Second Graders at NOMA

Today I shadowed two of the NOMA docents as they guided artist-in-training through a" Look at Architecture" and "The Elements of Art."

 I observed student drawing columns, identifying the animals represented in the griffins that guard the original building, discussing architectural features in a Dutch painting, and having fun!

Seeing the works through these inquisitive eyes made me smile.  There are no false boundaries yet imposed upon their searching eyes.  They see things that adults are too busy thinking to see.  Once the ideas were discovered they were remembered.  I believe the Newman students are all going to add griffins to the city that they are designing.

The second group of students, came with curiosity.  One little girl with a multitude of braids on her quizzical head thought that the museum was filled with toys.  She observed a boy blowing bubbles and noticed that he was wearing a red dress.  I wonder how she will interpret that?

Art stimulates the brain and the imagination.  The all-girls group saw the Elements of Art through Miro's  Portrait of a Young Girl with a circular hat and the jewelry of Sargent's Mrs. Asher.

My hope is that they will all be inspired and continue to be brought to the museum.  My earliest and fondest memories were of visiting NOMA when I was young.  Those early visits gave birth to my art appreciation and my desire to lead others into this world.  Thank you citizens of New Orleans and Mr. Delgado for the support.