Beatriz Trevisan de Jesus, Contributing Writer
Did you know you can get a free ticket at the Tampa Museum of Art? That is right! All current students at Saint Leo University can get a free ticket by presenting their official student ID when they go to purchase them.
Alyssa Lusk, a sophomore studying criminal justice, was excited to hear the news. She did not know it was free at first but will be making a trip up to the museum now that she knows.
“I believe museums can benefit students because we are able to see history in the form of creative art,” said Lusk. “It moves away from the virtual and urges students to appreciate art.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), art is helpful to our health in the sense that it helps humans to deal with emotional difficulties. Stress, anxiety, and depression are examples of emotions that are better managed when in touch with art.
Saint Leo professors also commented on their opinion of the true value of both art and museums.
“A museum can change you,” claimed Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts, Trisha Toms. “Art is, at its core, a language that we all add to, and our vocabulary expands through the more we see and become inspired to join in and make it.”
Moreover, WHO also makes us aware that being in contact with art is also a proven way of disease prevention.
“The creation and enjoyment of the arts help promote holistic wellness and can be a motivating factor in recovery,” states the organization on their website.
That being stated, a visit to the Tampa Museum of Art would be incredibly helpful to students during midterm and final exams since it could allow them to decrease their stress and boost their physical and mental health.
Katie Murphy, an ambassador who works at the Tampa Museum of Art, confesses that she loves museums and how they can make a difference in people’s lives.
“Museums can benefit students in innumerous ways,” said Murphy. “Students can interact with the public, art, and history, things that are not usually seen in college campus life or academic world.”
Apart from that, visiting museums can be an effective way to spend time either alone or with your friends. The Tampa Museum of Art carries a lot of attractions that would amaze anyone that sees it. Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary Art, all in one place! It is a fun activity that anyone would enjoy, and as a Saint Leo student, you can have this experience for free!
To sum it up with a quote from Trisha Toms: “Museums not only contain the products of our very human expression, but they inspire and entice us to indulge ourselves in it.”
Museum Hours:
– Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am – 5pm
– Thursday**: 10am – 8pm
– Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 5pm
