Art Guild members explore culture and art in Seattle

The students included Mackenzie Carlson of Trenton, Neb., Omar Ali of Chadron, Tyra O’Connor of Ekalaka, Mont., Ashley Anderson of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Tonah Alexander of Hot Springs, S.D.

The group departed from Chadron on March 26 and stayed in Seattle’s historic Queen Anne neighborhood. Known for its early 20th-century architecture and scenic hilltop views, Queen Anne also gave students access to some of the city’s top art destinations.

On March 27, students visited the Seattle Art Museum, where they toured the landmark Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei exhibit and viewed Alexander Calder’s modern sculptures. The museum’s permanent collections include work from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

Ali said the Seattle Art Museum impressed him.

“It left a lasting impact on my perception of art,” Ali said. “A few highlights of the trip for me were being able to immerse myself in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and be able to appreciate a wide array of various art media alongside my peers.”

On March 29, the group visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum and went to the top of the Space Needle. The following day, they toured the Museum of Pop Culture and Woodland Park Zoo.

Ali said he was inspired to pursue a personal goal by the Museum of Pop Culture.

“They featured exhibits in music, film, sci-fi, video games, and so much more. What made it enjoyable was the fact that the museum allowed us to try any instrument at our leisure—this reassured me of my need to learn how to play the bass guitar,” Ali said.

In addition to museums, the group explored local art walks and downtown installations, which included graffiti, sculpture, and pop-up exhibits in public spaces.

Ali said the trip broadened his horizons.

“It made me appreciate the ability to experiment with so many different forms of media and look at anything as an opportunity to share a story,” Ali said.