Two Sisiters on the Terrace by Pierre Renior Auguste! The actual painting is features at the Art Institute of Chicago and is breath taking in person. The colors & details just pop!

I decided to take a trip to Chicago on Columbus Day and pay tribute to one of the greatest collections of art in the United States. Beings a legal holiday, Chicago had parades going on and bands playing on the streets. It was quite lively for Monday in the city!

The Columbus Day Parade in Chicago on State Street!

As I made my way through the city’s festivities, I finally made it to the Art Institute. Realizing it was a holiday in the city, explains why there was a one hour wait to get entrance into the museum. I noticed that the membership counter had no waiting. So I decided to check it out. Turned out with an E-Membership for $75, I got a branded canvas tote, 10% off food and museum store merch and one year of unlimited entrance into the museum. A day pass for an out of towner was $35, so I just need to visit the museum twice to pay for the membership. Done and done! That tote bag came in handy later in the day too!

The main central atrium in the museum dividing the collections and front entrance. That stainglass is so majestic! I thought the women on the mobile phone was a fun addition to this photo.

I just couldn’t wrap my head around the works that were at this museum. See some slides below of the classics I was able to experience. You never realize what you’re going to feel when you come across such greatness with classical art. Monet, Seurat, Kandinsky, Chagall, El Greco & Renoir to name a few.

Then there is the modern and contemporary wing. Please plan at least 4 hours to get through most of the museum. It’s so much to take in. I loved that there was influence of architecture as well as dimensional art. Many pieces by Andy Warhol. I was also able to find a nice selection of Georgia O’Keefe and a few pieces my Miro and Lichtenstein. Lot’s of stairs to climb so be prepared and wear really comfortable shoes.

After all of this art, I need some food. Just signing up as a new member, we get to utilized the new member dining area on the top deck of the museum. It used to be the piano bar, but now it’s just a lounge with a bar. Free water, tea and coffee. Relative inexpensive food items to nosh. I had a sandwich and salad for $10. Was quite fancy for the day I was having. Felt nourishing. Especially since I still had the Egyptian art and Asian/Indian artifacts to get through yet.

Quaint little lunch to nosh between art exhibits in the new members cafe.

I have to say, this was quite the experience. I’m really looking forward to return for another visit. When you can’t put a price on visiting some of the most inspiration art pieces on this planet, $75 really doesn’t seem like a lot of money spent to have that experience. It’s always nice to treat your self once and a while and give yourself a reason to return several times in a year. Think of it as a way to continue your learning about life. Art shares so much history, epistemology, experience and stories of peoples lives in their period of civilization. You can’t get that from any other source. The architecture of this amazing build also has some surprises along with the original Chicago Stock Exchange building attached to it.

Thanks for taking the time for reading my blog posts. In the comments below, share a place or an art space that inspires you. Or what is your favorite artist that you have either seen their work or would like to experience! I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time, I might just see you at the museum!

Hugs,

Scott (The Quilting Camper)

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