Plein Air Painting at the Museum

by Shalomar Forbes

Yesterday was Amazing!!! I have worked here at the TCI National Museum during my summer break from the art department at Barry University for 3 years, two of which as their Graphic Designer; yesterday, however will be my most memorable.

Two days ago I was asked to conduct a plein-air painting seminar at the museum, I was caught off guard at first when Dr. Neal Hitch asked me, but I have to admit, the excitement kept me anxious through out the night; looking forward to spending time with the kids at Children's Club.

Yesterday, I hosted about 21 kids that were excited to get the ball rolling on our activities for the day. Expressing creativity through the prospect of being able to create beauty with the simplest of things was to be a new adventure for their imagination and an enlightenment to their capabilities. Watching them laugh and become amazed at their creations made me feel as if I would enjoy doing this for a very long time.

Prior to engaging in events with the kids at kids club, I have never entertained the idea of teaching art to children, or that it would be so wonderfully fun and exciting doing so.

After our painting sessions, we went in the ocean to cool off, jumping and splashing and playing... What a day. By the time I got home, the activities of yesterday were still stamped in my memories like a colorful home movie. I am still smiling at the memory today.

IT. WAS. WONDERFUL!!!

Junior Wardens and Lion Fish

by Davis Hitch

Lion fish, the hunters of the sea. Stealth ninjas of fish.

This week I've been participating in the Junior Wardens Program, a DECR program which has been taking place at the National Museum. Today we learned and practiced the art of C.P.R. and listened to a presentation about the invasive lion fish.

My father, the directer of the museum, set up a tent outside. We were brought some lion fish and started to dissect them. It was disgusting but fun. We'd take a knife to its stomach and cut till our hearts content. We were required to cut out the stomach and reproductive organ to see if it was a boy or girl. We looked at the contents of the stomach. Many people almost fainted. All in all it was fun and an exiting time.

A couple days ago I was standing in front of the museum and heard an older gentlemen off of the Caribbean Princess Cruise Ship talking to Lina after her Historic Houses and Museum Tour.

He told her,"You are the best guide we have ever had on a cruise."

He went on to say, "The upstairs of your museum was good, but the downstairs exhibit was fantastic."

We like very much when people have a good time at the National Museum on Grand Turk. We like it too!

Children's Club Summer Program 2010

by Aliatte Michel

It's that time of the year again! The museum's Children's Club summer program has officially kicked off on Grand Turk. Last Tuesday marked the beginning of fun filled Tuesdays in July and August. The start of this years program was a bang!!!

The snorkeling class at Oasis South was a marvellous. I have watched children participate in our swim class programs for the last couple of years and never imagined that they would be able to swim so well. But we have children who went as far as 20 feet deep snorkeling on the Bio-reef.

Even I, who never swam in the ocean before our Children's Club program last year, can now swim thanks to the museum. On Tuesday, I had another lesson and was actually swimming water over my head. Now that is hard to believe!

Two Schools-One Week

Just graduated from College and already had two days in the classroom, Haha!

On Tuesday June 29, 2010 the Precious Treasures Primary school from Provo flew to Grand Turk for the day and their first stop was the Turks and Caicos National Museum. The students from Precious Treasures really enjoyed the tour provided by me and also asked a lot of questions about the tour.

On July 1, 2010, The Eliza Simons Primary School visited the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Four teachers came with their classes. When I lead tours I always asked the children questions to get them involved.

There was this one little boy who kept on answering questions about the Museum correctly. It was really funny because I never saw him in the Museum before and I asked him, "How often do you come to the Museum?" and his answer was "a lot." It surprises me how many children actually come and learn something at our museum. When I see the little faces coming to the Museum, I think are they really learning?

In fact, today showed me that they are.