It is my belief that art should be accessible to everyone and it is apparent that the people at the Denver Art Museum feel the same way. The Denver Art Museum shows the understanding of this in things like free admission for children ages 18 and under, hands-on activities for families, and audio tours tailored for children and adults.
Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection with some friends. I was amazed to hear that this collection was amassed by a husband and wife team. They began their collection in their home and it eventually led to the opening of a museum. Entrance to the exhibit is timed and because this is a special exhibit, there is a charge for admission. Tickets are $12 for members and $20 for nonmembers, $5 for children ages 6-18 and children under 6 are free.
When I walked in, I was stopped in my tracks as I saw the first few pieces of the exhibit. I have seen movies about the samurai but seeing the armor up close and personal is something else. The exhibit is set up so you get a 360 degree view of most of the pieces. Throughout the exhibit, you have the option to listen to an audio tour tailored for children and another for adults. I found the family audio tour highly entertaining and informative. As I listened to the audio, I enjoyed the stories and the questions that were asked of the listeners.
There are a number of suits of armor to view. Be sure to get an up close look so you can focus on the details. One suit of armor has tiny chain links that made us think of chain mail. The ornate helmets share the stories of the samurai who wore them. Did you know that the horses wore masks as well? The horse masks were just as ornate as the helmets. Each of these pieces on display tell the story of the samurai.
Just for Fun Family Center
When you are finished exploring the Samurai exhibit, kids will love visiting the Just for Fun Family Center where much thought and care was put into designing the extension activities. The Just for Fun Family Center is located in the Duncan Pavilion on level 2. Children can design their own garden by arranging rocks, shrubs, a pagoda and more. After viewing the art, your child can create art themselves by painting with water on Buddha Boards placed on a Japanese screen. They can try on handmade suits of armor and masks to see what it was like to layer on the different pieces of armor and then add their own samurai-inspired helmet, colored and created by the child!
At one point, I mentioned that one of the helmets reminded me of the sorting hat from Harry Potter. When I let them know that I was an elementary librarian, I was told that it was about making those connections.
That is what it is all about. Making connections with the art and the pieces you see.
Samurai will be on display at Denver Art Museum through June 5, 2016.
Thank you to the Denver Art Museum for providing admission to the Samurai exhibit to facilitate this review, opinions and adventures are mine alone.
Jennifer Close is a teacher librarian and travel blogger. In 2012, her family left the beaches of Pensacola, Florida for the mountains of Denver, Colorado. She likes to read, craft and look for adventures with her children and you can find her at Two Kids and a Map.
Author: Mile High Mamas
Karen
Wondering about age recommendations for this? I know my kids would enjoy the extra activities but am unsure about the actual collection?
Marcy
This is on our list. Glad I read this. Didn’t know there was an extra cost.
Jennifer
Karen – I found the family audio tour to be very entertaining and think that it would entertain any school aged children. Letting them plug in the numbers to run the audio will also keep the younger kids entertained! The exhibit has lots of things to look at and talk about while you wander so I think most age groups would find something interesting about it. You can move as quickly or as slowly as you would like through it as well.