Inside the Barrick Museum: A Hidden Gem of Inspiration

(Cover image by Allison Pacris)

Take a stroll from the Student Union to Lied Library and you might miss UNLV’s hidden gem of inspiration: the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art. As a student, I always try to find ways to get out of my head in between hours of reading and studying. Even more so, as a writer, I’m always on the hunt for inspiration.

Inspiration can be fickle. Sometimes, it shows up spontaneously. Other times, it can feel like a game of hide-and-seek. The best thing about art museums is that even though you know you’re going in to look at art, you never really know what art you’ll see once you’re there. To me, this is what makes the Barrick Museum an underrated place where inspiration can run wild.  

The Barrick Museum is a short walk from Lied Library. It’s easy to miss, as it’s nestled between the Harry Reid Center and the Baepler Xeric Garden (another hidden gem of mine, especially in the springtime). However, entering the museum is an easier experience than finding it, as a relaxed receptionist welcomes you right in.

Art museums can seem intimidating if you’ve never been in one. You might think you need to take an art appreciation class or have an ‘eye’ for art, but you really don’t. Accompanying each piece of art is a written description that sucks you into its story. The descriptions include details such as the year the artwork was created, the materials used to make it, and some background information to explain what it is. As long as you come in with an open mind, you’ll have an enjoyable experience.

When walking into the museum, don’t be fooled by the white walls and the soothing silence. Art museums are more than just staring at different pieces of art under pleasant lighting; they’re an environment full of sensory experiences, which, as a student who spends a lot of time in front of a screen, is something that I can always use more of.

The two exhibitions that I explored when visiting were Contemporary Ex-votos: Devotion Beyond Medium and In Relation. Contemporary Ex-votos is composed of innovative artwork crafted by Latinx artists that portrays themes such as religion, identity, and immigration. In Relation contains art that comments on motherhood, from a broad societal perspective to a deeply personal one about the artists and their mothers.

Beyond the beautiful artwork that hangs on the walls, both exhibitions also feature many intriguing pieces that are difficult not to notice when you’re there. From the massive signs and structures, to the obscure wall projections, to the sounds of a lowly man’s voice casting an eerie echo, the museum does an exceptional job of stimulating your senses while also keeping you immersed in discovering what’s next.

Not only are the pieces intriguing, but some are also interactive, serving as a reminder that art museums provide a playful space for the artist and the audience to communicate. In Diane Bush and Steve Baskins’ You Stole My Baby, there are buttons that you can press quickly, allowing you to listen to the distressed sounds of a mother. Yvette Mayorga’s The Pink Chapel is an eye-catching room painted in pink that invites you to physically step in and become absorbed in the artist’s vision. 

My personal favorite was viewing Ariella Granados’ Level 13 After the Revival. As I was steadily making my way through the gallery, my eyes caught a glimpse of a video that replayed on a TV screen with a familiar voice. As I moved closer, I instantly recognized the character models, the objects, and the Simlish language from one of my favorite video games, The Sims 4. This was something that I didn’t expect when I walked in, but it was a fun surprise to see how well the artist integrated a popular life simulation game into a church setting to create a contemporary commentary on religion.

Each time I walk out of the museum, I leave with a renewed sense of creativity. These experiences always remind me of art’s invisible power of connecting humans through every artist’s unique storytelling and expression. This always motivates me to keep going with my own writing, as every piece of art that I consume feeds my inspiration to become a better writer.

While entry to the museum is free, these exhibitions won’t be here forever. From now until November 23, 2024, you can view the artwork of Contemporary Ex-votos, In Relation, and P0RTAL on Tuesdays-Saturdays between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The next time you need a creative spark for your ideas, an escape from the campus crowds, or a break from a stressful study session, stop by the Barrick Museum: a secret hideaway for an amusing journey of inspiration.