Getting organized…
It has been years since Nigel and I celebrated New Year’s Eve so when a tour came up, I decided to do it. This was at 2:30 which is not a widely attended time. I actually figured it would be a very slow day, but the parking lot was fairly crowded. I thought I just might have some takers for my tour! I had arrived about 20 minutes early because that’s protocol. It also gives me a bit of time to tour the galleries, after checking in, and drum up some business. The Lume was still running the special for children…buy an adult ticket, get two children’s tickets free. I noticed a young couple wandering around, looking a bit lost. I asked them if they were here for the Lume. The man said they were, but they sat down and waited.
No takers, but, wait…
I wasn’t able to find anyone to take my tour with the exception of a young man who volunteers at the museum almost every afternoon and evening. I love it when he comes along because he’s been on so many tours over the years. He often will interject a comment, or I look to him for clarification sometimes. If no one shows up for your tour, you just turn it into a Gallery Conversation (which I love). As I was getting ready to head into the galleries, I noticed the young family was still seated. I went over and asked if they were here for the Lume or the tour. It was at that point I realized English was not their first language. They were here for the tour! This wouldn’t be the first time I’d had young children on a tour, but you just never know how that’s going to play out.
A Night at Newfields…
I had come up with a fairly good theme, if I do say so myself. We were going to look at three pieces of art featuring nighttime. We started out at Charles Alston’s Harlem at Night. I talked a bit about the artist, then asked something along the lines of “How does this make you feel?” I was unprepared for what happened next! The kids, ages about four and six, popped up with their answers right away. We had the best conversation about why it made them scared, what were some of the things that frightened them, and talked about the colors and lines. We laughed and talked some more about the painting. The parents, I could tell, were willing to let their kids take the lead on this tour. And, I was, frankly, thrilled! We had a blast talking about Harlem at Night. Then, we moved on to Constance Richardson’s Streetlight. This time, I asked them what they saw in the painting…not strictly a VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) question…but the kids again came through with all kinds of things they saw in the painting. We talked and talked about the little person in the street and why they were there. We then talked about the lights and where they came from. These kids were on it! The parents occasionally would say something, but, again, I think they were more than happy for the kids and I to take this tour. They were just following along.
Finally…
Finally, we came to William Scott’s Rainy Night. This painting gives strong Impressionist vibes, but I’ve yet to find something definitive on that. When I asked the kids what was going on in the painting, we had another wonderful talk about the rainy streets and the lights shining. When I asked how they could tell it was rainy, the little girl replied, “You can see the reflections in the street.” How’s that for perceptive? We talked about the way the paint was thickly applied to the painting and the color choices. We also talked about what it would look like in the daylight. And, with that painting, my tour was over, but I talked with the children and the parents for a little bit before they left to wander around the museum a bit more.
The outfit…
I decided to really dress up since it was New Year’s Eve. Isn’t it funny the last few posts I’ve done with clothes have featured black? I bought this Brilliant Dot maxi skirt from Talbots when it went on sale. They had some additional percentage off so I got it for a bargain. I love polka dots, but I wasn’t sure about this after reading the reviews. Notice the placement of the polka dots right across my stomach? Yeah, it’s not the best placement, and you can’t unsee it once you see it. But, when you’re moving, I don’t think it’s noticeable. This skirt really is gorgeous, and I’ll wear it for years. It’s even lined, and, oh, glory, glory, it has pockets! Last year, Angie from Your True Self wrote about turtlenecks and mentioned cashmere ones. I had donated mine a few years ago. It was from Casual Corner…remember that store? Anyway, after reading her post, I added this beautiful cashmere turtleneck from Talbots during the Red Door Sale last year. It’s so soft and fairly thick for cashmere. I haven’t linked to one because they only have a few colors in extremely limited sizes. I am sure they will have them again next year.
The Lewk!
You are not imagining things. These are, indeed, my Miz Mooz Leighton boots which so comfortable that I reach for them over and over, especially if I’m going to the museum. I wanted to be especially sparkly so I actually wore two necklaces for my tour. I didn’t remember how I’d gotten them to go together so I just put on the most statement-y one. I added these J Crew blingy hoops even though they aren’t always seen through my hair.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I haven’t given a lot of tours yet, but I have to say this was the most fun I’ve had so far. I really wasn’t sure how it was going to show with two small children and the particular art I’d chosen. Thank goodness I’d been a teacher and knew how to talk to kids. As I said earlier, English wasn’t the parents’ first language, but it was the children’s. We had no problems in talking about art and their experiences that related to the art. Now, I’m leading you to believe the parents didn’t talk at all. They did, but only to ask questions about the artist or something more technical. I was so sure I’d be spending the time walking the galleries, and I ended up with one of the best tours ever! So, can we talk? What did you do for New Year’s Eve (if you can remember that far back)? Have you ever gone to a museum on NYE? Do you enjoy talking with kids? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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How lovely that those children enjoyed the art so much and felt comfortable opening talking about it all.
I remember taking my nephew’s two children to the Tate Modern for a whole day – they were 10 and 12. They’d never been to an art gallery before and amongst other artists we went to a Miro exhibition. They were amazed at what ‘art’ might be and really got Miro. I almost had to restrain them as they wanted to get right up and close to the paintings and when I showed them a Jackson Pollock they couldn’t believe how much they were worth! It was the first time they realised how ‘art’ could express so much with so little. It was such a great experience for us all so I really get how lovely it was to have those two children ask questions throughout your tour.
I absolutely love that skirt.