The museum has become another sanctuary, like the library, for us to go on our family adventures. New Orleans Museum of Arts (NOMA) has a new event going on this month- a crusade against lead poisoning. The artist, Mel Chin, is petitioning to the government for them to get involved in this killer epidemic- I don't have the stats, but so many people die from lead poisoning year after year, and while it has received more attention recently, there is still much work to be done to wipe it out. The artist is getting the nation and our community involved, with a take-home project for kids and adults alike. The Fundred Dollar bill is a template- fake money that you draw on, and send in to the government as part of the exhibit. NOMA is accepting the art and hanging it up to join the artist's exhibit. It is a lovely way of getting families involved and promoting the arts.
Lucas participated in the exhibit and created his own Fundred Dollar bill design:
To date, this is my absolute favorite piece of "Lucas art" ever. The notion behind the design is our dog Beau- inspired by Benjamin Franklin, Beau is wearing an old Colonial-style wig and a very serious expression on his face. The "100" contains fleur-de-lis, and the motto is "In Dog We Trust". The artist signed it on the left, and on the right I signed it ("wife/teacher/love" where the witness line is). The back of the bill is as incredible as the front- a graveyard scene and a silver moon shining down on the angel that overlooks the cemetery:
Everything is painstakingly rendered in full detail, freehand, by the artist. Needless to say, this piece deserves an exhibit of its own- but it is part of the big Fundred Dollar bill exhibit to raise awareness of lead poisoning, so it is going to a really worthy cause.
Aside from the new exhibit, we had a fun outing to NOMA recently. It brings out the spirit of childish play and curiosity in our entire family. We strolled and looked at exhibits on the first and second floors, and we pointed out the interesting ones and discussed our ideas and opinions about what it all meant. We joked around and pretended to be statues, and took lots of photos and enjoyed our family time.
Another question to ponder on the subject: Does art really imitate life?? Or is it the opposite? Either way, I hope this finds you making the time for your creative pursuits and your dreams. They say that you should do what makes you happy and the money and fame will follow. I say to do it for yourself and for the rewarding feeling of accomplishment that comes from creating something out of a blank page, an empty canvas, a quiet room, a blank wall.
