What brings you to the art museum?
Jordan, a communications major at OSU, comes here to do her homework.
I happened upon Jordan one recent weekday afternoon. Spread out on a table near the Palette Express Café, Jordan was working quietly while enjoying the view of Derby Court. Her sketchbooks bulged with giant shapes – cones and cylinders – as she tackled assignments for her beginning drawing class.
Jordan searched for the right place to work this day, “someplace other than a coffee shop.” She settled on CMA – a perfect spot to think, relax, and draw.
We’re happy she came.
We like to know that our beautiful building and art-filled galleries are not merely visited, but used. That is why, in addition to great works of art, we’ve loaded our galleries with comfortable seating – tables, sofas, and chairs. Like the local coffee shop, we have free WI-FI, dark roast, and a slightly exotic Jungle Love on most days. Like the coffee shop we are a community space where you can gather to socialize with friends and co-workers. Like the coffee shop we’re just the right spot to temporarily escape from chores, routine, and traffic. Like the coffee shop, we’ve got quieter times that are perfect for writing and reflection, as well as busy periods that are great for people-watching.
A trip to CMA doesn’t have to be a once-a-year pilgrimage. Yes, we encourage you to take time to ponder some of the great works of art we have on view. But we welcome you to realize other ways to use our spaces too. Looking for an inspiring place to brainstorm with your co-workers? Think CMA. In the mood to jumpstart your creativity, play a game, do a puzzle? Check out CMA. Need a place to unwind on your lunch break? Stop by CMA.
More and more I encounter people like Jordan who have discovered that CMA is a local treasure, not just because we have great art, but because we’re just the right place to spend an afternoon. We’re kind of like your local coffee shop, but well, with a better view… and more.
Visitors Stories and Conversations is a biweekly blog series highlighting the stories behind many of our delightful visitors.
