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​A prominent part of this room is a painting by California artist Mark Beck. It’s an example of how art can make a strikingly bold statement.  The painting is based ​on a landscape by the Hudson River School painter Asher Durand called “Kindred Spirits.”  It is about crises in America, from climate to ethnic and racial disparities. In my view, it also offers hope that comes out of continued and heightened awareness.

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​​When standing in the second room, you can look into Room 3 where you are presented with the painting on the left. This work is by another California artist, Susan Stone. Although it reminds me of work that came out of the New York School (abstract expressionism), it also presents an imaginary scape of – in Stone’s words – "unfettered sky, land, and water." You might even say it is a depiction of time - sunrise to sunset. It’s a painting that reminds us to be joyful and aware of color and the beauty around us.