How often do you visit the museum?
During the summer, we visited quite often due to the Military Family special.
What is your favorite i.d.e.a. Museum exhibition?
My kids really enjoy playing in the Cafe, Library and Veterinary Clinic in ArtVille and they really love the black light room in the museum.
When you’re at the museum, where do you usually spend your time?
ArtVille
How has the i.d.e.a. Museum directly impacted you and/or your family’s life?
My twins were preemies and have always had delays. One of my twins is still slightly behind, but also has a really artistic ability that I could see from an early age. She gets frustrated and gives up a lot of things when she doesn’t as fast as her twin sister. Being able to go to the museum this summer really helped her. I could see the artistic part of her and the creativity in her blossom. I see a boost in her confidence and also just her overall behavior, and I believe it’s a direct result of being able to go to this museum so much this summer.
Who’s your favorite artist or what’s your favorite piece of artwork? Do you have a favorite quote?
My cousin Jenna Garcia is a local artist. She’s had a few art galleries and shows in Scottsdale and her artwork was featured on Mill Avenue last summer. I personally have NO talent in this area so I’m always in awe when I see her work. I have a few favorite quotes, off hand the ones that stick out are “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” from Dr. Seuss. It reminds me of Risa. Another is a scripture that says “He makes a childless woman a happy mother.” 🙂
Anything else you’d like to add that I didn’t ask?
My husband is active Military, currently deployed to Afghanistan since the Summer of 2018. As you can imagine, it’s been a very rough transition for two 6-year-olds, as well as for myself as I’m trying to remain strong for all three of us! Having this Military Special was one of the best things that could’ve happened for us this summer! The summers are super hot and it’s hard to go anywhere. But to have the chance to go to this Museum for free was a godsend. My kids LOVED it there! If we didn’t have that Military special we probably wouldn’t have gone, or maybe just gone once. We always met friends up there and the big kids always wanted to go explore the museum while my twins stayed mostly in ArtVille. This really helped both of them with their creativity, their ability to pretend play together more, which they rarely do at home. The days we didn’t meet friends up there we stayed in ArtVille for hours. They seem happiest when they’re able to pretend play, whether they’re serving me a meal in the Cafe, or in the Library, or caring for a wounded pet. Seeing their smiling faces, playing calmly for hours, truly knowing for those few hours they were not sad and missing Daddy truly meant the world to me.