I landed at Reagan National airport in Washington, DC after noon on Wednesday, Dec 7th; it was 2:30 before I arrived at Grand Hyatt. I dropped my suitcase off in my room, grabbed my camera, and hailed a cab, heading straight for the Corcoran Gallery of Art . I knew that, with all that was happening during the week of the NAEYC conference, this was my only chance to get there - and they would close in less than three hours.
I've loved the Corcoran Gallery since my 1999, when my family and I spent Christmas in DC. It's been a dream of mine to return to this small, intimate gallery, to stand outside it again and to take a leisurely stroll through.
There wasn't a lot that was leisurely about this visit. By the time I finished photographing the architecture outside and stepped in, I had one hour to soak in everything I could about this wonderful place.
Near the end of my visit, a museum guard I'd befriended pointed me toward a small room I hadn't remembered ... the Salon Dore. It was almost five o'clock... the museum would close soon... but the windows that lined one wall and the mirrors that lined the others reflected the ornate architecture and rich gold colors so perfectly, so invitingly... I sat. I wanted to remember being here, being fully here, in the midst of the museum, enjoying the quiet murmurs of voices in the distance wondering why, exactly, Andy Warhol painted pictures of knives; listening to the sound of sharp heels on marble and wood floors; taking in the fading light outside; and resting, just resting, for a moment shedding the exhiliration of this visit and just resting in the museum I remembered.
That's why, despite the curious look from the museum guard, I snapped a photo, of myself, in the Salon Dore at the Corcoran Gallery on December 7, 2005.
What a beautiful photo, Sharon! It sounds like such a wonderful place to visit - so relaxing and peaceful. I'm so glad you were able to take some time to go there.
Posted by: Heather Moll | December 21, 2005 at 01:26 PM
Love the blog and anything museum-related! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Years! (oh yeah, and I'll see you at the 10 year... :)
Posted by: Kari | December 22, 2005 at 11:48 AM
i can totally see you doing doing this and the expression on your face. it makes me smile.
Posted by: Erica | December 23, 2005 at 01:11 AM
I remember the place. It was such an exciting (and freezing cold) trip you alomost missed! I am glad you were able to revisit this great hall.
Posted by: Mom | December 23, 2005 at 07:49 AM