Don't let Monet Get Away

Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). Rising Tide at Pourville, 1882. Oil on canvas, 26 x 32 in. (66 x 81.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Horace O. Havemeyer, 41.1260. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

If viewing water lilies at McKee has piqued your interest in Monet don’t wait until you can get lost in the Nymphéas series at the Musée de l'Orangerie after a far hike to Paris, because Monet’s more portable works, as well as the works of other French impressionists, are waiting for you close by.

We do have a growing list of beautiful fascinations in Vero Beach, with credit to the Museum for securing a tradition of excellence 40 years ago.

One drawback that can come from choosing to live in a place highly regarded by others “less address fortunate” perhaps, is the real risk of losing our “wonder awareness.” People who live at the beach, but seldom or never go, come first to mind as examples of the “wonder blind stricken.” Similarly, The Vero Beach Museum of Art -- our museum -- could become just another ocean so to speak, an object seen but hiding in full repeated view and underappreciated.

Except that is not happening here. Not our museum. Not if Executive Director Brady Roberts and Marketing Director Suzanne Seldes are in-house guiding its path.

We can take justifiable pride in VBMA doing an exemplary job and of providing a scope of experience relatable to all members of our community. Annual attendance approaches 47%, making it one of the most highly ranked museums not only of its size, but of all sizes, with a paltry sounding 17% attendance being the norm. Additionally, it was graded 13th out of the 153 art institutes in a recent Remusuem independent research project, a study dedicated to promoting innovation by measuring each institution’s potential against its available resources. We are being recognized as a place that provides above excellent value, a solid reassurance that the right people are doing a great job.

If you are not part of the museum’s impressive 47% attendance ranking, why continue to postpone an exceptional experience? The obvious splendors of Vero itself and this polite reminder can be your inspiration for taking a much shorter French trip to see French art masterworks.

They are waiting for you here at our home Museum for viewing through June 22nd.

Consider joining other members in helping support a Vero icon, the Art Museum that continues to uphold an ever-increasing standard of excellence that to this day still so beautifully reflects our community.

Join a free exhibition tour -- they are offered daily at 2:00 p.m. -- with a museum docent. Then, as you leave wonder-stricken, grab a membership form. An individual membership is $50; a family membership is $75. For more information, visit www.vbmuseum.org/membership.