By Zara Wilkemeyer
The air had been crisp and cool on the ninth of October. Neither too warm, nor too cold. It had been quite a day to be outside in the warming sun. I had gone on a field trip that day, to the Walker Art Center and the Minnesota Institute of Art in Minneapolis, with my art teacher as our guide.
We had left the school at 8 a.m. and didn’t arrive in Minneapolis until around 10:30 a.m. The bus ride I didn’t particularly enjoy, as bus seats are so uncomfortable and I prefer to move around somewhat and not share a seat, which we all had to do at one point or another. Once at the Minnesota Institute of Art, we divided into five or six groups that had roughly eight people in each and we all went to where we wanted to explore the museum first, after we decided on a meeting place and time, that is.
From China to Africa, Japan to Egypt, Korea to America, from new to old, we saw much within that museum and each exhibit more glorious than the last. So many pieces that make you wonder how people had made each piece, what they’re thoughts on the piece were, and what they inspiration could’ve been. I love art so each piece had been so fascinating to me.
Once we all met up at our meeting point, at the designated time, we all went back onto the bus to go to the Midtown Global Market to have lunch. We arrived around 12:30, if I’m remembering correctly. Within the Midtown Global Market, there are many different places to choose from. Italian, Chinese, Tai, Mexican to only name a few cuisines within the Food Trade Center. Each place had their own unique scent that would make your mouth water and made it hard to decide where you wanted to eat.
We were all done eating and back on the bus a little bit before 2 p.m. and were heading to the Walker Art Center. Art inside and out, quite literally as well. As there was art within the building and on the grounds around the building. I, myself, much preferred to be outside as the more sculpture like art was out there. From the giant cherry on a spoon over the time pond, to the giant blue rooster, to the enormous balancing mechanism, it was beautiful.
Around the grounds were also a bunch of college art students and I had the pleasure of speaking to one about her college, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). MCAD also happens to be one of the colleges I am interested in when I am done with high school. After my short talk with the college student, my friend Grace and I decided to explore some of the inside of the building. However, we were also nearing the 3 p.m. time of departure, so we didn’t explore much, but what we did we liked. We liked a lot.
Once 3 p.m. came around, we all piled back onto the bus for the long ride back to the school. It seemed shorter than it actually was, but that is like how all car trips are in my opinion – seems like a long time to get to your destination, but short when you are heading home. We arrived back in Harmony around 5:30 that day and I couldn’t have been happier with my day, as I got to see many new things and experienced so much. I am very grateful for going on that trip as I have memories that will last for some time, or so I believe.
Zara Wilkemeyer is a student at Fillmore Central High School. She is one of eight area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 21st year.