Seattle Press on Line - Children's Museum Brings John Singer Sargent to Life

Children's Museum Brings John Singer Sargent to Life

By Unknown Writer #3

Feb 08, 2001 -- Art comes to life, literally, in The Children's Museum's new exhibit, "Sunday in the Park with John." In collaboration with the Seattle Art Museum's current John Singer Sargent exhibit, the museum has taken its own spin on the well-known artist.

Children can learn about Sargent's life and artwork by talking with him. On weekend afternoons, Dave Goldstein, a student from Cornish College, will take on the identity of John Singer Sargent and paint and talk with children who walk into the exhibit. In preparation for the role, Goldstein said he made frequent trips to the Seattle Art Museum's exhibit, listened to music from Sargent's lifetime, studied biographies on Sargent and read criticisms on his artwork.

As you enter the new exhibit, it's as if you're walking into one of Sargent's watercolor paintings, said Susan Warner, Director of Education at the Children's Museum. As the sound of birds chirping plays in the room, along with music from that period, art surrounds you. Seattle artist Tim Siciliano designed the room with hanging clear plastic that has outlines of some of Sargent's famous works amongst scenery painted on the walls.

Siciliano based the installation on several of Sargent's watercolors painted in Italy at the turn of the 20th century. The paintings that he found his inspiration from can also be found around the room as well as easels and paper that kids can use to paint their own works of art. In addition to the hanging plastic, fountain-like statues can be found around the room, giving the paintings a three-dimensional feel.

"It gets your imagination going," said parent Sara Hansen, who brought her four-year-old daughter, Reve, into the exhibit. "I think it's marvelous." Reve painted a quick picture and moved on to the next exhibit in a race to see everything before the museum closed.

Depending on funding, the exhibit could run longer than its scheduled closing date of May 31. The Children's Museum and Seattle Art Museum have also come together to offer The Painter's Apprentice Art Camp, which will run February 19-23 and focus on bringing Sargent's paintings to life using theatre, dance, music and drawing. The camp, which is designed for children ages 6-10, will feature a final performance at the end of the week.

The Children's Museum is located in the lower level of Center House at Seattle Center. Admission to The Children's Museum is $5 for children and adults. Museum hours are Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 206.441.1768, or visit the web site www.thechildrensmuseum.org.

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