park Police, and living in Austin.
Sarah Faulkner, the Cultural Services Manager for the Wynne Home, began the night by introducing Dr. Strutt. Ms. Faulkner actually met Dr. Strutt when she was working for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the Battleship Texas State Historic Site. Dr. Strutt, originally from Virgina, has held his position for the Texas Parks and Wildlife for 21 years and received degrees in Anthropology, Earth Sciences, and Archeology.
Dr. Strutt started the presentation by explaining of the organizational structure of the Cultural Department. The department is divided into five smaller departments: archeology, archeology collection, preservation, cultural services, and the regional cultural services. All of the departments, except for the regional services, work out of the headquarters in Austin. The department does a lot of various tasks to ensure the preservation of our past such as fixing, cataloging, and restoring historic buildings, furniture, and other historic objects, as well as cleaning and waxing statues. With over 60,000 historical objects catalogued in Portfolio and a web application that TPWD employees use to reference historical objects that are all over the state, Dr. Strutt and his team stay very busy.
He went into depth about specific projects the Cultural Resources department has worked on, projects that are currently in the works, and the next steps for the Texas Parks and Wildlife. One of the projects I found the most fascinating was the restoration of adobe buildings at a fort in West Texas. The Cultural Resources department not only found a specialist to ensure that the building was restored, but they taught the Rangers, Interpreters, and other Park employees how to restore the building.
Dr. Strutt emphasized that every employee must know the history their park and how to care for it to ensure that the employees could answer questions from the public and, more importantly, take pride in their parks. Another recent project that took place was very close to home, as the Cultural Resources office helped Huntsville State Park redo the siding on the boathouse build by the Civilian Conservation Corps over 80 years ago.
In the field, the Cultural Resources team is also working hard. At Seminole State Park, archeologists have just recently discovered a fire pit that was last used over 2000 years ago. The site was discovered during an archeological survey before a pump station was built. At Caprock Canyon State Park, after years of erosion along the cliffs, archeologists apart of Dr. Stutts team have discovered a large deposit of Bison remains. They believe the location was a site for meat processing for a Native American tribe at one time. Dr. Strutt informed us that once more research had been included, both of these sites would be a part of the interpretation of their respective parks.
Being that is it that centennial year of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Dr. Strutt and his team have been working on various projects about the history of the department itself. He told us all about the first female superintendent of a Texas State Park, Carrie May Ferrell. Ferrell was the Superintendent of Stephen F Austin State Park during the early 1930s, but she was not the only female trailblazer in the Parks Department. Ethel Harris was the Superintendent of Mission San Jose for 22 years, before her retirement in 1963, while also running her own art business. Learning about the conservation efforts of women before women were widely accepted into the workplace was more than inspiring.
While we spend a lot of time discussing Texas’ past, we also discussed the future, that is the future of State Parks. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently announced that they will be opening two new natural areas and three new state parks soon. Before any construction can begin, archeological studies must be conducted, interpretations of any objects must be researched, and much more will be done by the Cultural Resources office. There are also new technologies being introduced to parks to make them more accessible such as free interpretation apps for individuals who are visually impaired. These apps are alert individuals of trail signs and actually read those signs, whether directions or interpretations, aloud. The technology is actively used at Palmetto State Park currently.
At one point during the presentation, Dr. Strutt was talking about why he likes his job. There were a lot of different reasons, but the one that stood out to me was when he said, “I get to see your parks.” A sentence as simple of that was enough to remind me that the parks, historical sites, and everything in them are parts of what Texas was and is. It was a beautiful remembrance of how connected we are to those who came before us.
The night concluded with the Friends of the Wynne presenting Dr. Strutt with a book reflecting art made out of interpretation for the state parks. Dr. Strutt was kind enough to stick around for a while to chat with attendees.
When I went to thank him for the riveting presentation, he commented on the number of State Parks I had visited. Whenever he would discuss a project, he would ask who had been to that park and most times I would raise my hand. We discussed the state parks we had both been to and which were our favorite, neither one of us could pick just one park but we both had an appreciation for Lost Maples. He suggested I go to Palo Duro Canyon, a state park I have always wanted to visit, and informed me that there was no sunset like the sunset on the canyon.
LEAP is all about new adventures and experiences and although it took me a bit to adjust to a new and bigger city (editor’s note: the girl is from Houston, but she was a homebody), I was more than happy to explore what Austin has to offer, and that made for an artful weekend!
For many, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I don’t steer away from that. Missing home and my parents cooking, I decided to check out the La Yaquesita food truck. With many options to choose from. . . gorditas, tacos, tortas, sopes, and much more, I opted for what my heart most desired . . . chicharron prensado tacos made with freshly made maize tortillas. These delicious and flavorful tacos did not disappoint and were definitely a great start to my morning.
Austin has many historic homes you can visit, but I chose to visit one of the oldest – the Neill-Cochran House Museum – located in the heart of the city. This beautiful structure resembles Greek Architecture visible through the symmetry and use of Doric columns. The home was designed in 1855 by Abner Cook, who was commissioned by a young couple, Washington and Mary Hill , to construct a nice Greek revival home. [Cook is also the architect who designed the Governor’s Mansion and if you have seen them both you can easily see the similarities.]
After becoming the capital of Texas, the City of Austin rapidly expanded, and its economy rose as many wealthy and prominent individuals moved to the city. Before they knew it, the young couple’s dream home was no longer within their means. And despite their attempts to finance the home, they were not able to finish the construction.
Consequently, this home passed to different owners and for different purposes: it was a school for the blind, a hospital during the civil war for soldiers who were recovering from yellow fever and cholera, and a home that was privately owned.
And although it was built as a private home, it didn’t actually become one until 1892, when the Neil family, Colonel Andrew and Jennie, moved to Austin from Galveston and purchased this home for its majestic appearance. During their time in the home, they threw elegant parties, were known for their wine cellar (which is not open to tour), and entertained politicians.
The home was later purchased by Thomas Cochran, and he and his wife, three children, mother, and father-in-law lived in there. Although a large home, I suspect those living arrangements were cramped. The home is furnished with some of their original furnishings and other pieces from the same period.
The first floor consisted of a double parlor (where weddings took place throughout the history of the home), a French parlor, kitchen, and a dining room. The second floor consisted of all the bedrooms and a balcony, although safety concerns precluded public access.
My favorite part of the the house was the double parlor. Upon walking into the room you are welcomed by a grand space and a portrait of Mary Cochran Bohls. The room had a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling, dainty lace curtains, fancy sofas, a kids trojan horse, and an absolutely beautiful melodeon (organ like piano). I was blessed to be able to hear a tune out of this piano as the staffer there showed us how it worked. As you made your way around the house you could see portraits of family members, the floral themed carpets that would have been installed during Thomas Cochran’s time, as well as servants’ entries. As I explored the bedrooms, I was amazed to learn about their stories, the similarity in toys/ dolls that they grew up with and the ones that I did, and to see the tiny shoes they used to wear.
On my way out of the home, I was also able to see the structure originally built for slaves, but which mostly served as servants’ quarters.
I then ventured off to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden where I not only admired the sculptures but also attempted to reenact some of them. Charles Umlauf is an American sculptor born to French and German immigrants. His work varied from expressionism to abstraction, while also utilizing different materials: wood, terra cotta, cast stone, rich bronzes, luminous marbles. Within the garden there was a mix of his work: sculptures of animals, religious and mythological figures, family groupings, etc. Although it is small, it is quite intimate and allows you to have fun with friends and family.
It was a nice follow up to the Neill-Cochran House Museum and a nice segue to Zilker Park, where I played frisbee and enjoyed the nice weather.
Although I had many other interesting adventures throughout my Austin internship, this occurred early in the semester, when it was still possible to relax a bit and learn as much as possible in the process.
Of course, just working the session in Austin is an adventure, and although my opportunities for relaxation declined over the course of the 140 days, the adventure and the learning never did!
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics 