This past Tuesday, September 22nd, was our first day of school tours for the 2009-2010 school year. I always look forward to the first day of tours—it’s my version of the first day of school. Our first visitors were 4th graders from McKinney ISD, and they braved the rain and cooler temperatures to visit the DMA for an A Looking Journey tour.
Students waiting to enter the DMA
Our A Looking Journey tour allows students to travel the world without ever leaving the Dallas Museum of Art. The teacher who scheduled this tour requested that all students see Frederic Edwin Church’s The Icebergs and Vincent van Gogh’s Sheaves of Wheat, two stars of our American and European collections respectively. I also overheard one student asking her docent if they would have a chance to see the mummy. She was excited to be at the Museum, and the mummy was at the top of her list of things to see while she was here.*
It’s also great to have our docents back at the Museum, ready to tour. I was talking with one of our docents on Tuesday who was giving her first tour after having been away last year. She really missed being with students in the galleries, and couldn’t wait to take those 4th graders on their Looking Journey. I’m giving an A Looking Journey tour myself today, and I am looking forward to hearing what insights my 4th graders will bring to our tour. I always learn something new from students in the galleries, and that is why I love my job so much! And yes, I will be including the mummy on my tour…
Shannon Karol Tour Coordinator