Column: Bev Jackson Cotter, Art Is…

“In 52 years of marriage, we have journeyed together, occasionally alone or with groups of friends or strangers. Most items displayed have sweet memories stitched or woven into them…In many ways, our privacy, our personalities and our persuasions are exposed in this gallery showing. Thank you for understanding.” — Toby Thompson

So begins your journey through the galleries of the Albert Lea Art Center — a beautiful display of art and artifacts collected by Dr. Toby and Marge Thompson during their South American and world travels. In addition, the exhibit also shows their enjoyment of the work of talented local artists.

The Thompsons spent many years working in the mission field in Bolivia and this collection reflects their interest in the unusual, primitive, intricate, colorful and beautiful art, and useful everyday items used by the natives. Be sure to stop at the Art Center to view this exhibit. The show runs through May 26.

Recently, a Cryptoquote in a local paper stated, “Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.” — Arthur Schopenhauer. It’s interesting that this quote appeared just prior to the Thompson exhibit. I was intrigued by this idea and have since wondered about my own field of vision.

I’d like to think that my world, my thoughts and my cultural understanding extend beyond my own immediate boundaries, though it is easy to get caught up in everyday living, and sometimes it’s hard to think beyond my own life.

I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to travel, some of them the “once in a lifetime” kind, and I’m glad that I ventured out, as impractical as some of these experiences were.

I’ve wandered through incredibly beautiful castles and cathedrals, tasted foods that I loved and some that I’ll never try again. I’ve met people that I would love to visit again and others that I will never see, and that’s OK.

I’ve cried over the rows and rows of crosses in an American military cemetery in Italy and the terribly sad pictures in a German prison camp. I’ve laughed over a pint of Guiness in Ireland and a plate of steak and kidney pie in England. I’ve been awed by the 2 1/2 million, two-ton stones surrounding me as I stood in the burial chamber of Pharoah Khafre’s pyramid in Egypt. And, in the bombed out ruins of the Coventry, England, cathedral my Muslim friend and I stood in the rain and watched the story of Christ’s life, portrayed by a cast of all races.

I would hope that my “field of vision” has been expanded by these experiences, and I know that my appreciation of art has stretched way beyond anything I ever dreamed.

Because of these travels, my home also contains souvenirs. Each time I look at the picture of my Irish-American husband in the Celtic knot carved wooden frame or take a cookie from my English tea pot cookie jar, I’m reminded of my unique experiences, the people I’ve met and our similarities and differences.

The Thompsons’ collection is much broader than mine. The art center display shares their memories and their personalities. Viewing the exhibit is a trip into another time and place. It extends the limits of our vision and helps us to see another world.

We truly appreciate the generosity of Dr. Thoburn and Marjorie Thompson in sharing their collection with our visitors.

 

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where the exhibit “ One Mission. Two Lives: The Art Collection of Dr. Thoburn and Marjorie Thompson” will be on display through May 26. Hours are 10 a.m, to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Art Center is located at 224 S. Broadway Ave., Albert Lea.