Western art museum delights families
By Erin Stroud
Many may be unaware that the western lands of our nation are but a couple of hours south of Chattanooga. “How can this be?” you ask. Well, it’s only an illusion, but a topnotch one. The Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Ga., is a gem just down I-75, and makes for an exceedingly worthwhile day trip for enrichment and enjoyment.
The 120,000-square-foot museum, opened in 2003, houses permanent collections of Western art, Civil War art, and a remarkable gallery of Presidential letters and portraits. The variety of artistic media is truly stunning, from fine art and sculpture to classic Western movie posters. Some special items of note are a showcase of the stages involved in casting a bronze sculpture; an exhibit of one artist’s depiction of the same range burial in two differing paintings and a sculpture; and a large, intricate, fascinating sculpture made entirely of paper. The themes of the six permanent exhibitions are The American West gallery; The Cowboy gallery; Faces of the West; Heading West; The Modern West; and The Sculpture Court. The Heading West gallery features a genuine, restored Conestoga wagon. There is much to be found in the way of enrichment and education at the Booth Museum, and we in this area are very fortunate to have such a distinguished facility of which to take advantage.
The museum also houses temporary exhibits. Those coming up include “Stan Natchez: Indian Without Reservation” (September 13 through January 8, 2012); “Booth Photography Guild Biennial Exhibition” (September 13 through November 13); and “Western Art South of the Sweet Tea Line III” (September 24 through February 12, 2012).
Be sure to check out a “Saddle Bag” at the Information Desk for your child/children when you arrive.It’s filled with family activities to make the visit more engaging. Younger children will enjoy “Sagebrush Ranch,” a high-quality, hands-on area where they can take part in more fun and educational activities than can be detailed in this space. Suffice it to say that their experience will be a memorable one (be sure to take your camera)!Oct. 20-23 of this year, the Booth Museum will host their Annual Southeastern Cowboy Festival and Symposium. The following is reprinted from the Museum’s website: “Sample the wares of vendors ranging from Western art to collectibles. Enjoy entertainment throughout the day on two stages, including Western music, fast draw competitions, three performances of the Re-enactment of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and demonstrations of traditional Native American dances by the Big Mountain Family. Plus, living history encampments with demonstrations of pioneer skills from bygone days.
The Kids Corner of the Festival and Symposium will feature a variety of free activities for children. They can create a slinky snake or a hand print horse, paint the “yard art” ponies, do some calf roping and have their face painted. There will also be pony rides available for a small charge.” The admission prices for the day are Adults – $10; Seniors (65 and over) – $8; Students – $7; Children 12 Under – $3. There are also special group rates available.
In March 2012, make plans to attend the Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Now, this is FUN! Chuck-wagon cookoff; open fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo contests (“Top musicians from around the Southeast compete for cash prizes and bragging rights”); an adult cowboy poetry workshop, children’s activities, musical entertainment; and more. When our family of four attends, we are each given a ticket to a different chuck-wagon for lunch; that way, we can sample each other’s food and vote for our favorites. Tickets for the chuck-wagon lunch are $12 each. The general admission prices are the same as previously shown.
Of particular interest to home-schoolers are the museums “Homeschool Fridays” (Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2) held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., during which students will “…discover a different artist, style and theme each month while creating [their] own masterpiece[s].” Also on tap for homeschoolers is “Home School Gathering (Ages 5-17) “Calling all Home-School Students! The Booth Museum is having a special day just for you! This program is held in connection with the 9th Annual Southeastern Cowboy Gathering. Tours will be offered several times throughout the afternoon, art activities will be located at different stations around the museum, free audio tours will be offered that day and there will be a special 10% discount for you and your family in the store and café. (Thursday, March 8, 2012, 1 – 4 p.m. $5 for students, $3 for adults.)
I can’t encourage you enough to take a day to check out the Booth Western Art Museum. There is a cafe on-site where lunch or snacks can be had, plenty of free parking, and, of course, a gift shop par excellence! So saddle up and mosey on down to Cartersville’s Booth Museum of Western Art.
HOURS
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Thursday – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Sunday – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas
ADMISSIONS
- Members – Free – JOIN NOW!
- Adults – $10.00
- Seniors (65 and over) – $8.00
- Students – $7.00
- Children 12 and under – Free*
*Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian
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