Booth Western Art Museum

Tuesday
We took a break from hiking today, and instead visited the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, a little northwest of Atlanta. The day had started grey and cooler, but by the time we reached our destination, the sun was breaking through the clouds. As you leave the interstate and head into town, it seems an unlikely place for an art museum, especially one of Western Art, but it is regarded as one of the largest collections of Western Art in the country. The museum was founded by a family who called Cartersville home and had been Western art collectors for many years, but wished to remain anonymous. So the museum is actually named for Sam Booth, who was a good friend and advisor to the family. It was a beautifully designed building, spacious and light, with a wonderful varied collection, including quite a lot of sculpture, both inside and out. We explored the lower floor of the museum, then stopped for a break and had a bit of lunch in their cafe, before joining a docent led tour of the highlights starting at 1.30 and lasting for about 1 1/2 hours, which was very interesting. That left us on the second floor, so when she had finished, we explored the rest of the floor on our own. One of the things on this floor was a temporary exhibition, “Georgia O’Keefe, A life well lived”, photographs by Malcolm Varon. These included photographs of her, her friends and family, and even her dog Jingo, as well as photographs of her Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch houses in New Mexico and the stunning landscapes surrounding them. Also included were exhibition posters of O’Keefe’s work. Before leaving we explored the various impressive sculptures outside. Unfortunately, our return was in Atlanta rush hour, so took quite a bit longer than going! In the evening we all had a game of Scrabble, with a fairly predictable result of Jen in first place, closely followed by Jason, then me, then Roger! Then we watched an episode of Crime Scene Kitchen, a baking show with a difference, where the contestants have to guess what they’re supposed to make by clues left in the kitchen - for example utensils left in the draining rack or dishwasher, things in the fridge, items in the rubbish bin, used items on the counter etc., - definitely adding another dimension!