Where’s Wendy? The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art!!

Photo captured at The Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free — Michelangelo

Taking two art classes this semester has me intrigued, and excited, as well as exhausted, and overwhelmed at times. Learning about the Masters is a great way to learn lighting, composition, and perspective. I find myself looking at pieces by Higher Renaissance Greats and dreaming that I could have lived to see those days. From paintings, to sculpture, to architecture, it seems that everything was beautiful during that era. Now I know that life was probably much harder, and the rules were different back then, but it seems that everything was surrounded with beautiful art.

One of the requirements for my “Understanding Art” class was to visit a museum and do an essay on my most favorite work, and my least favorite work, that included pictures and a picture of myself showing that I was actually at the museum. In this essay I was to use Feldman’s Method of Critical Analysis on both my favorite and least favorite. I pulled it off with a grade of 92%, and a comment that wasn’t well accepted by my professor.

The Leepa-Rattner Museum has some interesting pieces of Artwork, including a reproduction of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, which is accompanied by an audio presentation. Although I love the work of the old masters and find them very inspiring, I find that the more modern art doesn’t really move me. Some of the sculptures just don’t make sense and some of the paintings are just not as esthetically pleasing as the works by the greats such as Michelangelo, or Donatello. The museum itself opened in January of 2002, and is located on the Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College. It houses a 6,000-piece collection of works by Abraham Rattner, Allen Leepa, and Esther Gentle (Rattner's second wife). Some of the work was well done, such as the sketches, and one particular portrait that Rattner did of his wife. Most of the paintings seemed to be inspired by Picasso, and if you have seen any work done by this artist you certainly have to be a fan to appreciate it. By taking these art classes I have at least learned a little about this artist and what motivated and inspired him to create the pieces that he has.

The Leepa-Rattner Museum is laid out well and is very pleasing to meander through. It has a nice area for young students as well as work displayed by digital artists (my favorite section). The museum also offers mini workshops for adults, and story hour for children. What a great way to gain some knowledge about art right here in our community. Even if you are not a fan of modern art the Leepa-Rattner Museum is a great place to learn about the artists, the collections, and fine art. If you would like to visit the Leepa-Rattner Museum you can check out their website for information on hours and fees.

Love, Laughs, and Photographs,
Wendy

All images captured with the Olympus E500 on Lexar digital media with the permission of The Leepa-Rattner Museum.