Jules Tavernier, Dance in a Subterranean Roundhouse at Clear Lake, California

Jules Tavernier (American [born France], 1844–1889). Dance in a Subterranean Roundhouse at Clear Lake, California, 1878. Oil on canvas, 48 x 72 1/4 in. (121.9 x 183.5 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Marguerite and Frank A. Cosgrove Jr. Fund, 2016 (2016.135). On view in gallery 760.

The writer's response is just as entertaining as the artwork. It is in the form of a poem which I thought was creative. He expressed how the roundhouse was a place to unite. My perspective on the artwork changed after reading the response. At first I felt that it was a big celebration with people dancing for a special occasion. Afterwards I felt that it was much more than that; a spiritual place that always stood for unity. I was also left a little confused about the third to last line. He states "ear pressed on the dirt floor" I pictured him with his head against the dusty floor, perhaps listening to all the feet stomping as they danced to the music or it may have just been a metaphor; to emphasize how full the roundhouse would get as people gathered all around. 

A memory of mine

   If I think back to when I was 8 years old I can remember a time I went on an adventure to the playground with my sister Caroline, and my two cousins Michael and Kiara. We were all around the same age, I was the youngest. It was Summer time and the sun was shinning, it must have been around 85 degrees outside. The dress that I was wearing was green with white little flowers and the
playground we were walking to was three long blocks away which felt much longer than it actually was because of the heat.
   We had arrived to the playground, there were typical things you would find at a playground; swings, seesaws, slides, and more. There was also a steep hill behind the park with plenty of trees and dirt to get lost in. Michael being the adventurous cousin that he is, suggested that we all go to the top of the hill. We had agreed with him and followed, everything was exciting and we were all having so much fun.
   The fun and games soon ended when we realized a bunch of bees were buzzing around us. It seems one of us had kicked a fallen beehive without noticing. As soon as we saw the bees everyone started running back down the hill. Except for me, I had froze in fear and could not get myself to run down the hill. Screaming and crying, while everyone at the bottom of the hill is yelling at me to run down. As the bees continue to sting me, everyone is contemplating about who is going back to the bees to help me get down the hill. It seems that I was more afraid of running down the steep hill than I was of the bees.
   Michael, the one with the great idea of climbing up the hill was the one to come to my rescue. He took my hand and helped me get to the bottom of the hill. We all went running back to the house screaming and crying. Our aunt was home and started putting aloe on all of our bee sings. I had about six sings on the back of my shoulder. It's a very good thing that I am not allergic to bees.
 

Art has always been an interest of mine. From elementary arts and crafts to sculpting in junior high, my favorite subject has remained the same. I have always been fascinated with street art as well, I am usually the one to notice paintings and point them out to my friends. My major is Therapeutic Recreation and I plan to incorporate art throughout my career. 

Katherine