Wednesday, July 27, 2016

A look at the new gardens at the Wichita Art Museum.




As I mentioned in my T Tuesday post,

my friend Sally and I came to the Wichita Art Museum (WAM) for lunch 

and to have a look at the new Art Garden that they unveiled this spring.

This familiar statue is one of 13 and it sits among some of the more than 20,000 perennials and grasses that grace the eight acres that have been totally relandscaped.

There are also over 100 new trees that have been added since the last time I was here.

This is the first year of what WAM calls their Art Garden Delights.



This modern art museum is quite small compared to those in other cities Wichita's size.

They try to have an eclectic mix of artists, but they showcase mostly glass, some of it focused on Chihuly, pre-Columbian art, a children's room, and Kansas artists.

The grounds are where they have spent their money this year, though.  On the berm directly behind the WAM sign is a new feature by the artist Derek Porter.  His installation is called Pulse Field.  Best viewed at night, the solar lights on tall poles randomly turn off and on.

I spent a few minutes walking around the grounds

while Sally went inside in the cool of the museum.

I couldn't help thinking how much I wished I had their gardener working for me.

I soon got overheated and joined Sally as we made our way to the second floor Muse Cafe.  After we ordered, I took these photos from the vantage point of the cool restaurant's gleaming glass windows that overlooked the new landscaping I had just seen below.

Also from my vantage point, I could see the new amphitheater, but not the stage which was to the right and out of view of the photo.  To the back of the photo you can see the Little Arkansas River rushing along on its way to meet the confluence of the Big Arkansas a few blocks away.

Some art I get, some I don't.  Some Most I appreciate even though I don't get it.

  Back on the ground, these new sculptures, three metal screens, are called Wind Screens by Vicki Scuri.

For the life of me I don't understand what these screens are supposed to represent, even though the brochure stated they were a "trio of screens inspired by the Kansas winds."  Again, note the raging river in the background.

More river and landscape are here

and here.

I spent a lot of time

getting this piece in focus.

To me, the river took center stage because it was really high back then.


On the other side of the museum, I found two other statues that vie for attention with the twin of the one on the river side of the grounds.  None of these are new but have been moved to different locations.

Before we left, I took this photo of glass leaves on a wall directly outside the restaurant.

Many people are disappointed with this art museum.  After all, I have been to art museums like Smithsonian, the Getty, LACMA, and Chicago Art Institute.  I have seen some fabulous art in my travels.  But if you really want to see a few good pieces in about three hours and not be overwhelmed, go to WAM on Saturday when admission is free.  Sally and I plan to go one of these Saturdays, when we will spend more time and eat from the brunch menu.  But for now, please enjoy a first look at the new Art Gardens of WAM.  And thanks for visiting and allowing me to share these art gardens with you.  I am most appreciative.

13 thoughtful remarks:

Helen said...

the gardens look fabulous, you got some great photos! I love the leaves on the wall at the end.

Krisha said...

This really is a pretty place, but I'm with you on the screens, they really don't make sense to me either.

Valerie-Jael said...

It looks good, the gardens are fabulous, and free entry on Saturdays makes it a great place to go for a stroll through the grounds and perhaps a look at the exhibits in the museum and a cup of coffee. There are some wonderful art museums in Düsseldorf, but too expensive for me to visit. Glad you had a good day out with Sally! Thanks for sharing the photos of the gardens and river, and yes, who wouldn't want those gardeners!? Hugs, Valerie

Unknown said...

Столько интересных растений! спасибо за экскурсию!

Meggymay said...

The gardens look wonderful, I was surprised to see no folk in your photos, were you lucky on that, or weren't the people there. It really made for awesome photo shots. I have to see the subject in a sculpture, I am not good at seeing what the artists were trying to show, That said, it looks like a great place to spend time, strolling around in those well kept gardens.
Yvonne xx

Divers and Sundry said...

The grounds! Wow! I love the riverfront location and the sculptures. I know I'd make this place a regular stop if I lived there. Thanks for sharing. It's much different from the museums around here, and I like how much glass they've used in the building.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! Those grounds look amazing - definitely worth another visit, especially if it's free! Just for your information - We got a buy one get one free pass for lots of the places we visit - it was free with a Gardening magazine back in May and I bought one for each for two of our sons so that they can get out and about bit more cheaply too! I love a bargain!! Hugs, Chrisx ps wish I could join you that Brunch menu looked great!

~*~Patty S said...

I actually prefer smaller museums because it is so easy to overwhelmed and over saturated in the big ones that go on and on and on.
Love all of the grasses with so much lovely green helped for sure by all of your recent rain along with the rushing river(s).
Wouldn't a gardener be grand and dreamy.
Beautiful reflections in the glass and the glass leaves are stunning.
I would very much enjoy the Chihuly.
Thanks for the tour.
I would have been inside where it's cool too ;-)
oxo

Carol said...

I love going to small art museums that have landscape art too. You don't have to fight crowds. I don't always understand the art but I do appreciate the work none the less. One of my favorite art museums is in Mount Vernon, IL. A small town in a economically distressed part of the state. It does have one of the best landscape art gardens I've seen. It's always a joy to go there. :) Thanks for sharing you lovely museum with us.

Rita said...

It does have that newly planted and sodded look to it, but very nice. :)

Linda Kunsman said...

what really gorgeous gardens-wow!! You got some really fabulous photos Elizabeth. I love grand art museums but I also enjoy the small ones -especially when I need more relaxation and don't want to overload:)

froebelsternchen said...

Wow.. this gardens are just super! I love this modern architecture and style.... super!
Thank you for sharing - I am looking forward to more about the museum !
oxo Susi

Jeanie said...

Wow -- those are fabulous museum grounds. I'm really impressed with the architecture and the outdoor art/sculpture. Are you going to take us inside? Hope so!