This morning at 9:30 the Phoenix Art Museum was opening early for members and as we drove up there were already nearly 50 people lined up in front of the doors. We couldn’t make yesterday’s sneak peek and so this morning the museum gave members a second exclusive opportunity until noon to visit the new exhibit titled “Wondrous Worlds: Art & Islam Through Time & Place.”

The exhibit itself is inspired by the five pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage. Due to the breadth of Islam’s history and its reach around the planet this attempt at bringing a look at the influence of Islamic art in a relatively small space is difficult. I suppose I would have preferred a deeper look at the influence of Islamic art on a specific culture such as Turkey or Saudi Arabia instead of looking across an area from Indonesia to Burkina Faso and all points in between over a period of hundreds of years. (The pieces that are on display range in age from the late 18th century right up to modernity.)

I have to thank the managers and curators of the Phoenix Art Museum for their focus on the historic diversity of our cultures and for bringing these kinds of exhibits to Arizona. By the way, if you were ever thinking about becoming a member of your own local museum there are often perks such as these days with members early entry, including free pastries and coffee.