MEHS Scholars visit the Museum of Contemporary Art

On a sunny August afternoon, eight Maine East Scholars visited the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Chicago, exploring several exhibitions that pushed scholars out of their comfort zones and challenged their conceptions of what art truly is.

As scholars viewed a collection of pieces by Mark Bradford, they discussed the artist’s use of shapes and collage techniques, as well as Bradford’s incorporation of social commentary into his pieces. After perusing the exhibitions, scholars ordered burgers from the Museum Grill and ate them on the grassy terrace as a live band performed experimental jazz music. Scholars found that through reflection, intellectual curiosity, and open-mindedness, art that at first seems puzzlingly abstract can become moving, enjoyable, and relatable.