Return of Old Friends

"Do you like it?" "How do you like, it?" Michael Conforti's words greeted visitors on the terrace, like those of any quintessential host sampling guests' reactions.  He is the Director of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, a jewel of a museum in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Yesterday, Michael graciously greeted guests arriving in droves to preview the long-awaited new wing and transformed outdoor setting. The museum's permanent collection has not only returned from touring the world while its home was renovated and expanded, it is on display once again! 

Yesterday, Tim and I invited our dear neighbor, Tom, to join us as we enjoyed this exclusive preview.

Here are some photos of the new reflecting pool built in the rear of the building (where a parking lot used to be) along with a sampling of my favorite works of art.

New building at end of reflecting pool

Tim and Tom enjoying the view

Another view of the reflecting pool

Keeping with the summer theme, I hope you enjoy some of my favorites from among the Clark's gems.

Woman with a Fan, Pierre-Auguste Renoir

 Neapolitan Children Bathing, John Singer Sargent

Woman with a Picnic Basket, Raimundo de Madrazo y Garreta

It did my heart good to reaquaint myself with my former friends; they are surprisingly bright under the new lighting system, so much so that I asked if they'd all been cleaned. "No, it's just the new lighting," Michael replied! "Do you like it?" 

I kept my husband's customary and cheeky answer to this question to myself (I don't like it. I love it.) and simply answerd: "We loved it."

You might enjoy checking out the Clark Art Museum's website here. If you are in the region, their Gala Opening is July 4th!

Also, my dear blogger friend, Susan, posted an interview with me on her blog today; hope you'll check it out and see how to qualify for a chance to win a copy of my memoir, Water's Edge: Growing Up in the Heart of a New England Village. Read her blog post at Writing Straight from the Heart.