Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Running Free Among the Priceless Works of Art

We haven't done a kids event at the Brooks since Meredith was about 2. This weekend we took Keddi and braved the Saturday morning mayhem for The Impressionist Revolution show that's there now. It couldn't have been cooler. The girls made amazing hats from butcher paper, then folded paper boats, and then did a scavenger hunt through the exhibit itself. There were details to find, animals to count, wagon tracks to analyze, and rewards for each correct answer given to a volunteer.

Let's be clear, any actual rewards should have gone to me (and mostly to the guards) for preventing Madeline from destroying any works of art. A high point was finding her climbing on a column to reach one such priceless item. And now I've been sarcastic, which Meredith hates. But if there was ever a time...

Luckily the end of the exhibit has a pretty impressive children's room. Hats for dressing up, a "cafe" for philosophical pontificating, and more.



Part two of the morning was a performance by the students at New Ballet Ensemble. They re-enacted Degas paintings that were projected behind them in a completely fluid and beautiful way. And did lots more besides. I am consistently blown away by the quality of ballet here in Memphis. I recognize that I know nothing about ballet, but it's always accessible, inspiring and relevant. And that's something.

August 13 is pottery day for kids at the Brooks. We might just have to check that out.

2 comments:

e. said...

I want to learn how to make one of those hats! Think MerMer can hook it up?

Unknown said...

Oh yeah, babe. All we need is newspaper and duct tape. And feathers.