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Culture in Cartersville/#Free48

Well, it’s been a couple of weekends since we had a real adventure, so I bribed the Navigator with a bacon and eggs breakfast to go with me to Cartersville to the Booth Western Art Museum located in Cartersville, Georgia.  Someone who works there recently told me about it and kindly gave me a complimentary pass. If you go to the link, there is a nice virtual video that is a perfect short version walk through of most of the interior.

From the official website:

Open since 2003 and located just north of Atlanta along I-75, the Booth is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast and an Affiliate to the Smithsonian Institution. At 120,000 square feet, the Booth is an architectural wonder – designed to resemble a modern pueblo and constructed from Bulgarian limestone. The Booth’s permanent collection of Western art, Presidential portraits and letters, and Civil War art allows visitors to “See America’s Story” – the land, people, struggles, dreams, and legends – in paintings, sculpture, photography and artifacts. Sagebrush Ranch is an award-winning, hands-on experience and interactive children’s gallery.

Booth Museum was started by a family who call Cartersville home and have been Western art collectors for many years. It was their wish to share their art with the community, particularly young people who might not otherwise be exposed to art. The Museum was named for Sam Booth, a good friend and mentor to the founders of the Museum. Booth Western Art Museum is operated under the umbrella of Georgia Museums, Inc., which also includes Tellus Science Museum, Bartow History Museum and, coming soon, Savoy Automobile Museum.

While the affiliate museums are in close proximity to the Booth, we spent so much time enjoying the exhibits there, visiting another would not have been possible in one day for us.  There simply is so much within the museum walls to appreciate, from traditional Western lore, historical rendition and education, to contemporary interpretation and photography of nature, blues and country legends and fans. There is a wonderful collection of Indigenous Sculptures, most based on famous paintings by George Caitlin.

 

 

The very first thing we saw was this, Dan Antion.

All made of stainless steel
It really was an impressive sculpture based on the painting
Well, we saw this live version when we stopped in Acworth for food

The paintings were truly amazing in all forms of expression, from those that looked like photographs to the modern art interpretations.  There are too many to share individually here but below I will post a slide show of my favorites, most of which are sculptures.  This giant sculpture was perhaps my favorite in the museum.  From the front it is moving and impressive….

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I truly was mesmerized

 

But when I stepped behind the sculpture and saw the back of the figure, I was overcome with emotion.

Later, when we stepped outside to view the panorama of sculptures in the rear of the museum, I looked up and was struck by the stark symbiotic nature of the image I saw.

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I will also feature separately my second favorite sculpture, The Eagle Catcher.  The detail is amazing and the effect of living action is perfect.

 

The Eagle Catcher
Look at the detail and character accuracy

 

I have very mixed emotions when viewing the history of the Civil War.  I value the dedication of the human beings who fight for what they believe in while also feeling it is the greatest shame of our country to have fought amongst ourselves so much as to go to war, often killing their own neighbors’ children and one another.  That we valued controlling lives more than preserving life is our greatest shame. I fear the same sentiment rising within the people again and it breaks my heart.  History can’t be erased but it should be learned from.

I did find these paintings to be amusing, being from Louisiana.  Leave it to those guys to add flair to the fight.

 

 

The Civil War dedicated room

 

I loved this museum and recommend to add it to your list if you have the time.  Your children should experience it as well. There is an interactive ranch room on the ground floor designed just for the little ones.  No adult is allowed in it without having a child in accompaniment as well. I hope you enjoy the slide show and the music.  Clicking on any photo will produce the full size render and holding over any photo will show any captions I added.  Hope you are all enjoying your #Free48! See something new, have a happy thought, be free.

 

 

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Then we headed to Acworth for some seafood at Henry’s Lousisiana Grill. More on that excursion later.

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dweezer19

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20 responses to “Culture in Cartersville/#Free48”

  1. Now I see why you pointed this out, somehow, I missed it! I checked, and I didn’t get an email for this, either for the post or the pingback. WordPress has been messing with my email notifications all summer, but I’ve never missed one of yours (until now). I didn’t get the last one either (Space Cowboy) but I visited that day anyway.

    I’m going to unfollow and follow again, because that seems to be how I have to reset the email connection.

    This is a great post. I would have stared at that bridge for a long time. Still, that statue is even better. Thanks for the story behind the art. I also agree with your sentiment on history and the Civil War. We should let it stand as a reminder to the worst kind of thinking – lest we forget.

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  2. Excellent post. No wonder that first statue had you mesmerized. The expression on his face tells a powerful story without words. Then to go around back and see the hands of this powerful person tied. Combined with the music, my mind easily goes to another time and place we must remember and honor. Thank you for sharing this.

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  4. Your photos are spectacular and as a lover of sculpture, you made me want to go there myself. Beautiful and dynamic, and in the case of the Native American, heartbreaking. I enjoyed your commentary as well and your reflection on the Civil War. Great post.

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    • Thank you and I’m happy you enjoyd the abbreviated tour. I hope you get to see it someday. It was a very well put together set of displays and sculpture. I wish I had taken more photos of the absteact pieces. I appreciate your comment.

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  5. That was a difficult time in your country‘s history and I think it is still felt today. It’s important that everyone know the history so it is never repeated. It looks like a great museum. Incredible statues!

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  6. The statue of the American Indian gave me goosebumps. It’s so emotionally charged. Your photos give an interesting and inviting peek into the gallery and would definitely be a place I would visit (the American Indian museum at the Smithsonian in D.C. is on my list for the next visit).

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    • I would love to visit the Smithsonian again someday. I imagine it has changed since 1987. Thanks Mary. I really enjoyed this museum. I have so many more photos that I will share in another post.

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  7. Don’t let my question make you think I did not completely enjoy your post. However I just need to ask … how many Pueblos are there in Bulgaria ? Or why the Bulgarian limestone ? Would you like some chicken wings and contemplitive bourbon whilst you pause to answer ? Just don’t let it cut too much into the reaims
    Of the 48 !

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Speak to me. I’m interested. 😊

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