October 16, 2019 830 PM
While visitors took advantage of Chinati weekend to explore the open grounds of the Foundation’s compound of art, behind the scenes 82 volunteers had arrived from across Texas and beyond to make the open weekend possible.
Volunteers are fed by Food Shark, pitch tents in the USO and shower at Cordero trailer park. The volunteer group is mostly made up of college students looking for an art weekend getaway – “a needed break from the mid-semester drudgery,” as University of Texas student Claudia Durand explained it.
“It’s refreshing to be immersed in a professional setting,” Durand said. She appreciated the opportunity to be among educated people actually working in the arts “for money and joy.”
Michael Roch, Director of Education and Curricula at Chinati Foundation said, “The volunteers bring energy, enthusiasm and general delight to the campus and the town.”
Angela Garcia from Trinity University did her volunteer shift at Ilya Kabakov’s work, School No. 6, and then enjoyed the ample free time in town, visiting galleries, shops and even getting a studio visit with Marfa artist Valerie Arber. Arber gave the volunteer some insights into Marfa. The pair discussed tourism, real estate, adobe and a proposed music festival. “It’s good to see Marfa besides the surface level stuff like the lights,” Garcia said.
After the weekend, Roch said, “Being able to spend time with an artwork is something many of us do not have the time, or make the time, to do. Having the time to think, whether it is about the concert, the landscape, or the artwork, is a luxury.”
Art majors Mariano Leiva and Adam Peche from San Antonio College agreed. The two were in Flavin #3 and #6 for their shifts. As they dined at Food Shark and sketched, they spoke about the inspiration they’d drawn from their time inside Flavin’s works. “We experiment with different materials and techniques. Being there a long time shifts your perspective,” Leiva said.
The two “most definitely,” “totally” plan to return to Marfa again soon.
“Every year I am blown away by the volunteers’ generosity in helping us to share the collection,” Roch said. “This year was no different. They were a lovely group to have.”
