(About a two-minute read)
Ever participated in a pun off? Robert and I ventured to this inaugural event at Philbrook Museum of Art in June. Robert, a connoisseur of puns—my mother even gifted him a daily pun calendar—was looking forward to this date.
In the museum’s South Formal Gardens, we sat on a giant, wrought-iron swing, enjoying the evening under a gentle breeze and temperate skies. Vibrant flowers painted the scene, with bushes in full bloom and towering evergreens framing the gardens. And aroma of marinated beef, chicken, and chorizo tacos wafted from the Mexican food stand, mingling with the relaxed atmosphere of the crowd.
All were invited to participate in the Pun-Off, but Robert and I preferred to watch. Three qualifying rounds ensued with themes: Garden, Art, Architecture and Design. Only the sharpest wits advanced to the championship round—a verbal joust in homage to the Philbrook Museum. In the end, a woman emerged as the winner!
Even spectators had their chance to shine by submitting one written pun. A judge read the top three out loud during the “intermission” before the Championship round. And the winner even got a prize. Although Robert and I each submitted a dandy pun, ours didn’t make it the cut. Still, we enjoyed sharpening our skills.
After the Pun-off, we explored the museum’s vast gardens and exclusive art collection. (The featured image spotlights the main garden.) I was fascinated by the antiquities gallery featuring artifacts from Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman works. One artifact was estimated to be created circa 1426-1400 BCE! How incredible that these delicate pieces were preserved for thousands of years.
And we also saw one of my favorite works, The Shepherdess by French artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau. The Shepherdess depicts the serenity and simplicity of pastoral life, highlighting the young peasant girl’s resilience, beauty, and innocence.
As a side note, William-Adolphe Bouguereau was such a prolific artist, he painted eight hundred and twenty-six paintings in his lifetime. One can see his passion for painting in his quote:
“Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness I can scarcely wait for the next morning to come. If I cannot give myself to my dear painting, I am miserable.”
This date night was a highlight in June. And we’re looking forward to more unique adventures to come!
The Philbrook Museum photo courtesy of Dustin M. Ramsey: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4204086.
The Antiquity Image Courtesy of The Philbrook Museum: https://philbrook.emuseum.com/collections/20022/antiquities.