On Tuesday afternoon, I texted Adrienne an article from the Washington Post about the White House announcing “more aggressive review of Smithsonian museums.” Here is our text exchange:
Adrienne’s suggestion of supporting museums outside of the Smithsonian was no doubt inspired by our plans to tour New England art museums, etc. this Fall to mark our 20th anniversary. We then remembered our infamous “Save the Art Tour” in December 2004 . . .
Two months earlier in September, I had purchased two large paintings by Marc Ouellette in Santa Fe, New Mexico and had shipped them directly to Orlando, Florida where I had an office in the branding department of a company that was my largest client at the time.
A month later, I learned that the branding department would be shut down and I would have to give up my office which meant shipping the paintings BACK to my home in a Washington, D.C. suburb. To save shipping costs and more importantly, possible damage from packing and boxing them, etc., Adrienne suggested that we DRIVE to Orlando, Florida and pick them up; furthermore, that we drive without stopping until we got to Orlando. We could take turns driving.
We decided to leave Sunday morning, December 26. That morning I woke up to the news that a life-threatening snow and ice storm was going to hit the I-95 corridor — our precise route to Orlando. Cautious women would have delayed the trip, but we were determined women, women determined to SAVE THE ART! Such a worthy cause would somehow protect us from the storm! We were on our way by 8:45 a.m.
In Sumter, Virginia, the storm hit and I-95 was a solid sheet of ice. Cars and truck trailers were sliding off the road everywhere, and many were in stuck in ditches. But did we stop? NO! We were SAVING THE ART! However, my dashboard Jesus was lurching this way and that — clearly divine intervention — so we slowed down. WAY down. It took us FOUR hours to travel 60 miles, meaning we were traveling 15 m.p.h.
Needless to say, we did not make it to Orlando. We spent the night in Savannah and then drove to Orlando where we picked up my art and then had a lovely lunch with my parents. My mother — who was painting with water color at this time — asked to see the paintings. “Uh, you want to see the paintings?” I stammered. Adrienne looked stricken. My mother followed us to my Subaru Forester and I opened the back. My mother looked at the paintings and froze, silent. Seconds later, she perked up and said, “Oh my!” Was there ever a more succinct assessment of art?
Still determined women, Adrienne and I decided to drive back to Washington, D.C. WITHOUT stopping. We would again take turns driving. We left Orlando at 1:15 p.m., and I drove for about 150 miles hours before switching with Adrienne. I then fell asleep and never really woke up. Adrienne drove the rest of the way home — about 725 miles. We arrived at my house at 1:30 a.m. on December 28. We had SAVED THE ART, but Adrienne had clearly gone farther to save it.
In homage to this 2004 trip, we are calling our upcoming, Fall New England trip, “SAVE THE ART TOUR II” — because we are going the extra mile to see art in places such as Storm King in New York and MassMOCA in Massachusetts. If possible, we plan to visit beloveds along the way.
Not to worry, we won’t be traveling alone. Given the state of the arts in this country, we’re going to need more divine intervention!
Despite the horror of a maniac determined to re-write history by editing museums 🙄, you never fail in offering me something interesting, funny or thought-provoking to read. You help take the edge off, my friend. Please be careful on Save The Art II. ❤️
I love waking up to a comment from you, Neola. There you are on the West Coast and me here on the East Coast, but we’re connected. We’re together. We’re pondering how in theeeee hell we will survive this maddening and dangerous autocracy. Thank you. You and me, connected. Together. A work of art, no?❤️🙏
Sharon left out some details.
While I had forgotten about the terrible storm, I do remember stopping in Savannah. Sleeping overnight in “Savannah,” while accurate, is exaggerated. We literally pulled off the highway and stayed at a Fairfield Inn that Sharon had researched while I was driving. Far from the height of luxury, but Sharon was a preferred member of Marriott. Gotta earn those points! Fortunately, there was room at the Inn.
Dinner was also an experience. Behind the Inn was a “restaurant” that was a step above a cafeteria setting. We didn’t care after our long, harrowing drive. When we explained to the server what we had been through we asked, “Do you serve alcohol?” (I know no one is surprised by that question.) “Why yes, we serve wine and beer!” “Do you have red wine?” “Yes!” “OK, we’ll have two glasses of red wine.” And after about 5 minutes the server walks over with two small bottles of wine with screw tops and two glasses. We looked at each other and without saying a word, we both unscrewed our individual bottles and emptied them into the glass. Sleep was not far behind.
Adrienne — I told you that you were a great storyteller! The way you laid out these additional details reads just like a good story. I had forgotten about the screw-top small bottles of red wine. If I remember correctly, their bouquet was, to borrow an Ellen DeGeneres phrase, “nasty and should be taken around the corner and given a good spanking.”
Also, concerned about bed bugs, we made sure that none of our clothes touched the carpeted floor at the Fairfield Inn, which was, indeed, merely fair and needed to be taken around the corner and given a good spanking.🙄
Another detail Sharon left out was her father’s reaction to the art. Sharon pulls the paintings out of the car and without a word, he glances at them and continues walking. He couldn’t even stop to look. He was too embarrassed.
Yes, Adrienne, I had forgotten my father’s response to the paintings. He really did appreciate the finer things in life which is why he made cheap champagne last longer by adding Sprite.🙄
I love these conversations between you & Sharon! They add a great deal to the story. Your sense of humor is limitless, it seems. Thank God!! Thanks to you & Sharon for keeping me laughing & cheering you on.
Thank you, dear Laura. Not sure where I would be without Adrienne’s sense of humor!💕
I agree with Neola. Thank you for giving us these moments and stories. You are one-of-a-kind, Sharon. Endless bless yous.
Kelly — my one-of-a-kind beloveds.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
That’s a great & harrowing memory! I wouldn’t normally use “great”& “harrowing” in the same sentence, but I believe they are appropriate in this case. Kudos to both of you for saving the art, & living to tell about it! I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip. (I also hope it’s a lot more relaxing, & not at all harrowing!)
Laura — I will no doubt be posting about “Save the Art Tour II,” so stay tuned!💕
Thank you for your stories, but even more for your and Adrienne’s dedication and support of the arts in all forms! Wishing you a fabulous trip to Save the Art this fall!
Beth — you’ve taught me a lot about fighting for what you love and against what you don’t love. Thank you!🙏 ❤️
Sorry for the delay in comments: Bravo for the two of you. Your first and second tours. Even 20 years ago I am not sure I could have made it. Good for the two of you and good stories too.