Where to Wednesday: Crocker Art Gallery
As I drove out of Old Sacramento last week, I noticed a huge addition being built at the Crocker Art Museum. Attached to this old Victorian building that has been standing there since I was a young kid, is an addition as sleek as New York’s Guggenheim Museum. I shy away from art museums. I can only take so much of standing and admiring before things all start to blur together. The thought of bringing two energetic young boys to a place where they aren’t allowed to touch things also made me apprehensive. But, on a whim, I decided we were going to try it and see what happens. Worst thing, we leave and go elsewhere.
There are three floors at the present time. The new addition will open October 10th of 2010. The kids, no surprise, took as much interest in the leveler blinds as they did in the paintings on the wall. However, the paintings and sculptures did open up conversation for us to talk about what people used to wear in different periods, what occupations were held long ago that you don’t see nowadays, and how art differs in other cultures. In addition to the typical hanging art and sculptures along the hallways, one room held clothing from I’d guess about a hundred years ago: dresses, hats, shoes, and parasols. Another room was dedicated to Asian art. Another had beautifully painted plates, which the kids got a kick out of. Our favorite place was a well-lit foyer area where there was an exhibit that you could walk through. It had many walls with small mirrors on them, the kids really enjoyed the effect the light and mirrors created. I have some photos that I am holding for the upcoming Photo Friday so check back again!
Though our trip didn’t happen to fall on an event day, there are several activities that Crocker Art Gallery hosts specifically for youth and families. Once a month there is a day called ”Wee Wednesday” where art projects are available for the little ones. Also there are story-and-art hours, and drawing classes for teens. This Saturday is Free Museum day, so you may find it worthwhile to go and check out for yourselves. Their online calendar makes it easy to plan for special events. By the way, from noon until 3pm on the second Saturday of each month are kid-based activities that follow different themes. This month, Feb. 13th, the teme is “Drawing from Still Life”. Regularly, adults are only $6 and kids six and under are free, so regardless of which day you plan your trip, it won’t break the bank. Metered parking is directly in front of the museum, so bring your quarters. For us, one hour was just about right.
I don’t consider myself very artistic, but I like the idea of bringing my kids somewhere that supplies the materials and the inspiration. I think they will get much more appreciation of art that way than by relying on me. So for the years that it has taken me to get here (even though it’s practically in my backyard), I’m glad we went. I hope to go back on a day with planned kids’ activities. Maybe it will help me tap into the inner-painter I wish I could be.
[...] an art museum with young boys, we had a pretty good time. You can read more about that trip here. The thing we most enjoyed was a piece of art that you can walk through. It plays with light and [...]
I haven’t been to Crocker since my kids were tiny babies. It is nice to see that the museum has expanded. I am not sure how a 3 year old would do in the museum but I certainly would like to check it out!