Personal Narrative: The Azalee Marshal Cultural Activities Center

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On Friday November 6, 2009, I attended the Azalee Marshal Cultural Activities Center in Temple, Texas. The center boasts on having five galleries, yet I am not sure as to the truth to that. As you enter the center, the main lobby showcases some select porcelain dishes that are encased in beautiful antique cabinets made of hand carved oak and glass toppings; however, it is not considered a gallery. Looking straight ahead, you will see the gift shop, which is labeled as the Carabasi Gallery on the center’s map key. This room does have some select few pieces of work and other collectables for sale, yet is not what I would refer to as a “gallery”. The small gallery up stairs, which seamed to be just another hallway, was empty and dark, nothing…show more content…
It was a 5x7 inch, black and white, journalistic photo entitled “War” taken by local artist Helen Kwiatkowski. It was matted into a white border and encased by a thin, black frame; I unfortunately have been unable to find the date of this photograph. This photo captured a priceless image of two young girls, around the age of 6, holding a hand painted protest sign at what appeared to be an anti-war rally. The girls, one blonde and the other brunette, were dressed in jeans and jackets on what appeared to be a rather cool day. The protest sign, that was almost as tall as they, read, “War is Not a Family Value.” They were standing in the street; just a foot or so off of the sidewalk were in the background adults could be seen. The two girls looked confused and lost, though I am not sure why. It is possible that they had no clue what the entire fuss was about at this rally; or maybe they did, and were heart broken over the loss of a parent or other loved one. Interpretation is at the eyes and heart of the beholder, and I felt they new what was going on. Viewing this photo, all I could think of is the astronomical loss that children and families have gone through during so many wars. In a second’s time, a life is torn apart, destroyed, and left with no real…show more content…
Helen Kwiatkowski is an associate professor at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor art department in Belton, Texas; and previously the visual art director at the CAC. Since the late 1980’s, Ms. Kwaitkowski work has been seen at venues such as The Mexican American Cultural Center and Women and Their Work in Austin, and the CAC in Temple. She also has started the Art of Peace event that supports the Children Advocacy Center of Central Texas and celebrates the International Day of Peace. As I made one more round through gallery, I pondered what peace really meant, could it actually be achieved, and at what sacrifice. I thought of acquaintances in the military, family that I have failed to spend adequate time with, and of my own arrogance. I wondered if others that would come and see these works of art and have the same thoughts as I, pondering what true peace meant. I decided at that point that it is time to stop talking and start doing; time to make a difference in the things I can and pray for those that I can not. I believe that peace will only elude you if you let

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