The new renovation includes the gallery's defining feature, a slowly arcing east wall. The gallery, which takes up most of the museum's interior, already has its first exhibit on the walls. Art is hung low enough for children to see it easily, and books where the art was published are on display next to the pieces. In addition to showing art, educational programs are designed for each exhibit, designed to spark a child's imagination. They take these ideas and have art activities for students when they tour.
Children interpret in their own manner.
For example, during an exhibit of illustrations by Diane Stanley, activities for children included writing a biography because Stanley's work often appears in biographies. For the Kevin Henkes exhibit, children were encouraged to make masks because a character in one of Henkes' books likes disguises. Snyder said children's activities will change each Saturday, even if an exhibit stays for several months. As McCaleb looked around the finished gallery last week, he thought about the seven years of work that went into the project. It's been the dream for so many people for so many years.