Memories of the Arts
Although I had grown up dancing, acting, playing an instrument and even drawing a little -- although I was not good at the latter two -- and attending art museums and performing arts events, and I have many incredible experiences at arts events, I remember the sense of pure joy and magic I felt when I saw the play Nicholas Nickleby.
I was in college, when I saw it. I sat in the cheap seats, way up in the balcony. It was long -- 8 1/2 hours -- and because the audience sat together for so long, it was a true communal event. And we all responded to the brilliant writing, acting and music, and the great story. It was enchanting and unforgettable. I am grateful to have been there.
~ Llewellyn Crain
Kansas Arts Commission Executive Director
I was 18 years old and visiting relatives in Germany. One cousin had moved to Verona, Italy for her job and invited me to stay with her a few days and see the sights in northern Italy. I was studying music in college, but had not yet seen a full-fledged opera. My cousin got tickets for an outdoor performance of Verdi's "Aida," which was held at an outdoor amphitheater there. It was a beautiful summer evening, complete with bright stars, and the magic began. The audience was dressed in formal attire and my aunt had gotten me a new dress for the occasion, complete with long scarf to wrap around my shoulders for dramatic effect. The performance had live animals including horses drawing chariots, lions in decorated cages and costumed elephants to complete the pageantry of Egypt of that century. It had the desired effect, the audience was transformed back in time. All this on the stage while we sat on stone steps as though it were thousands of years ago. The singers were inspired and the orchestra sublime. Awestruck doesn't even begin to describe that evening. Not only was that night one of the best presents anyone ever gave me, but it certainly made opera a joy to study in college. I'll never forget that evening.
~ Marie Asner
Past Member Kansas Arts On Tour
When I was a child, my parents took me and my brother to an occasional symphony concert. I knew it was an important event when we had to get dressed up to attend. Those concerts were magical for me and reinforced my interest in playing violin. I vividly remember a concert Henry Mancini conducted. "Baby Elephant Walk" and "Pink Panther" were my favorites. My brother was learning to play trumpet at the time and was so excited to see Doc Severinsen perform. As an adult, I still take a lot of joy in playing violin in an orchestra and the magic of a symphony concert still inspires me.
~ Mary Ridgway
President, Hays Symphony Guild
I had a job (beginning when I was 13 until I went away to college) being the teacher's helper for the Saturday morning classes at the Lyman Allen Museum which is on the campus of Connecticut College, in New London, Conn. I had the key to the museum. I would be dropped off by my fatherearly on Saturday mornings and I would enter the museum by myself. There was the sunlight filtering through the dust motes and lighting up the paintings and sculptures. I had them to myself, and could wander around looking at these beautiful and varied objects. My job was to wedge the clay and mix tempera paints which came in powdered
form. I would gaze at the 6' tall dollhouse that was on exhibit and daydream about the tiny and ingenious accessories. I went to art school when I was 39. I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I had come home.
~ Andrea Fuhrman, Abilene |
