The image that usually comes to mind when thinking of an art museum is one of somber patrons quietly contemplating serious pieces of professional artwork.
However, any person who believes that type of entertainment is all that an art museum has to offer needs to visit the Jule Collins Smith Museum at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
They will be greeted with the sounds of children excitedly laughing and squealing and instructors energetically teaching various art techniques.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum's Saturday art club meets every Saturday this summer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to come work with art teachers from throughout the community to learn exciting new art techniques.
Kids get to work with every medium imaginable, from watercolors and crayons to pewter and plaster.
"Kids need encouragement and a safe environment to create art, and that's what we're trying to give them," said Education Curator (K-12) Adam Henley, who is in charge of the art club.
When Henley took over the project a year ago, the club met only once a month.
He said he decided to increase the frequency to once a week to expand how much the club has to offer the students.
The program has expanded, increasing from about 20 students per week to more than 75.
In the past, the club has also catered mainly to elementary school students, but in recent weeks secondary students have been allowed to come as well.
The museum has garnered more publicity for the club by sending flyers to local art teachers, who then send the information home with their students.
Amanda Ray, an art teacher at two Opelika elementary schools, said she encourages her students to attend the club.
"I knew I had several kids who would love this, especially in the summer when nothing's going on," said Ray, who attended the art club last Saturday for "moral support."
This support from local school systems has raised more awareness of the art club, both from returning members, and people who have never gone at all.
Melissa Howell, who works in the office of the Dean of Students, brought her mother and her daughter for the first time last Saturday.
"I could've just stayed in the bed, but I wanted to see what it was all about, and we got grandma to come too!" Howell said. "It was a lot of fun."
Kim Smith, an instructional assistant at Auburn Early Education Center, says she's passionate about showing kids all the different aspects of art.
Her daughters Ashlee, 9 and Katelyn, 7, have enjoyed coming to the art club since last summer.
Their favorite project so far has been "Texture," in which the kids got to make straw hats and decorate them with sequins, buttons, and ribbons.
Katelyn has one other favorite part of the art club--the cookies. The museum serves light, kid-approved refreshments.
Henly keeps in contact with many art teachers in the area, but he said he's always looking for volunteers to help teach techniques on Saturday mornings.
Education majors, especially those with a specialty in art education, are encouraged to contact him at andrew.henley@auburn.edu or 334-844-8792, if they are interested in helping out with the art club.
Students looking for a great way to beef up a resume while also having a great time are encouraged to volunteer.
While the art club is geared toward elementary school students, it has something to offer everyone.
From volunteering to learning basic art techniques to just having a great time goofing around with the kids, the Saturday art club is a fun way to spend a Saturday morning.
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