Smart Art on a Budget

I consider myself to be an old school Hyde Park lover. As a child I jumped and mastered (let us not forget mastered) double dutch with my friends until the street lights came up. Before the Obama’s made the community even more of a destination spot for folks breezing through the windy city, my sneakers traversed the terrain and took in every cultural delight Hyde Park had to offer. Rich with cafes, a beautiful lakefront, boutiques and even the Museum of Science and Industry, I thought I’d experienced every enriching inch of the neighborhood. That is, until I happened upon The David and Alfred Smart Museum on The University of Chicago campus and fell in love all over again.

Tucked into an enclave of residential commons and an athletic field house on the north campus, The Smart Museum at 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue is an unassuming, artistic example of what the University of Chicago offers to the part of the city where they own the vast majority of commercial land. First opened in 1974 as a resource for the university’s art history department, the museum has been open and FREE (my favorite price point) to the public since the early 80s. Even before perusing the art collection, the location is inviting with the natural, open space of the Elden Sculpture garden as the functional courtyard. Once inside, light from the full wall of windows facing the courtyard gives the pristine reception area an almost ethereal, light essence. It makes perfect sense that this space was named as one of the ten best museums for a wedding. No worries for anyone without nuptials on the horizon; the space is available for a variety of events, with a private tour and catering services as a part of the rental package.

Though the museum is a modest size, it has the same amenities of other museums: a gift shop that carries books and unique jewelry, as well as a café serving food from some of area’s most popular restaurants. Special care was given to include vegetarian selections beyond simple side dishes, so vegetarians can forego the forced French fry lunch. The café seating is perfect for a quiet afternoon alone sipping espresso or for academic discussions with a group. Speaking as both a foodie and an artistic geek, that sounds like my kind of care free afternoon.

The art work within the gallery is based on four central themes: Asian art, European art, Modern art and Design. The intimate setup of the galleries allows visitors to thoroughly peruse the rotating collection without the hustle and bustle typically seen in larger museums. In fact, I became so comfortable viewing the exhibits that I had the audacity to take out a pen when my pencil tip broke. Gasp! One of several Men In Black type attendants quickly swooped down upon me, gently scolding while handing me a new pencil. Although I got checked with that “respect my house” move, I was reminded that the beautiful pieces must be protected just as with any other museum. Particular standouts from the exhibits include the delicate Asian scrolls and pottery from various dynasties and the solid, groundbreaking work of design pioneer Frank Lloyd Wright. The museum currently holds the furniture designed by Wright for the nearby Robie House.

The Smart Museum extends its cultural contribution beyond visual art by hosting free afternoon performances as a part of the annual Passport to Jazz series. Passport to Jazz allows visitors to take part in a number of jazz related events, workshops and performances while redeeming prizes and merchandise leading up to the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, being held this year on September 25th, 2010. While it is too late to take in the sculpture garden performances for this year, The Smart Museum takes part in these events annually, holding fast to the museum’s commitment to cultural enrichment for the entire community. The Smart Museum is currently open Tuesday through Friday, 10am-4pm and Saturday, 11am-5pm. Grab a friend or the family and uncover the hidden gems of this artistic treasure today. Make a day of it! Your stimulated and enlightened senses will thank me later.

-Heat Seeker