#50 Guillermo, the Museum Guard

​Menil Collection in Houston

I must have learned as a child to fear museum guards.  They always seemed so suspicious.   They tapped shoulders and glared and reprimanded when you even thought about standing too close to a piece of art. 

However my opinion of museum  guards changed last year when I had a relaxed visit to the lovely Menil Museum.

An Exhibit of Nigerian Statues
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I was impressed by the expressions and poses I saw in a collection of Nigerian statues.  I found myself making the same expressions as I studied the poses, through the glass. Who were the people, who inspired these statues? I realized a guard was watching and cringed that I could have looked like I was making fun. But he chuckled and we ended up chatting.  It turns out he was in fact from Nigeria and we ended up having a wonderful food conversation, because I had recently visited a Nigerian restaurant.

My Favorite Guard
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But my favorite guard at the Menil was working in a separate building.  There were no other visitors in the quiet space, but my friend and I could hear the somewhat shy guard talking softly. 

He was talking to his friend just outside the door...a squirrel! 

​Guillermo

Guillermo said he fed the squirrel every day.  He dropped a peanut outside the door and watched the little guy race over to fetch his treat before a greedy bird could steal it!

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Thanks, Guillermo!
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You reminded me that museum guards can be kind human beings!  I think that little squirrel thanks you, too!

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