Friday, March 5, 2010

Road Trip to Tampa

Paul and I took a little trip up to Tampa/St. Petersburg yesterday.


Our first destination was the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg.


This museum has been open since 1982. What started as a personal collection in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1940's has grown to the largest collection of his works outside of Europe.


There are over 80 pieces of his work on display chosen from a huge vault. Some of his earlier pieces caught my eye, like this early oil painting using his sister as his model.



He designed jewelry in the 40's and 50's and the museum exhibits many of the pieces so beautifully.

This painting is "The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory" which was his representation of the consequences of the atomic bomb. The more famous "Persistence of Memory" is not included in this museum's collection. What an eccentric, prolific artist. If only I could show you a picture of his hologram of Alice Cooper's brain!


The museum is located on the harbor adjacent to the campus of the University of South Florida. What a beautiful spot to study! I suppose the banks of the coulee in Grand Forks, North Dakota were picturesque in their own way!


Next on our agenda was the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts located on the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. Despite the chilly weather, we enjoyed the river walk in front of the performance center.


The performing arts complex consists of five theaters, a performing arts Conservatory, a rehearsal hall, boutiques, and three on-site restaurants. In warmer weather, it would have been a great place to have dinner before a show.

We were there to see "Little House On The Prairie, The Musical" currently on a national tour starring Melissa Gilbert as "Ma." Ms. Gilbert may be the main draw for the larger audience, and does a beautiful job in her role, but we were there to see Caroline Innerbichler, a former student, who is a member of the company.  It was so fun to see her perform and to be able to give her a hug! She is all grown up!


If this delightful show comes your way, you must take your family. Good work, Caroline!! 

We are back in Venice and looking forward to warmer days!  I am not complaining, mind you, but the orchids are not happy. Talk to you soon.


4 comments:

Marlys said...

Great road trip! The pictures look so warm to us, but I'm sure it's chilly! Today it was in the 30's and snow is melting some. Museum looks so interesting! That is so neat that you got to see one of your students! WOW!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

One of my best friends from college was obsessed with Dali. Each year I would get her a Dali calendar. It was so fun to look at the photos & try to figure out what they were supposed to mean. Very cool art. One stands out in my mind that was a hand in the sand or something like that?

Your students sure have gone far!

veterankindergartenteacher said...

You lucky people you! I am still teaching after 34 years. My husband got laid off over a year ago and my daughter is still in college. I love my job though. How fortunate that you are able to travel like this. I love your pictures!

Freely Living Life said...

"If only I could show you a picture of his hologram of Alice Cooper's brain!" ... :)

http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/reviews/kley/kley2-18-6.asp

I would love to see "The Little House on the Prairie" musical! I bet it was amazing! :)

It looks like you had an educational and fun filled day! Thanks for sharing you adventures with us. :)