While the worlds of art and history keep rolling along, and while I learn about interesting arts-related topics that would be great to write about, my life is in a state of upheaval as I try to juggle work, caring for a toddler, and a cross-country move. As of next week, I will no longer be a resident of Philadelphia. My husband’s new job is taking us to Seattle, so we’re bundling up the toddler and the two cats and off we go. I’m very excited about this new adventure!

Philadelphia is touted as a great city for the arts, and there are undoubtedly some great resources here for art lovers. Some of the things I have appreciated most about this city are its Mural Arts Program, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. On the other hand, the city does not have a wonderful reputation for respecting its history. Randall F. Mason, Professor of Historic Preservation at the University of Pennsylvania says it well in his comments in The Inquirer. Also, see my discussion of the destruction of the Boyd Theater. Like many modern American cities, Philly does a lot of things well, but its history has a hard time competing with the financial demands of a modern city. That said, since the arts are so important to the soul of the city, I know Philadelphians will continue to fight for underdogs like the Boyd Theater.

Suffice it to say that I’m excited to get to know the culture and workings of a new city! I’m excited to wander the streets and take in new things. And I’m excited to be so close to so much natural beauty. (Hello, Cascade Mountains!) Some things I already know about that I’m eager to check out in person: the Seattle Art Museum, the Burke Museum, the Henry Art Gallery, the Frye Art Museum, and the statue of Lenin. But of course, I’m new to the city, and these are just the obvious things you can read about online or in a guidebook. I’m excited to discover the hidden gems. Let me know your favorite art/history spots in Seattle. I can’t wait to explore!