This was my first symposium and by and large I had a great time - the rotations I sat in on were wonderful.
I'm not usually much of a complainer and would rarely speak out in such a public forum. My usual response to slights or disappointments is to let it roll off my back; I figure there must be a good reason for things happening the way they do. That said, I am having a hard time reconciling my disappointment with one incident...
I had looked forward to seeing the Japanese Bowls exhibit for much of the weekend; it was pencilled onto my schedule for Sunday noon during the lunch break. The signs outside the gallery room indicated it would be open until 4:30 Sunday afternoon. Heck, even if I didn't make it during lunch, I figured I had close to an hour and 20 minutes after the last rotation to soak it in. Sharing the space was the POP exhibit.
To my great disappointment, shared by several others around me, when I arrived at the gallery room at about 11:55 the exhibit was by and large taken down and in the process of being boxed up. I was discouraged from entering and viewing the scant remaining pieces on display. Upon checking the signage to the left of the door, the original information was confirmed that the exhibit was to remain open until 4:30 Sunday. The sign to the right of the door said the very same. I understand wanting to go home at the end of a long, tiring process and weekend; but prematurely closing down 5 hours before the scheduled time was inexcusable.
I'm sorry to say, and I certainly don't say this lightly, the impatience shown by the curators was inexcusable and clouded my impression of the symposium.
I'm not usually much of a complainer and would rarely speak out in such a public forum. My usual response to slights or disappointments is to let it roll off my back; I figure there must be a good reason for things happening the way they do. That said, I am having a hard time reconciling my disappointment with one incident...
I had looked forward to seeing the Japanese Bowls exhibit for much of the weekend; it was pencilled onto my schedule for Sunday noon during the lunch break. The signs outside the gallery room indicated it would be open until 4:30 Sunday afternoon. Heck, even if I didn't make it during lunch, I figured I had close to an hour and 20 minutes after the last rotation to soak it in. Sharing the space was the POP exhibit.
To my great disappointment, shared by several others around me, when I arrived at the gallery room at about 11:55 the exhibit was by and large taken down and in the process of being boxed up. I was discouraged from entering and viewing the scant remaining pieces on display. Upon checking the signage to the left of the door, the original information was confirmed that the exhibit was to remain open until 4:30 Sunday. The sign to the right of the door said the very same. I understand wanting to go home at the end of a long, tiring process and weekend; but prematurely closing down 5 hours before the scheduled time was inexcusable.
I'm sorry to say, and I certainly don't say this lightly, the impatience shown by the curators was inexcusable and clouded my impression of the symposium.
Take care and all the best to you and yours!