On Nov 26, 2017 at exactly 4:57pm we were still able to convince the security guard at the museum door to let us in to see Clayton's art piece before it's taken down and gone forever at 5:00pm.
But before we continue to what happened next, we will back track all the way to Nov 18,2017. We we received an invitation in the mail to go to Clayton's Art displayed at the museum, which was only three days before the event. Well that's a problem because Clayton also had a violin recital on the same day as the event. So Abbey contacted the teacher about it's significance and what scale of recognition this reception was. The teacher then in turn contacted the director of the program which then contacted another person in charge of running this program. The next day Abbey received an answer that it was just a recognition program and no awards will given out that day. So Abbey decided that it was not worth the 45 minute drive, find parking, and miss out on Clayton solo recital. So we skipped it.
Abbey knew Clayton's Artwork is only one of six students' artwork selected from each county and will only be displayed until Nov 26, 2017. So she would like to see his work displayed at the Walter Art's Museum at Baltimore MD on the way home from our NY. So that's why we planned to leave NY at noon on that day. We were still at church at the Chinese 8th Ave Branch in Brooklyn. We leave around noon to give us ample time for the drive from New York to Baltimore. According to our gps and maps, it'll take only three hours to get there but we know that it's the Sunday after Thanksgiving traffic which we anticipate will be bad. The drive was actually smooth and fast and we thought we would have plenty of time to make it there, until we reach the Maryland state line. Traffic went from from six lanes and merged into four. For the next 60 miles it was stop and go traffic at no more than 30mph, instead of 70mph but there were no accidents. It was really bad. It took us nearly two hours to travel that 60 miles.
At this point the hope of making it into the museum was diminishing but Abbey still had hope. By the time Da exited the highway it was 4:35. He had less than 25 minute to travel about 18 miles in the local streets full of traffic lights before the museum closes. Let's just put it this way, the kids were wide awake, clenching onto their seat belts afraid for their lives as Brennan said with fear "Dad, I've never seen you drive this fast before!"
With ,let's just say, "not-so-smooth driving" through the streets of downtown Baltimore in 22 minutes, Da slammed the brakes right in front of the museum three minutes before it closes. Clayton and Abbey flew out of our van in hopes to get in the museum. Cayleigh hop out of the van and followed pursuit. They cautiously pulled the entrance doors at the museum to see if it's locked; it was not! There they met the security guard looking at them strangely entering the building three minutes before it closes. Abbey explained that they are looking for Clayton's art piece that was displayed. The guard continued to stare at them and hesitantly stated, "You've got one minute."
Off they went and and within five seconds, right at the top of the stairs was a display staring at them with the words "Montgomery County" and the first piece under those words was Clayton's piece! They were ecstatic to find it so quick and so prominently displayed!
We were blessed!
2017-11-26 Three minutes of hope
*** 2012-12-01 - Read the bottom for an update ***
******** Update as of 2017-12-01 ********
Today Clayton comes home to tell us that during school many of this classmates went up to him to congratulate him from the morning announcements. Apparently he was mentioned twice for the two art awards he received: one from Maryland Art Education Associates (MAEA) which is shown at Walter's Art Museum at Baltimore (the one we went to see this past Saturday) and another one is Martin Luther King's interpretation of "Fulfilling the Dream"!
Cayleigh brought home Clayton's MAEA certificate of excellence from Clayton's 5th Grade Art Teacher Ms. Romeo. Great job kiddo! We're proud of you!
