I joined three children and their mom, Peggy, as they participated in the Marin Arts Council Scavenger Hunt for Kids on 4th Street in San Rafael. As they checked in and picked up their forms they were excited to browse the gallery, answer the questions AND then get FREE ice cream from Double Rainbow down the block.
Emily, 12, Joel, 10, and Hannah, 6, filled in their names and began the hunt! They gathered together at a group of paintings finding the answer to the first question, “Find this water-loving bird that scoops up fish in it’s huge, elastic throat pouch.” As Hannah pointed to the large painting I could hear her say, “Pelican!”
Hannah was having so much FUN finding the paintings. She was usually the first one to spot them. Hannah loves art and joyfully told me, “I love museums! There is a museum in New York (Museum of Natural History), I wanted to see EVERYthing!”
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Emily and I agreed that the questions made us focus on the art in a different way. We noticed and appreciated the paintings, sculptures and photographs even more when we were given clues and roamed the gallery looking for them.
One question was, “Find a bird who hovers, flies upside down and backwards.” Hannah spotted the hummingbird photographs and pointed to a nest and said, “Oooo, I’ve seen that nest! Yeah, we’ve seen it before! We’ve seen it with babies.” With great focus she studied the real nest preserved in a shadow box.
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When I asked Hannah what her favorite painting was in the gallery, she smiled and quickly pointed to the painting of a dog, “Doggie!” Emily’s favorite was a large painting of an egret flying over a lake. Joel was patiently waiting for ice cream.
We completed all the questions on the Scavenger Hunt and handed the forms to Edwin who read the answers, stamped the forms, and congratulated each of the children for completing the Hunt.
Then we were off to Double Rainbow to get free ice cream! When we entered the store Hannah said to her mom, “Remember when I use to get a cup of gummy bears!?”
But not today. Hannah, Joel and Emily all enjoyed their ice cream after a fun time at the gallery.
Stop by the Marin Arts Council Scavenger Hunt for Kids on Wednesday thru Saturday from 11- 6pm until April 15th. The paintings, photographs, sculptures, fiber art and jewelry by local artists are wonderful. The exhibit is entitled, “Nature’s Palette.”
There is always a sense of magic when we see children appreciating nature, animals and beauty. On a rainy day it was fun appreciating it inside a local art gallery through the eyes of children!
Until next Wednesday, remember, it is all “for the love of kids…”
In joy, Marilyn
