MEET THE MASTERS AT THE 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.

(c) 2000 Paul and Julie Gentry. Note: this article first appeared in Monterey County Family Magazine.