Last month I got a great shot in the arm of museums and hob-knobbing with my art and museum friends and colleagues. The purpose of the trip was to attend the Florida Association of Museums’ (FAM) annual meetings. So I took this opportunity to contact a variety of colleagues in the Tampa Bay Area.

I began my trip with a visit with Dr. Gabrielle Vail, a Mayan specialist in hieroglyphics. We met in the mid-90s when I was a curatorial intern at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology; I also assisted her on the NAGPRA project. Since then we remained in touch and have become good friends and colleagues, supporting one another personally and professionally and visit when our schedules allow.

The next day was mine to squeeze in as much as possible while in the Tampa Bay area. I began the morning with an appointment at the new Dali Museum. Dirk Armstrong, Assistant Curator at the Dali Museum gave me the behind the scenes tour of the nine month old museum. The building itself is an amazing creation of space and light. Dirk explained that the walls are 18 inch thick concrete and that there are over 1000 panels of glass and over 600 of which are unique in size. I am glad I do not have to wash or replace those windows!

Crossing the Bay, I headed to my afternoon appointment at the Tampa Museum of Art. The Museum is about 1 ½ years new, and is an intriguing, minimalist structure. While I had visited previously, I've never had the opportunity to see the back house yet; but today was my day.

Seth Pevnick, Ph.D., Richard E. Perry Curator of Greek and Roman Art at the Tampa Museum toured me in their back our house. In the process, I of course had the pleasure to visit previous colleagues that I worked with during my 2 1/2 year tenure at the Tampa Museum of Art as their registrar.

In contrast to the cramped quarters in which I worked, they now have the luxury of space and room to grow. Following, I sat on the terrace of the Tampa Museum overlooking the Hillsborough River and across the river to the Henry B Plant Museum and the University of Tampa. It's a familiar and beautiful setting. I enjoyed this view with my friend and colleague Robin Nigh, Manager of Art Programs for the city of Tampa.

The next day was spent at the Wyndham Hotel on Harbor Island attending the FAM meetings. Many sessions addressed the challenges museums in the rapidly changing 21st century, but one of the most important parts of these meetings are reconnecting with colleagues and catching up on the latest news.

I wrapped up my Tampa Bay area visit with a stop at the Larson and Larson home and studio.Reviewing Becky and Matt’s latest creations in alternative photographic processes always provides an opportunity to learn something new.

During the return drive I contemplated the past few days and while I am still itching to get back in THE City (NYC), this was not a bad substitute and I had the bonus of beautiful weather and waterways.