Sylvan Theater and Columns

Although I’ve been to Sylvan Theater and Columns once during EFS, I couldn’t help but return. Just south of Drumheller Fountain, Sylvan Theater and Columns is what I’d like to call my personal getaway on campus. Although it might be somewhat of a stretch, Sylvan Theater and Columns is to UW as Central Park is to New York.

The entrance to the columns consists of tree branches that overlap to create a rather inconspicuous entrance. If it wasn’t for my first visit here, I’d be oblivious to its existence. However this is part of the appeal, that within such a large campus I have a place all my own, where I can get away from the constant onrush of people. For this reason the Columns are my Central Park. They provide an opportunity to relax before heading off to class. Although I didn’t encounter anyone during my visit to the Columns, I suspect that other students either come her to relax or have a place of their own similar to the Columns.

Four stark white columns greet visitors upon entering Sylvan Theater and Columns. Although the columns add a nice touch to the scenery, they by no means make the space. In fact I have absolutely no idea as to why the Columns are here in the first place. Maybe someone thought that they would in fact add to the ambience? Who knows? But I suspect it’s not important. The Columns by no means alone make the Sylvan Theater and Columns appealing.

What makes this space is that it’s (or at least seems) so intensely private. Trees surrounding the Columns separate the space from the two walking paths that diverge around the Columns. Instead of walking directly through the Columns (thereby disrupting my privacy), people have to walk around the Columns, without much notice as to what lies on the other side of the trees. However this by no means distracts from the ambience of the Sylvan Theater and the Columns. But rather it shows the possibility of finding privacy on a campus where privacy is hard to come by. It’s refreshing to have some time to escape from the stresses of daily life.

Visiting the Columns makes me wonder whether or not there are more places like this on campus that I have yet to discover. Well I guess there is only one way to find out, to go out and explore!