An estimated 14,000 people ventured to the museum that corresponded with music, crafts and the annual Roanoke Arts Festival.  The population at the event was quite diverse. There were high school students dressed in taffeta gowns and penguin suits. Joining them were food service workers who came promptly after their shifts, still dressed in aprons and name tags.  The architecture of the building was stunning; myriads of triangles and trapezoids framed the trenchant museum.  At night, visitors can witness the building transform into glowing pastel colors that ostensibly force a patron to take a photograph or two. Inside, the Taubman had a multitude of local and international art, sculptures and even sensory exhibits designed by Virginia Tech’s engineer

             The museum opened into an exhibit entitled “Rethinking Landscape Photos: Allen G. Thomas Jr.”, notably featuring a chromogenic image by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison.  Mourning Cloak depicted a young, pale, hairless man sitting on a bed surrounded and interacting with vibrant butterflies. The crimsons, oranges, violets and diverse textures of the butterflies contrasted greatly against the granite wall and bed sheet. The endearing interaction coupled with the frame of natural light gave the piece a pious or spiritual expression.

            The “Pins and Needles” exhibit showcased regional tattoo artists’ sketches and colored designs.  Monica Moses and Blacksburg’s own Shawn Carrol and Graham Fisher all displayed their distinctive work.  There were intricate centaurs, geishas, samurais, and of course tigers and roses.  Hot Ass Baby:  Tattooed Baby Doll, designed by Sherri Lynn Wood, included a doll dressed in embroidered tattoo drawings of skeletons and flowers across her torso. 

            There were a couple of pieces scattered near entrances and exits not affiliated with any attraction title--consider the sculpture Dancer by Betty Branch which was displayed at an exit of the museum. This piece was made with pink Portuguese marble depicting a woman concavely arching her back.  The details and shaping of the gown were feminine and dramatic; the tails of the dress appeared tangibly soft and wispy. Joyce J. Scott’s Yeller Girl was another sculpture made of Peyote stitched glass beads, wood and other materials in the elaborate exhibit. Thousands of eggplant, black, cyan and burgundy multicolored beads created the African male.

            Some collections were outliers in the Taubman. The “Judith Leiber Handbag” exhibit was disjointed among the museum’s collection; indeed it was somewhat interesting to see various kinds of jewels and crystals constructed into a monkey or strawberry shaped purse and make-up compacts, but it merely felt like a visit to a posh boutique or Neiman Marcus store (purse price ranged from $300-6,000). Also, there was a random older man lying against the wall in the “Selections from the Hakohl Family Collection” room. Upon observation I immediately notified the security guard about the poor soul that appeared to me sleeping or dying in the corner.  The security guard wistfully replied, “It’s a dummy”.  He was unsure about the meaning of the dummy; he was also justifiably disgruntled.  I cannot imagine how many times he had to reveal to strangers the “carcass” in the corner was actually a dummy. 

            A trip to the Taubman is definitely recommended; it was refreshing to see the diverse pieces of local art and entertainment Roanoke has to offer its residents and visitors.  The museum is also serving as a venue for related culture events (i.e. ballet and Cirque du Soleil) and has monthly “family friendly” activities so be sure to check out the website and explore. The museum serves as a pivotal step in fostering visual arts and creative aesthetics in Southwest Virginia.