The Norfolk Arts Museum's been through a lot the last few years. They went from being in an old Carnegie Library building on the main strip of town, to an off-street unused retail space, to the newest incarnation -- a brand new building built over one of Norfolk's most charming parks. (Which was closed down due to the amount of skateboarders who thought banking off the concrete was a good idea, thus breaking most of the structure. But we won't go there.)
The new building is a delight. High, vaulted ceilings almost two stories high, conference rooms, natural light streaming in from all directions, an outdoor sculpture garden. It's wonderful, really.
The problem is that for all its height, there is very little actual gallery space. Which is probably good, since there isn't much art to put on the walls. Travelling exhibits make up most of the content, and a few solid pieces owned by the museum actually stay on the walls in the hallway -- where the streaming natural light can eventually degrade them.
Don't get me wrong -- I think it's a wonderful place. The computer lab that they've opened has really expanded the role of the Museum, allowing them to give classes on everything from Windows 98 to digital webpage design (just like the Sally Strothers course, unfortunately). It allows for some extra income for the facility.
For such a small town, even having an art museum, much less a free one, is a great thing. I just wish that they'd have concentrated more on function than fancy design, and on putting art INSIDE instead of making the building such a creation to behold.
Still, free is free.
From journal O Home, Home on the Plains