Took the kids to the Phoenix Art Museum today. I love that it's free Wednesday nights. Quiting my day job has put a bit of a pinch on the budget so any free exposure to culture is thoroughly embraced. My primary purpose for going today was to check out the 1920's fashion exhibit. I feel lucky to have a museum so close that has a fashion gallery. I dream of working there sometimes...then I wake up and hug my kids. Although we have been to the Phoenix Art Museum many times, every time I go, it still amazes me. Today in particular. We saw them right away. The butterflies covering the walls. To our giddy surprise, they extended down the hall, up the ceilings, and in towards the galleries. It was magnificent. I took what pictures I could with my phone, but it really doesn't do it justice. I think I could have sat there for an hour staring at it. However, my baby boy reminded me he likes to move in his stroller and standing still is not an option. We didn't have time to see the entire museum today, which was fine with us. We made sure to really take in what we could and left our 20's excursion for last. When we entered the fashion gallery, the wall was covered with Vogue and Harper's Bazaar from the era. The hand drawn art work was not only inspiring but strangely familiar. It reminded me of how cyclical fashion is. I don't really have words to describe the dresses we saw, but I don't think I have seen an equal to them...and it's possible I never will. They were ornate and delicate and surged up so much emotion in me, I could hardly get myself to leave. As museum rules go, we were not allowed to take pictures. On my own, I may have snuck in a few, but trying to set a good example, I resisting the pressing urge. We left the museum with a sense of satisfaction. We held our heads a little higher knowing we had just experienced a little slice of beauty.
