Blog Post 7

 Experiencing Art: Indoors and Outdoors


    I spent my weekend in St. Louis, Missouri, and it was the epitome of fall. I took a stroll around Forest Park, St. Louis’ pride as joy and home to their zoo, art museum, and other attractions. I really took my time examining my surrounding environment, as I really don’t think I had ever seen a more perfect day. A cacophony of red and orange leaves floating to the ground, while the few remaining green ones grasped to the branches with all their might. The air was crisp, but it had not yet developed its winter chill. A perfect sixty-two degrees demanded only a light sweater and jeans. It was picturesque and beautiful, resembling a scene in a movie or novel. Contrary to the leaves on the ground, the grass was still a vibrant green, as if untouched by the previous week's first nightly frost. The air smelled of earth and dirt wafting up from the soaked leaves bordering the path. I was truly in awe with the natural beauty and the contrast of manicured lawn with the collage of leaves. 
 After our calming walk, we stopped at the St. Louis art museum on the park’s grounds. I was expecting this to be a quick circle around, only hitting the main exhibits; however, as we turned the first corner, I was in shock by the exquisite display of art hanging before me. The collection was huge and it featured art, sculptures, and even furniture from different time periods or geographical locations in each room. Every turn we took offered more to look at and take in, spanning thousands of years and miles. Therefore, what was supposed to be a quick pop in, turned into over an hour long tour of this worldly collective. 
 Overall it was the most perfect way to spend the early afternoon. I was able to unplug from my normal daily schedule and enjoy time in both a beautiful outdoor and indoor setting. This exemplifies the importance of stepping away from routine and allowing yourself a break from work. I was able to clear my mind and reset for the following week. This is so important as college students live in a constant state of pressure to perform academically as well as enjoy a social life outside of the classroom. I implore all my classmates to find the simple beauty in a stroll, as there are so many tiny details that we often miss out on. Nature is always changing around our eyes, whether you pay attention or not. Therefore, take some time to reflect on it, because you never know what effect it will have on your day, your week, or even your life. 


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