[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM'S DOCENT PROGRAM CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

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                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 1999

  Mr. LARSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a group of very 
special volunteers who have served the art community in my district for 
three decades. On May 1, 1999, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum in 
Hartford, CT, will mark the 30th year of its Docent Program. A program 
that has continued to comprise some of the most dedicated and talented 
volunteers in Hartford.
  While an artist cannot paint without brushes, the Wadsworth could not 
bring the thousands of art treasures in its collection to life without 
its docents. And while a docent is a volunteer position, the word 
``volunteer'' does not fully recognize the vast amount of knowledge 
that a person must acquire before taking part in this program.
  Before a docent can share the history behind each painting or 
sculpture with the public, he or she must first participate in a year-
long training session. Having to master approximately 65 hours of 
education on art history, the museum collection, and tour techniques 
clearly demonstrates the high level of commitment that these volunteers 
bring to this position.
  A visitor to the Wadsworth, which is the oldest public art museum in 
the United States, becomes a student of art no matter what their age. 
They rely on the docent to educate them about nineteenth-century 
American landscapes, to educate them about French and American 
Impressionist paintings, to educate them about twentieth century 
masterpieces, and to educate them about its MATRIX program of changing 
contemporary exhibitions and performances, one of the first of its kind 
in the country.
  Most importantly, for some visitors the Wadsworth is the first art 
museum they have visited, or at least the first art museum in Hartford 
they have visited. That is what makes the docents so special. They are 
more than tour guides. They are ambassadors of art. They are 
ambassadors of Hartford.
  As a resident of nearby East Hartford, I have made many trips to the 
Wadsworth as both a student and a father. It remains a place that 
educates the mind and excites our soul about the amazing world of 
paint, canvas, sculpture, marble and textiles. But just as a painting 
is not complete without the perfect frame, no visit to the Wadsworth 
would be complete without a lesson on the world of art from a docent.
  It is with great pride that I congratulate the volunteers that have 
maintained the Docent Program for 30 years at the Wadsworth Atheneum. 
Thank you for so generously providing us with your time and knowledge.

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