I’ve decided that we as a high school community need to break the sterotype that we are all afraid of exploring our own city.

Over and over again, I hear that “there is nothing to do here” or even better that “St. Louis is so boring”.

Truth: You all couldn’t be any more wrong!

Here’s the deal, I am going to give you ideas as to what St. Louis has to offer, and you will try to get out of West County and go try them.

Stop number one is the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM), located on Washington Blvd. near The Fox Theater. CAM is a major voice in the world of contemporary art and offers innovative, fun events to the public every month.

Right now, CAM has an incredible exhibit up including artists David Noonan, Emily Wardill, Jonas Mekas and a larger than life chess set created by Yoko Ono.

Noonan’s work, displayed in the main gallery spaces and performance space, consists of larger than life prints and collages, as well as wood cutouts, of theatrical performers. His photographs are printed on linen and portray the importance of performance in our culture.

His work is compelling, strikingly beautiful and in my opinion, captivating to anyone.

Emily Wardill and Jonas Mekas, both filmmakers, are displaying their work at CAM currently.

Mekas’ Walden, Part 6, 1969 is located in the frontroom and served to display the flow of everyday life. Wardill’s work, presented in the main gallery in the back space, is titled Sick Serena and Dregs and Wreck and Wreck.

Actors portray the stained glass of gothic cathedrals in order to present the importance of visual metaphors and their impact on modern day society.

I really do love, both visually and conceptually, the current exhibition at CAM. I believe that anyone could go into the museum right now and become interested in at least one piece, even if it’s just because “it looks good”.

CAM is free for students, hosts really interesting events almost every week and St. Louis citizens need to take advantage of this incredible museum that we have. 

Take a couple of hours to drive down and see the exhibit at CAM, and maybe grab lunch downtown while you are at it. Let yourself have a different kind of day. Get to know your city.

For all of you who aren’t going to Homecoming, or want something to do beforehand, CAM is hosting Feast Your Eyes (a CAM monthly program).

This month, Chef Chris Williams of Franco will be preparing culinary dishes for the public. The tasting begin will at 12:30 p.m., is free and is open to anyone. A tour will be held at 1 p.m. of the current exhibit.

CAM is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. and is open late on Thursday till 8 p.m. The Museum is not open on Mondays. Admission is free for students, $3 for seniors and $5 for adults.

For more information about Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis visit http://camstl.org/