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.