Have you been to BAM yet? Also known as the Bellevue Arts Museum. It is what I call "the hidden gem". It is located right in downtown Bellevue next to the Bellevue Collection. Until recently I always saw it as a *modern* art museum and thought that no way was it going to be kid friendly. Boy, was I wrong. This museum focuses on contemporary art, craft and design and showcases local Northwest artists as well as their national and international contemporaries. What I didn't know was that they truly do want the community to get involve, learn and enjoy art, craft and design right down to the littlest pipsqueak! Which is very apparent when you attend one of their FREE family events.
Today, we went to the FREE Family Day hosted by BAM called "Family Day: Let's Get Real". As I believe this to be my third Family Day visit...I have to say that even though the other two were fantastic, today's event was by far the best! We went for just about two hours and enjoyed the installations, did four different arts and crafts projects and still only accomplished a third of what was available to do. As I waited in a very short line for the wooden top coloring station, I looked at this other mother with her two kids and said "This is pretty great...isn't it?" and she replied with a big smile..."This is Amazing!" So, on that note if you do get a chance to check out the hidden gem, BAM...then please do. You won't be disappointed!
I also have to say I would be remiss if I didn't point out a couple other special things about the museum. For instance, there is a sculpture garden located just outside on the terrace of the third floor and a "river", yes, real water with river rocks also located on the third floor. They have a few "Imagination Stations" designed specifically for kids on all three floors and as well as a weekly Saturday event called "Get Crafty Saturdays" which are just a $2 fee for materials per kiddo or free with admission.
Here are pictures from our outing today:
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Finished pieces...mine on the left and C's on the right.
(Except for the wooden bowl-that was given to me by one of the woodturners!) |
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| Team work! |
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| Beautiful plates drying. |
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| Instead of form following function this is craft following art. See the inspirational art to the right of the sign. |
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| Ready to "work" and color the newly made wooden top. |
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| Birds of a feather... |
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| Fortress building. |
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| Imagination Station. |
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| Community Chain. |
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| Imagination Station view 2. |
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| Woodturners making free wooden spinning tops for the kids. |
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| Music and hands-on fun! |
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| Print making. |
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| River viewing. |
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| Our finished plates. |
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| Community chain getting longer to go 3 floors! |
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| Plate designing. |
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| Another Imagination Station |
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| One of the friendly woodturners working hard. |
Again, we barely touched all of the activities available to us...so next time there is a Family Day, make sure to grab the kids and go! Or you can also take the kids on the free admission day, which is the 1st Thursday of the month, and check out the exhibits and have creative fun at the Imagination Stations! Whatever you do, don't miss this "hidden gem"!
For more info. on Bellevue Arts Museum go
here.
For more info. on kids and family events go
here.
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