The Cleveland Museum of Art reopened

Well, Sunday our beloved Cleveland Museum of Art reopened its doors after three years of renovation and more on the way. The reviews are mixed so far (at least from my nutty art obsessed friends who were there for the ribbon cutting and musical introduction.)

Now I wanted to be there, participate in this monumental occasion but alas, with two little kids it's hard and a husband who although likes art, still has not forgiven me for making him walk Rome for 8 hours carrying his Armani shopping bag (I told him to wait to shop but he didn't listen) as I basically acted as the "expert" for the day talking his ear off about the significance of what was around him and the profound impact it had on me growing up just hours away. I do believe at one point he fell asleep while walking.

So back to CMA's opening, yes I wanted to go but couldn't. So I had my friends give me all the details about the changes. From what I'm hearing, bring your walking shoes and grab a map because you'll need it.

Visitors entering from the parking garage have to follow a yellow arrow path cleverly titled "Art detour". However you can still get in at the main entrance from the south if you park on the street. As you walk in, the Guelph Treasures that decorated the main rotunda are gone and the area has been cleared out to allow visitors the opportunity to orient themselves. The renowned Armor Court is right where it has always been since 1916 and they don't dare touch it except to add a few pieces to spice it up a bit but the cloister garden to the east of the rotunda is gone along with the Museum cafeteria with its lovely outdoor eating area. The cafeteria has been moved to the north entrance where the special exhibitions use to be. However no mention has been made as to what will happen to the outdoor eating area.

I can explain the whole layout but here is the gist of what my friends and colleagues think...it is their understanding the goal was to make the layout flow better for the visitor, to have things in their appropriate sequence and easier to follow therefore easier to enjoy. The verdict is mixed as to whether or not they've succeeded in doing that but as I said in the beginning, I haven't been there yet so I can't make my final conclusion yet.

But I will say this, I have always enjoyed this museum, it is a spectacular collection and in my opinion the one of the very limited things that prevents Cleveland from being referred to by the rest of the nation as America's toilet (these are not my words but a friend of mine from England, and needless to say a few words exchanged but I think I changed his mind just a bit after a few pints)

Also, it's FREE people!!! FREE..........nothing is free anymore yet you can spend as long as you want, come as often as you want, sit, think, daydream, do nothing, but absorb the creative air that surrounds you. That is one of the greatest things about this place, having visited quite a few museums and I love them all, our own CMA has some of the best examples of art in the world and it costs nothing to be up close to it. In my opinion, it doesn't matter what they do to it so long as I can go and see it.

The complete renovation isn't done yet and won't be for awhile but I definitely plan to go, construction and all, the doors have reopened, it's a great day for me.