Back from ALA
Well, I am back in town again, after my quick weekend away to DC and ALA.
First, I have to say that Washington, DC is a beautiful city. I had not been there for a good 12-15 years. And the area where I had been then, was not downtown. I was so surprised at how cosmopolitan, pretty and clean (and hopping!) a city, DC really is. (I sincerely asked my husband if he ever thought about relocating to DC. His reply is that he thinks he could NOT handle the summers.)
I arrived in the afternoon on Friday the 22nd after a crazy week at home which consisted of a Hoedown (I'll be posting those pics soon), end of school year craziness, getting kids from here to there and back again, and then getting ready for the trip to DC. I settled in to my hotel room, thought for a minute, and then decided to give myself the luxury of a museum visit with no distractions, and a great dinner out.
I saw three great exhibits at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. One was an exhibit entitled: "Illuminations"--a collection of wonderful works by Saul Steinberg. I have always loved his art, but never have I seen it up close and personal. Truly inspiring! I loved the playfulness and the confidence with which he manipulated his lines.
Also up was the art of William Christenberry along with an exhibit of folk art which he curated. I think that folk art is one of those genre's I NEVER get tired of. This collection did not disappoint. Between the three shows, Steinberg, Christenberry and the folk art, I left the museum filled with ideas about how to bring my own work to new levels of sophistication as well as naivety--at the same time. And it was wonderful to see how much the flavor of Steinberg's work was mirrored in the aesthetic of the art of the untrained artists. The three presentations were wonderful complements to one another.
Not even a block from my hotel was a wonderful French restaurant. Delicious food along a few champagne cocktails makes for a great evening. And my waiter even showed me his nice portfolio of DC photography. I came back to my hotel room thoroughly relaxed and I actually hit the sack before nine--something I have not done since about 1966. My apologies to the restaurant and the waiter--I misplaced their cards. Otherwise I would have mentioned their names and web sites (please feel free to email me, both of you).
The next day was my day at ALA, which began with attendance at the Children's Poetry Jam. This panel was moderated by Sylvia Vardell, and the panel members consisted of: Jack Prelutsky, Betsy Franco, David Harrison, Joyce Sidman and Marilyn Singer. It was entertaining as well as inspiring, since I love to write poetry. I was brought to the panel by my editor, Meredith Mundy Wasinger.
After the jam and after she and I had a great lunch at an outdoor cafe, we went back to the conference where I got ready to sign books.
I always find signing books to be a satisfying experience. This time was no different. It was a very enjoyable signing session, with me sitting there for about an hour and a half signing books for a nice steady stream of very enthusiastic new owners of Tex and Sugar. What a pleasure it is to meet people who want to buy your book. I never get tired of talking with each and every one of them.
Out to a wonderful dinner with the great folks at Sterling capped off the evening deliciously! They made me feel thrilled to be there.
Home again the next day....and back to reality....
Sounds like a fun trip.
Having gone to high school in Washington D.C., I quite agree that it's almost like America's Paris. Since the zoning laws prohibit skyscrapers, the charm of a smaller city filled with museums is inescapable.
I would spend almost every weekend downtown... soaking up the Rembrandts, Monets, Picassos, and the dozens of Smithsonian museums.
And even the supermarkets had gigantic 20 foot tall shutters on their picturewindows... just to cap off the 'Colonial' charm.
We ain't got no museums like that out west here...
jn
Posted by: john nez | June 26, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Next time you're in DC, whenever that may be, you should check out the National Museum of Women in the Arts: http://www.nmwa.org/
My family and I happened upon it almost entirely by chance. (That's my favorite thing about DC, you'll turn a corner and all of a sudden there's a museum you've never heard of.) It's beautiful in every way possible.
Posted by: Kimberly | June 26, 2007 at 11:16 AM
What a wonderful trip! Welcome home! Can't believe I've never been to DC and my in-laws even lived there for a while in the early 00's. I'll make it there someday. I simply MUST visit the USPS Stamp museum - - I love stamps!
:)
kathy
Posted by: kathy weller | June 27, 2007 at 12:02 AM
I would have loved to see that NMWA museum. I see on the web site that there is a great looking show of sketchbooks. Thta's just the kind of show I would get charged up by.
Ah, well, maybe next time.
And a stamp museum? I used to collect stamps as a kid and I would love to see that, too.
Damn. I needed more time...
Posted by: Barbara Johansen Newman | June 27, 2007 at 12:31 AM