Out And About: Monterey Museum of Art
Every second Saturday of the month a small group of children
and their parents come to Monterey Museum of Art while the doors
are still locked. A docent meets the group and takes them on
a wonderful, informative, and age appropriate tour of one of
the museum's current exhibits. After the fifteen-to-twenty minute
tour, there's a great hands-on class that lets the children put
into practice what they have just learned. View and Do! is a
real bargain. It's small-group tutoring for no cost except a
materials fee.
Overview:
Paul says: "The
small class size makes for a great deal of individual attention.
At $2 per child +adult ($2 each additional child), we couldn't
purchase the materials, let alone the instruction. Our children
are learning from people with a passion for art, and that enthusiasm
is evident."
Julie adds: "It's not only the knowledgeable docents
our children have learned from. It's the other students as well.
Since everyone is working on the same basic 'theme', but with
freedom to do the project in their own way, the results are educational
in themselves. There may be five different children interpreting
Rembrandt's self-portrait, and all five will be unique."
Highlights include:
· The docents Not only are they knowledgeable, but they're skilled in dealing with children. "It's almost like being at Grandma's house," says Jenna (9). Indeed, the budding artists are nurtured, sometimes shepherded, but never criticized. Just like Grandma's ;-)
· An integrated approach Students are not simply turned loose, they are first instructed, given a base of knowledge and understanding from which to build. Different teaching approaches are used, tailored to the individual child. Especially for those who come every month, there is a concerted effort to get to know the child and support his strengths.
· Variety Every month is different! Children are able to work with materials and styles as simple as paper collages or as complex as wire and modeling clay. The constant is that each project ties into one of the current Museum displays. They are encouraged as real artists, not simply children at play.
· The outdoor sculpture garden Plan to spend a few minutes outdoors before or after View and Do! There are some really interesting sculptures that are real conversation sparkers. Sit with your child and let his imagination run.
View and Do! is our favorite aspect of the Monterey Museum of Art, but not the only one we like. MMA has done a fine job of making the museum child-friendly. Annual family memberships are relatively inexpensive, and let you explore the displays over and over again at your own pace. The interactive quilting exhibit upstairs is Jenna's (9) favorite museum spot to visit, while Elisha (6) prefers the changing displays where he can draw. There's certainly something for everyone, no matter how young or old.
Out & About Helpful Hints: Make certain your children wear something that can get dirty. It's not a fashion show, it's an art class. Parents are invited and encouraged to participate. You may discover with your child some hidden artistic talent, or you may simply have fun.
Kid Safety Considerations: Take a few minutes and explain to your child about the oils on his hands and the damage they can do to a piece of art. There's plenty of hands-on downstairs, but the main gallery is for looking.
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At A Glance Monterey Museum of Art 559 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 372-7591, open 11-5 Wed-Saturday, 1-4 Sundays, $5.00 admission 12+; children under 12 FREE. View and Do! On Second Saturday of the month at 10:30. Reservations necessary and available by calling (831) 373-2061. Appropriate for all ages, children under 12 need adult supervision Annual Family passes for adults and minor children: $50 |
(c) 2000 Paul
and Julie Gentry. Note: this article first appeared in Monterey
County Family Magazine
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