Morning on the Sand 

Mark Beck’s painting *Morning on the Sand*, made sometime in the 20th century, invites us to consider the cultural significance of the beach and the role of the lifeguard within it. The lifeguard tower is prominently featured. It symbolizes safety, vigilance, and the regulation of bodies within a space historically fraught with racial and social tensions. The beach has often been a site of contestation around issues of access, segregation, and leisure. In this context, we might consider who is being protected and who is being excluded. The painting's emotional resonance lies in its stillness, the quiet before the beach fills with people. There is a sense of anticipation, a loaded pause before the performance of summer begins. *Morning on the Sand* captures a moment of potential, asking us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in the seemingly idyllic landscape and on the unspoken rules that govern our shared spaces.