Art students inspired by Museo Benini art museum

  • Contributed photos Marble Falls High School 11th- and 12thgrade advanced art students surrounded their art teacher, Kim Thomas, and Benini (center) on the occasion of their recent visit to the Museo Benini art museum, 3440 FM 2147 East in Burnet County.
    Contributed photos Marble Falls High School 11th- and 12thgrade advanced art students surrounded their art teacher, Kim Thomas, and Benini (center) on the occasion of their recent visit to the Museo Benini art museum, 3440 FM 2147 East in Burnet County.
  • The Advanced Placement art class, accompanied by their teacher Kim Thomas of Marble Falls High School, recently visited the Museo Benini, 3440 FM 2147 East just outside Marble Falls.
    The Advanced Placement art class, accompanied by their teacher Kim Thomas of Marble Falls High School, recently visited the Museo Benini, 3440 FM 2147 East just outside Marble Falls.
  • Marble Falls High School Advanced Placement student Rebecca Lancaster took the opportunity to create a few sketches during the class's recent visit to the Museo Benini, 3440 FM 2147 East, just outside Marble Falls.
    Marble Falls High School Advanced Placement student Rebecca Lancaster took the opportunity to create a few sketches during the class's recent visit to the Museo Benini, 3440 FM 2147 East, just outside Marble Falls.
  • Kirra Davasher paused in front of Benini's Peaceable Kingdom, with 'A Tribute to Brother Hicks' on the right and a geometric painting from the 90s on her left.
    Kirra Davasher paused in front of Benini's Peaceable Kingdom, with 'A Tribute to Brother Hicks' on the right and a geometric painting from the 90s on her left.
  • Museo Benini art museum, just south of Marble Falls on FM 2147 East, has 50 outdoor sculptures installed on 35 acres.
    Museo Benini art museum, just south of Marble Falls on FM 2147 East, has 50 outdoor sculptures installed on 35 acres.
  • From left, Diana Flores and Ashley Gonzalez, art students at Marble Falls High School, studied works of an abstract nature recently at the Museo Benini art museum, 3440 FM 2147 East just outside Marble Falls.
    From left, Diana Flores and Ashley Gonzalez, art students at Marble Falls High School, studied works of an abstract nature recently at the Museo Benini art museum, 3440 FM 2147 East just outside Marble Falls.
  • Kim Thomas, Marble Falls High School art teacher, surveyed Benini's work of the 70s and 80s at the Museo Benini art museum, located at 3440 FM 2147 East in Burnet County.
    Kim Thomas, Marble Falls High School art teacher, surveyed Benini's work of the 70s and 80s at the Museo Benini art museum, located at 3440 FM 2147 East in Burnet County.

 

Marble Falls High School art students with sketch books and smiles of anticipation entered Museo Benini Feb. 19.

Instructor Kim Thomas, on double-duty as the school bus driver, set up the field trip for the class to tour the galleries and outdoor sculptures.

Italian artist Benini promised to meet with the students.

Thomas, an artist herself who focuses on the of memories, told her Advanced Placement Art class as they entered, “We can learn from master artists by studying their compositions.”

The joys of the visit are noted in the museum guest book. “I instantly fell in love,” wrote one student. “Wonderful artworks and stories, I can’t wait to come back,” noted another. One entry carried a touch of humor, “Love the stars, and awesome beard!”

At Museo Benini, one of several hundred single-artist museums in the world, paintings from the 60’s to the current years allow students to see the evolution of Benini’s career - what he started first, what work made him famous in the world of art, and hear what advise might he share.

“The interactions the students had with art and wisdom shared from Benini had an immediate inspiring impact,” Thomas said. “This morning I had one arrive saying, “I’m ready to start two new paintings”.

Another, who had been feeling an art block for weeks came in with a brand new work. It’s easy to feel stagnant in our learning and practice in the classroom. It’s so important to get out of the studio to have a direct experience with art.

“While we were in the gallery, a student said, ‘This is all so beautiful I feel like I could cry but not in a sad way.’ The power of being surrounded by great art is something I think every kid should have the opportunity to experience,” Thomas added.

Museo Benini welcomes student and university groups by appointment. Regular hours are Saturdays from 10 to 6. For information, call 830-693-2147.

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