Children's Workshops at the van Gogh
February 12, 2007 at 12:59 PM
by Ashleigh
Anyone who's been to Amsterdam knows about the van Gogh Museum and it seems like everyone has it on their list of places to visit.
Anyone who's been here also knows about the queues at the van Gogh. Full of disaffected teenagers being dragged on 'culturally enriching' trips by their parents, Japanese tourists with huge cameras, annoyingly lovey-dovey honeymooners, and then people like us.
I have two words for you if you want to avoid the queue - Museum Card.
If you sign up for a museum card you can just walk straight in, past the ticket counter and into the musuem. They scan your card at the entrance and you're in! A museumkaart only costs 30 euros a year, so two big museums and you've got your money's worth. It also means you don't have to feel too bad about the 25 euros spent in the cafe or the shop later. You can sign up for a card at any participating museum and use it immediately, but I wouldn't suggest trying to do so at a high-traffic museum like the van Gogh.
The current exhibition is van Gogh and the Expressionists and although I didn't get to see too much of the exhbition itself, (thanks to my younger son, who has absolutely no interest in art), I did get to see the works submitted by Dutch schools in the Expressief! exhibition. This showcased some amazing work produced as part of a competition amongst Dutch schools and the exhibit runs until 4 March 2007.
I actually prefer this work to the work of the great Masters - these kids are alive and their life shapes their art. I enjoy looking at great works of art, but something in me resonates more with work done by living artists.
Which brings me to the reason that we were at the van Gogh yesterday - Sebastian attended a workshop! Yes, the van Gogh has workshops for kids aged 6 - 12.
It was fabulous! He got a real painter's apron to wear (suitable spattered with paint) and an easel to work at. The atelier is beautifully bright, full of light and very inspiring.
The docent really had a feel for children and she guided the children to create some remarkable works of art. Every child produced a very individual work of art and I was pretty impressed. Sebastian's self-portrait was so good that I'm framing it for his room. I'll share a picture when it's done.
The workshops run on Saturdays and Sundays at two different times - morning and afternoon - for approximately 1 3/4 hours. They have a different theme each week.
You need to sign your child in a few weeks in advance so I suggest if you plan to visit Amsterdam on a set date that you phone and make a booking well in advance. The workshop costs 4 euros and includes entrance, a drink, materials and teaching. The phone number is listed on the website. For English readers, click here for information.
They also hold birthday parties on Wednesday afternoons so if you have a budding artist in your family this is the perfect birthday party choice!
To finish this post neatly before it runs on too long, have a look here at a video from the van Gogh of my heavily bearded husband and me.
Please note that contrary to his appearance, he is not actually a homeless person!
Comments
Sounds like great fun!
I don't visit museums enough - and I love them!
I do like your video very clever
Looks like you all had great fun! Thanks for pointing out the opportunities at van Gogh!
That video is hilarious! We had a similar thing going at a museum while vacationing in Norway and send it by mail to my parents. (All five of us were in it trying to speak simultaneously) My parents laughed so much!
You come up with the COOLEST things to do with the kids, Ash. You really are an inspiration!!
You're right about the lines at the van Gogh museum - it's really incredible! That museum card pays for itself just to be able to walk by the hundreds of tourists waiting to get in. But even if you have to wait - the museum is definitely worth it!
Sounds like a lovely outing.
Oh THAT camera...
You guys look good! and Brad looks *less* homeless than he used to ;)
Ash: Thanks Jane! And Brad's homeless look? You're just lucky you couldn't see the rest of him ;)
I love the Van Gogh. (Actually I just posted about it myself). What a great why to get children involved in art!
PS, that video was too funny :)
February 12, 2007 1:58 PM