The Cummer serves over 22,000 students and teachers every year through our school tours. We encourage students to ask questions and make observations during their museum experience. Every now and then, they say some of the darnedest things. I thought I’d share a few of their comments with you.
During our recent exhibit of DeBry etchings of the Huguenots in Florida captured by LeMoynes first-hand drawings, a class calculated that they explored this area five hundred years ago. One student asked the docent, “Ms. Mary, were you alive when the artist was here in Florida?”
Theodor de Bry, Flemish, Meeting between Rene de Laudonniere and the Timucuan Chief Athore, from: Grands Voyages, vol. 2, plate VIII, 1591, Engraving, 12 7/8"x 9 3/8"
Docents teach first graders about seeing texture in art. A class was asked what they knew about the word “texture.” One little boy replied, “I know! It’s like texting!”
Kindergarten students study portraiture. When viewing portraits in one of our galleries, a kindergarten noticed that Captain Samuel Worthington Dewey by Thomas Sully, “looked just like Justin Bieber.”
Thomas Sully, American, 1783-1872, Captain Samuel Worthington Dewey, 1834, Oil on Canvas, 30"x 24"
Seated before the Portrait of Andrew Jackson, fourth graders were asked who was in the portrait. One boy’s hand went up and confidently declared, “Frankenstein.”
George P.A. Healy, American, Portrait of Andrew Jackson, 1845, Oil on Canvas, 30"x25"
Have you ever heard a funny or odd observation from a child as they look at artwork? Please share as a comment below.
I am a docent and last week while going over gallery rules with a 1st grade class (no touching the art work, etc.) one little boy said because “you break it, you buy it”!
While leading a class of 3rd graders through the gardens a few years ago, we paused at the top of the stairs overlooking the Italian Gardens. When one little girl gazed upon the reflecting pools, blooming azaleas, the fountain and the St. Johns River, she exclaimed (in a very loud voice), “THIS MUST BE THE GARDEN OF EDEN!”
Yes, Chrys. As you know, many students are in awe of the gardens. We’ve heard similar exclamations asking if it’s heaven or wish they could have the gardens as their backyard.