A cloud of creativity hovered over the Vero Beach Museum of Art last Saturday as children of all ages spent the day up to their elbows in the arts at the museum’s 36th annual Children’s Art Festival.
“The first festival was held in tents before the museum was physically here and open. It was the catalyst for people’s interest in a community museum,” explained Marshall Adams, VBMA director of education. Now, all these years later, the event draws nearly 4,000 children, parents and grandparents to the day-long art extravaganza.
“It’s a huge day here at the museum. We’re celebrating creativity in the lives of the children of our community. The museum is a place for people to come together,” said Adams.
The most difficult decision of the day was what to do first. Outside, the Learning Alliance Moonshot Rocket Bus brought along a stable of foam horses. Children could read in oversize bean bag chairs in the shade or decorate their steeds before galloping through the rest of the activities.
Indoors, student art was on display where attendees could get a close look at some amazing pieces, including the 30th annual Indian River County Juried Student Art Exhibition, which will be on display through May 31.
Youngsters wanting to get their fingers dirty created masterpieces with tempera paint, air-dry clay projects were erected and tiles were painted for display. To introduce more experiential art, giant looms made from PVC and hula hoops tempted textile artists and a collaborative string art project enticed little artists to add designs at will. Science came into play with pendulum painting; children were mesmerized by random designs that appeared with the flick of the paint bottle.
“It’s important for children to have the opportunity to experience the museum at an early age,” said volunteer coordinator Susan Smith, who provided an army of helpers to work with museum staff. “I love to see the children interacting with their parents while they create their masterpieces.”
“We tried to provide as many art making opportunities as possible,” said Pamela Sommers, VBMA youth and family programs manager. “We wanted children to have the opportunity to do something in the museum that they might not be able to do in a regular classroom or at home. The goal was to give these kids a different experience in the arts and motivate them to think of things they could do at home. It’s a chance for them to come get messy and we’ll take care of the cleanup.”
In addition to all the other activities, music and dance filled the halls as local school choruses sang, twirlers twirled and musicians, dancers and theater apprentices performed at venues throughout the museum.
“All people create,” explained Sommers. “Whether you create through performance, with your voice or with your hands you are creating art. It’s just a different outlet. We want the kids to have the opportunity to discover early on what their options are so they can always have a creative outlet.”
