Making Mosaics

By Ruben Altidor

I was senior in high school when I participated in the first science fair. An exhibit of the science project is on the wall in the museum. I am looking at it right now. I can't believe how far I have come in this time. This week I helped a group of eight children create a piece of mosaic art that is now also at the museum.

I have just graduated with an electrical engineering degree from the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. While in college I began assisting with the TCNM kids program. I am an engineer. Far from an artist. But this summer I led a whole group of students completing artwork.

We just finished this week creating mosaics. We focused on our islands culture and did images such as The Lighthouse, Boats on the Sea, and Saltracking. I led the Saltraking group. We smashed and assembled various colourful tiles together. Dr. Neal Hitch took some time working on the Lighthouse and couldn't finish laying out all of the mosaics in one day.

I came by the museum days after and missed checking out the mosaics until Dr. Hitch reminded me to take a look at them. They came out pretty great, even better than I expected. I was really impressed by the creative artwork of these young kids. The results were a sight for sore eyes - so put on shades while looking at them (talk about sun in the islands)! Aliate, Neal and others were judging the mosaics and found them all to be winners, but for me the saltrakers are the best!

Tuesday with Tuvol

This week we have finished the mosaic art. The mosaics will be on display in the museum garden for all to see. The past few days with Children's Club has been very fun, but the mosaic art work was the best.

When we did the mosaic art it was like making real art. We went through the steps to make it. Like choosing an image and then choosing colors that we were going to use. Then this week we actually crushed tiles and used mortar to create our images with tiles and glass. This was hard for some of the younger children. But the older kids took the lead and worked very hard.

I loved it! And we have created something that you can really look at and they look great.

On Saturday the 21th we will be going to Gibbs Cay to close off the Children's Club

Tuesday with Tuvol

This Tuesday the Children’s Club will be finishing off the mosic art. Mosic Art is when you make art by using glass, paper or rocks. It is not that easy but its very fun after we are done it will be put in the museum garden for everyone to see. After we are done we will have lunch prepared by Aliatte it has been very fun so far.

Local Artists at Work

by Shalomar Forbes

Yesterday was Amazing!!! I have worked here at the TCI National Museum during my summer break 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!!!

Preparing for Tomorrow

Today, I came to the National Museum and I was introduced to water color painting. This is going to be used for the Children's Club program tomorrow.

What I like about water color painting is that when you’re doing it, you have to mix the paint with water - and that’s fun. The water colors are very clear and easy to use. Before doing anything, I drew a picture of a day at the beach and things that could be found there. After drawing my picture, I painted it and left it to dry.

This was a demonstration of water color in the subject of arts and crafts that I had to complete so that I can be ready to help other children tomorrow.

Artist Just in Time

By Aliatte Michele

What a wonderful summer!

The Turks and Caicos National Museum Children's Club wanted to use local artist here on Grand Turk to help out with Children's Club this year. Our theme for this year was LOCAL ARTISTS, after all.

This week we are doing plein air water color painting. After the program started we found out all of the local artist that we thought about using were off island all summer.

But, luckily Shalomar Forbes who was a past Museum employee, came home from design school for the summer and she has dedicated four weeks to work at the Museum as a design intern.

The Museum Children's Club was fortunate enough to have her on board as a local Artist. This helps me out so much I can't believe it. I thought I was going to have to lead the painting class and I am no ARTIST!

Sea Glass, See Glass

Today Tuesday the 13 of July as we usually have the museum kids program we started at 1:00pm as we usually do. We came to the national museum and we were sitting in the shade behind the museum. We were sitting in chairs under a tent. There Dr. Neal Hitch gave a little talk about the sea glass and he told it was shipped to the TCI from the states as drinks for the US Navy, and after they have finished drinking the drink they would throw the bottles into the ocean.

The most rare of them all was the Heineken bottle which is a very light green colour bottle. Dr. Hitch gave us a little talk on how the bottle got there shape. He told us how the bottles came and how it was for them to get the way it is and why it was shipped to the TCI. And after we heard from Dr. Neal hitch we heard from Mrs. Hitch who gave us an example of the type of glass we need to make the jewelry with. And Mrs. Deneen Hitch gives us a demonstration on how to make a necklace with sea glass. After the talk and everything we had a snack and everyone was fed. Then we took the chairs upstairs and there the counselors were given a group of 2-4 students to watch over. After every group had gone in the workshop they were given a chance to choose what type of jewelry they wanted to put on their necklaces.



The sea glass that was used was from the sea when we went to the Oasis Divers Dive Shop. We had a great time today. The kids had so much fun with making the jewelry. While we were making the jewelry Mrs. Hitch said who ever needed help in tying their jewelry could come to her. each group had help from their leader and if the leader did not know what to do then Mrs. Hitch helped them with what was given them a problem. It was very easy to make after making the necklace we gave a little post card to each of the kids and they painted them until it was time to go.

Tuesday with Tuvol

This Tuesday the childrens club continues. Today we will be making sea glass jewelry out of the sea glass we found last week. I have been working all week on my sea glass chain and so far it has been wonderful!!! I have learned a new craft and my chain is going to be used as an example.

Today, the children will be placed into groups of two to four. My group will be the best after we are done with making crafts.

So far so good, I am loving the childrens club later for now

Kenlove's Children's Club Blog

On Tuesday the 6th of July we the national museum went to the Oasis Dive Shop where we go to snorkel with the kids club. We broke off into groups with a counselor watching three or four children. We had supervisors and junior counselors to tell the kids what to do. Each supervisor had about 3-5 children. We left the National Museum at 1:00 so we could go to the Oasis Divers Dive Shop.

It was so exciting that as soon as we arrived we got our snorkel gear and we went snorkeling. Dr. Neal Hitch, the director, took some of the best swimmers and did a snorkel test with them all. The stronger swimmers were taken out to the bio reef, an artificial reef made to preserve damaged coral. The weaker swimmers stayed closer to the beach to look for sea glass.

The group that went out to the bio rock were out for a long time. Kids who were hungry went up to eat at our cookout. After that, we just hung out and swam. When it was time to go we came out of the water and we put clothes on and went back into the cars to leave.

Museum: What did I like best about the snorkeling?
Kenlove: What I like mostly about the snorkeling is the gear we were using and we were allowed to find sea glass so we can make necklaces.

Museum: What I like about helping with the program?
Kenlove: I like everything about it because I was a counselor and when I talked to the kids they would listen to everything I had to say.

Museum: What are we going to do next week?
Kenlove: Next week we are kayaking in the North Creek. I expect this trip to be a fun and exiting time.

Swimming in the Ocean

by Tuvol Higgs

Today was the beginning of the Children's Club at the museum. I was so interested in going swimming and finding more sea glass. The trip was long in the back of a pickup, but I did it. I learned how to snorkel and swim. I found a big conch shell and a lot of sea glass to add to my collection. After the swimming lesson, I wanted to go and see the biorock. But I was not ready so, a few more swim lessons for me before I go so far out!

I went and helped Mrs. Hitch with the little kids. After we were done swimming, I went on land and helped with the grill. I made hot dogs for everyone after which I went and cleaned up with the others.

When we were done, Kenlove and I packed up everything, got everyone together, and headed for the truck. The vehicle we were in was way in the back, so we took a little short cut and got to the museum first.

This was the best day ever on the beach for me...all because of the museum!

Tuesday with Tuvol

Hooray! The Children's Club summer program starts today. I have waited all week for this.

I was so excited that I stayed up all night and got to the museum at 6 o'clock this morning. I can't wait any more.

At the last Children's Club event we had so much fun that whenever I think about it I get very excited for the next one.

I have learned to swim through these programs. I think we have had maybe five programs where there is a swim lesson and then we snorkel. I go down to the Carnival cruise center pool and practice a lot. We are going snorkeling today. I swim pretty good now and am excited about swimming today.

Now I am going to go help Aliatte get stuff ready for when the kids come at 1:00.

Tuesdays with Tuvol

Saturday was the best day of my life. I had so much fun with the Museum. I have conquered my fear of deep water thanks to the National Museum. That was one of my biggest fears. I saved a small boy and Kenlove from drowning. They were nervous so one started to panic then causing Kenlove to get worried and flail around. I quickly swam to the rescue thus saving the little boy and Kenlove. I was so proud of myself I ran to tell Jessica.

After swimming (and saving lives) we had a cook out at Oasis Divers. I made hot dogs which is the first time I cooked them. They were so good. I like grilling.

I can't wait until next year. Thanks Turks and Caicos National Museum Children Club (T.C.N.M.C.C.) for given the opportunity to supervise and have so much fun.

What I did on Saturday 8th, 2010

by Kenlove

It was a bright and sunny day on Saturday May 8th 2010. I like going to the Museum to see my friends Dr. Neal Hitch and Jessica. But this Saturday was very different because we made arrangements to go out with the children of the Museum Children Club. I was happy because I was chosen to go along as a supervisor for the kids. I helped with arranging all the food and managing the children.

Aliatte, one of the museum staff, was preparing the food when I came in and I helped her with everything she was doing. She was happy because they were about to go to Oasis Divers dive shop. After we were finished, I took the food and put it in the back of the truck and we left. We went to the Oasis Divers shop and there we met our Oasis friends and we went snorkeling. We used goggles and floats and went out. I saw a squid hiding in a hole. It was looking at me.

We made jokes with some of the people who were working at the Oasis Divers shop. First the boys went into the water. After a few minutes we went back to where we started and switched snorkeling gear with the girls, who were waiting on us. They swam to the same place we went. We swam to a point where we looked at an anchor that was under the water. It was close to dock where the cruise ships are always tied to. It was a very fun time for every one. We came out of the sea and we went and got something to eat.

Tuvol was cooking Hotdogs and I was serving the children. They were too excited. When they finally calmed down, Dr. Hitch was talking and asking everyone how much fun they had.
Everyone was happy until it was time to go home. Then it started raining. When the time was up to go I was so playing around that I didn’t even realize it. Before we left Tuvol and I took some pictures together with some friends that were with us. That was so much fun. I never had that much fun in my life. I mean like being Happy for a few minutes in my life. I wish I could go on another field trip like that again.

Snorkeling and a Cook-out

Saturday's snorkeling program was one of the best Children Club programs of the summer. We had twice as many people as last year - nearly 30 kids!

Oasis Divers donated 2 dive masters and snorkel and safety equipment and the Grand Turk Cruise Center approved the use of the roped off swim area for to help make the day a success.

After a short discussion on the 18th century cannon and anchor that lay off the beach the children were divided into 2 groups based on their swimming skills. The inexperienced swimmers were introduced to the snorkel to the snorkel equipment and basic swimming safety, and then led in a swimming lesson while the more advanced swimmers swam over an 18th century cannon. The children were extremely excited to use the snorkel gear and see the underwater life. Many commented that this was the “best day ever” and all were disappointed that the next snorkel excursion wouldn’t be until next summer.

Clement Howell High School

The students of Clement Howell High School visited Grand Turk from Provo last Friday. We were glad to know that the Museum was on their list of places to see. The Children's Club Coordinator gave them a special tour of the Molasses Reef Wreck artifacts and the Lucayan room. There were quite a few shutter bugs in the group who were madly taking pictures of everything they saw!

Tuesday with Tuvol

Hello!
Welcome Back to a new Tuesday With Tuvol

On Saterday 8th 2010 the Museum's Children Club will be going snorkaling at the Grand Turk Cruise Center and on Bio Rock. All of the children are saying that they can't wait and trust me, I can't wait myself. After we are finished we will have lunch at the museum. It was one of the best days I had at the museum last year and I'm looking forward to this year too.


Thank You From
Tuesday with Tuvol.

Wednesday with Eliza Simon Primary School

Growing up on these beautiful-by-nature Islands made me realise that I had a dream, and that dream was to become a teacher... and so it happen. These months are my final months in college in completion of my associate degree in Primary Education.

On Wednesday, however, the museum offered another chance for me to confirming this desire of being a teacher. I spent almost two hours talking and explaining what is in the Museum to the third graders of Eliza Simon primary school, and I felt that I could have gone on and on talking and explaining until they understood what the Turks and Caicos National Museum is all about. The students were very calm and collected when I was speaking and through their eyes I could see that they did not want to leave the Museum.

I had a lovely and precious time with these children and I am very excited about my career path.

Finesse

Jessica made me look up the definition of finesse. Her soccer coach back in the states always made her practice it and now she's passing it down.

Finesse is delicacy in handling situations. I'm working on this. I handle computers carefully and I use finesse when I cut onions for cooking. Now I know what it's called.

Having a Birthday

My name is Kenlove Taus. Today is my birthday.

What a place to have a birthday. This morning I walked to the museum. I love the museum. The museum published my poems in a magazine. To my amazement, when I went to school or walk down the street people congratulated me on my poetry.

The museum helped me to develop my poetry and my writing skills. Today, when I told everyone it was my birthday they went to the bakery and bought breakfast rolls and everyone sat in the front of the museum. The staff wanted me to write a poem right then. I asked for paper, composed a few lines of verse, and read them to everyone.

Everyone clapped. I told the director that this was not a party.

But it is the only party I will get today.

Tuesday's with Tuvol

Children club on March Saturday the 27th the Turks and Caicos Islands National Museum held the first anual Drama Club that will be every Saturday in the mounth of March. The children had time to get to know everyone and to feel confertable with each other. We played a food game were we set in a group and everyone has a chance to call out a food and whatever the name of the food ends with the next person names a food with that letter.

I liked the role playing games. We had to act at each other. The first one was that we had to pretend that we hadn't seen someone for a long time. The other one was that we had to pretend to win the lottery. I really liked that one.

I can't wait for next week!

Charismatic by Tuvol Higgs

A lady on a tour called me charismatic the other day. It means that I'm open and not shy of people. In other words: I'm confident.

Go me.

Jessica said I had to write a blog about it because I was so proud to get the title. It made me feel good to know I'm a good team with the museum staff. I'm going to never let Jessica forget that the lady said that.

Archaeology?

On Saturday we held a Children's Club archaeological program. This was suppose to be a day when we went out to the Lucayan site GT4, where the museum completed an archaeological survey last week.

Unfortunately, it rained all day. A few kids showed up anyway. Rory, on his last day at the museum, talked to them about his experience doing archaeology with the museum and showed several of the artifacts recovered. Aliatte arranged an afternoon of crafts and the children had a great time staying out of the rain.

Tuesday with Tuvol - On Hypothesis

While Tiffany was on Grand Turk she told me that when she leaves I should come up with a new word every Tuesday.

My first word is hypothesis.

Hypothesis is a very big word that can be broken down in to four syllables. By breaking a word into syllables it is easier to learn.

My sentence for this week is:

I hypothesize that Grand Turk is the best place to live.

By using hypothesis in that sentence, I mean that I am guessing that there is no place in the world more "bootiful" than our white sandy beaches. Not only that, but we have whale watching, palm trees, flamingos, and the lovely conch shells. And our people are the best. We have pretty women, strong men, and the one and only Tuvol.

To prove my hypothesis I would have to go to other places in the world like Paris, Italy, and Sydney.

Tuesdays with Tuvol

Jess is back on Grand Turk and that means more fun, fun, fun in the sun. So Kenlove and I will be all over Grand Turk from Grand Turk Cruise Center to the Sand Bar and from the Sand Bar to the Museum 24/7. The Museum has a new intern named Rory, he is a nice gentleman that helps the Museum with the homework program along with Jess. As an unofficial representative of the Turks and Caicos National Museum, I would like to extend an offer to the children that are in forth and fifth form and (C.C.) Community College of Grand Turk to use the program if you have completely no access to the internet and have homework/projects to do. I use the program and have done a lot of homework. Without the homework program I don't know how I would survive in school.

I like doing my homework. Teachers are giving me attention good and bad. Good because they like the way the museum taught me to cite my homework properly. Bad because my teacher made the class re-do the homework like I did it. So now I'm a goner but without doing my homework my mom would kill me.

The Turks and Caicos National Museum is the best place to go to learn about the T.C.I. and I go so much that I can tell you everything about the museum. Try me! I love the museum so much that I never want to leave.