What's Your Favorite Museum Work Poem or Quote? (Plus a HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!)

Do you have a poem or quote that you keep coming back to that inspires or resonates with your museum work?

I do.  It's a poem called "The Real Work" by Wendell Berry.

The Real Work

It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work,

and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey.

The mind that is not baffled is not employed.

The impeded stream is the one that sings.

It seems that so much of our museum work often brings us to places and ideas that we don't quite understand yet.  And I guess that's part of the reason that "The Real Work" resonates with me, and why I keep Berry's poem on my phone so I can share it with my creative partners.

And now the HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

In the spirit of quotes and poems, I'm going to give away three of Harry White's "Exhibit Aphorism" card decks to some lucky ExhibiTricks readers!  

For your chance at one of those three decks, just email me your favorite quote or poem that drives and inspires your museum work before December 11, 2023.  And tell me a little about what the words mean to you and your work.  I'll choose three winners from all the responses submitted.

Depending on the number of responses, I'll put together a future ExhibiTricks post sharing some of the inspirational poems and quotes.

GOOD LUCK!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

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Sharing Stories (and Sticks!)

I'm still reeling a bit from the loss of Brad Larson, whose tragic death is a tremendous loss to the museum community and beyond.

But if you'll indulge me a bit, I'd like to refer you to this YouTube video from a few years ago when I had a conversation with Brad featuring great suggestions about how to gather stories from visitors -- both inside and outside your museum. (Plus the video comes with a bonus "Work From Home" (WFH) tip on how to break up your routine -- using a stick!)

Please take a few moments to check out the video and spare a kind thought for Brad and the family and friends he leaves behind.

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"

Remembering Brad Larson

My friend (and long-time Museum Conference roommate) Brad Larson just died in the past day or two.

Of course, it's sad when anyone dies, but I'd like to remember the joy and spirit that Brad shared with others, rather than the unfortunate circumstances of his passing.

I will always remember Brad with a big stick or staff because he loved the practice of Shintaido. As well as being a practical martial art, Shintaido aims to be a form of artistic expression, a healthy exercise, and a path of self-discovery and transformation.  I remember being with Brad at many conferences where he would get up early in the morning to run or move in a local park with his Shintaido staff (or even a big stick he found!)

Brad also loved to dance! Because he was so tall, it was not unusual to see Brad's head bobbing above the crowd near the front of the stage at many a conference dance party.

Brad especially enjoyed writing haikus. So I'll end this remembrance by sharing one of the last haikus he wrote on his Facebook page:

Trail Run Haiku 10/26/23

Time to catch my breath

breathe in breathe out, stand and watch

golden leaves falling 

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to get updates via email or your favorite news reader. Just click the "Sign up for Free ExhibiTricks Blog Updates" link on the upper right side of the blog.

Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

If you enjoy the blog, you can help keep it free to read and free from ads by supporting ExhibiTricks through our PayPal "Tip Jar"