Checking out the New Trout Museum of Art

 The Trout Museum of Art moved to a new location on College Ave. It was closed for a few months while they moved. Danielle and I went to the closing exhibit at the old location so it was fitting we would go to the opening of the new location. 

The official opening was at 10 am and we both said that was way too earlier. We decided to head there after lunch. Thanks to Boldt Construction, admission to the museum is free for the first year. We parked at the library and walked. I hate parking downtown and really loathe parking ramps.

The museum itself is nice and bright. It is very spacious with high ceilings and multiple galleries on the first floor. I love the brightness of it.

The art was art. I'm beginning to realize how not an art gallery person I really am. I just found all the art to be completely random. Don't get me wrong it was very museum worthy art but each exhibit was just very random.

The fiber arts were definitely more my style even though I didn't quite get the point of some of it.

The Home Rules exhibit by Michelle Grabner was definitely my favorite. It was all very random but it was fun to look at. I like art that is fun to look at. 

The glass pieces were also my style and I enjoyed those. 

So maybe I am not just a painting kind of person. 

I did like it was a bit more interactive and made you think of the art by giving you questions to answer.

If you are in Appleton, definitely take some time this winter to go check out the new Trout Museum of Art. It has more space than the old museum and can have larger exhibits. It is worth the parking hassle and admission is free.

Closing Exhibit at The Trout

 The Trout Museum of Art is moving from it's current location at the Houdini Plaza down the road near Lawrence University. Since they plan to open in the new location in October, they had to close the current location in order to pack everything up and move it down the road. They had a closing exhibit, free to the public. 

Since it was free, I wanted to go and I convinced Danielle to come with me. 

The final exhibit was called A Creative Place. It is, according the Trout Website "With a range of mediums, styles, and themes, this exhibition explores how local artists have responded to distinct cultural and environmental influences."

The exhibit was mainly paintings. A lot of them were boring -- small town America paintings. They are just not my type of art.

My favorite was the one that reminded me of Red from Shawshank Redemption. 

The random black circle was odd. I could do that.

The random cows were also a favorite even if the background was unusual.

I did like the statues even if they were completely random.

I kind of felt of place. It was full of artsy people most of them dressed up. We definitely were not dressed up. We browsed the exhibit navigating around people just chatting. I guess I am not cut out to rub elbows with art people. I will stick to baseball games.

I can't wait for the new museum to open. Stay tuned for another post later this year about the new Trout. 

Checking out the B(Art) Exhibit

 I happened to see that the Trout Museum of Art was offering free days the first Thursday of the month December through March. I love free days at a museum. Looking through their list of exhibits, I saw that B(Art) was coming at the end of January and decided I wanted to go. I figured February Free day would be perfect. 

Danielle and I decided to check out B(Art) together. B(Art) is an exhibit on the amination of The Simpsons. Since we went on the Free Day we didn't have to pay the normal $10 admission fee. The Trout Museum is open every day but Mondays and the hours vary depending on the day. 

I'll be honest I'm not a huge Simpsons Fan. I remember when the show first came out back in 1989 but we really never watched it. Lil' Bro got a Bart Simpson T-Shirt for his birthday and might even had a book. We just weren't into the humor of The Simpsons. I am a fan of amination and loved seeing the Dr. Seuss and Roger Rabbit exhibits they previously had at the Trout. 

B(Art) covered the walls of both the first and second floor of the museum. It picture after picture of handmade animation cels. Each section feature a different character.

There were a classic quotes scattered among the cels. 

Upstairs was also a mock set of the Simpsons' living room where you could sit on the couch.

Of course you can't forget the giant classic sayings.

After checking out the pictures, I took a moment to indulge in some of the hands-on experience. I traced a picture of Homer Simpson eating a donut.

I also wrote on the wall like Bart would have had to do.

I didn't have time to make my own animation. 

I'm glad we went on a Free Day. The exhibit is definitely worth the $10, I just won't pay $10 to see it as I don't love The Simpsons that much. I was little disappointed there was not much dedicated to Marge or Maggie. 

Definitely go check out B(Art) at the Trout Museum of Art. It can take as short as 30 minutes to visit and you can always grab a treat at one of the coffee shops near by.