The Most Touching Experiences In Arts & Culture Spaces

October 23, 2020

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Written by Kristin Martin

 

As I sit down to type this list, I allow myself to sink into the space in my heart filled with happy memories created in museums. I've collected these memories mostly during the last six years I've worked at the Museum of World Treasures. I’m excited to share these memories with you today.

 

Museums are Fertile Ground for Many People to Blossom

To illustrate this point, I’ll share a story in MOWT volunteer tour guide Larry Riedlinger’s words: “I took a tour and one of the girls started talking about the Egyptian gods, so I had her come to the front and tell everyone. When the tour was over the teacher told me the girl was severely autistic and she had never heard her talk before.” While I was not the one who gave the tour, knowing that I helped facilitate such an experience means a lot to me. I’ve seen this happen with introverted kids as well during my programs.

(Photo: Volunteer Larry Riedlinger sets up tables for a school tour activity)

 

Multi-Generational Dialogue

I love knowing that I help build exhibits that spark conversations that may not have otherwise happened. For example, imagine a grandma telling her grandkid: “Back then, they did not have enough food to go around because of the war so they’d have ration books. I had one when I was little. My mom would have to save up sugar all month just so I could have a birthday cake. Can you imagine that?” Seeing the presence of artifacts providing an opportunity for family memories to be passed along makes me so happy.

 

Appreciating the Art of Museum Practice

In visiting other museums and attending conferences with other “People of the Artifacts” (I made that up, haha), I am privileged to not only enjoy artifacts and artworks themselves but also the craftsmanship and creativity behind the museum interpretation process. I love seeing how others like me wrestle with the process of creating, storytelling, sharing, challenging, and inspiring through exhibition or program. How do they use space? Light? Color? Signs? Font? Words? So in visiting museums I observe, learn, and appreciate others’ practice in the art of interpretation.

 

Connection to Past Persons (and no, not by a séance)

One of the most profound experiences I have ever had in a museum was at the Vatican Museums in Rome. In my wandering, I suddenly found myself completely alone in an exhibit and eye-to-eye with one of the most iconic pieces of Roman art: the Augustus of Primaporta. I stood transfixed. Can you imagine? Out of the billions of people alive in the world right now and the billions who have passed on over the past two thousand years, only one person was looking at this statue right now: me. What a feeling! *insert mind blowing gif* (Photo credit: Kristin Martin)

 

I once found a fingerprint on a piece of Apulian pottery in our collection. Can you imagine who it belonged to? Can you imagine whose fingers were inside of the rings we have on display? Who carefully painted the wooden coffins? What was their experience like? I love taking the time to delve into these thoughts.

 

Collective Movement of Hearts

In my time working here, I’ve come face to face with living history. I met Dr. Don Jackson, a Tuskegee airman who used to live in Wichita. I met Col. Gail Halvorsen, the Candy Bomber and on the same day heard from a woman who lived behind the Iron Curtain. I’ve met several first responders from 9/11 and many, many more.

I’ve also seen the movement of hearts in more everyday ways. I’ve seen small children attempt to salute while observing a Presentation of the Colors, later learning about flag folding from the same service members. I’ve trembled and held back tears while listening to older generations tell of their experiences during wartime. During COVID-19, I’ve gotten to bring education to the homebound and hear the relief in their voices as they cling to our museums’ services. I’ve seen unbelievable financial generosity and sacrifice.

 

In working in the museum field I have met dear friends. I've learned from fantastic professionals. I've seen amazing care and love for health, justice, education, preservation, history and culture.

In considering the connections with people, my heart swells. I feel such excitement for what upcoming years in museum work will bring. And I am happy I’ve been able to share with you today!

(Photo: Week of Heroes Spring Break program, 2017, Museum of World Treasures)