Every season, museums present a new set of exhibitions to inspire, challenge and educate the public. Now that St. Louis museums have had a few weeks to celebrate their openings, their exhibitions and their artists, I want to take a moment to appreciate the diversity in Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis’ four spring shows.

Deana Lawson’s photographs in the newly-opened exhibition, “Deana Lawson,” at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis resonate with grace and power and beauty.

The opening of “Kelley Walker: Direct Drive” at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis on Sept. 16 and the associated artist talk the following evening have prompted a complex and troubling controversy over the racially and sexually charged exhibition and the responses of the artist and the museum since.

Last Friday, the seniors majoring in studio art at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts were granted a surprise afternoon field trip to the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) and received a tour of the current exhibition, “Lisa Yuskavage: The Brood.”

There are only a few more days left to view “Green Varnish” by Nomad Studio at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM). Closing on Sunday, Sept. 27, this installation is a great farewell to summer 2015. An inscription is poised above the piece in the courtyard of CAM: “We live in denial within vanishing landscapes.”