Yesterday, it was French themed stART day at the Art Gallery SA. It's my second time volunteering there and I had a great time! The stART day is a program that aims to cultivate an interest and love for art at a young age. 5-10 year olds are invited to come with their parents/guardians and enjoy all the activities that put on for them for free.

It was less hectic than last stART day and I spent my time on the meet and greet desk instead of the art and craft room (which got very chaotic last time!). I really enjoy seeing the parents/guardians/grandparents come in with their little kids. Not being a parent myself, it is actually very interesting to see all the different ways of parenting. Those who leave their kids to come up and ask questions etc while they stand back in the background; those mums who do ALL the talking and the dad that just stands in the background; those who get make a big point of the fact that the group of kids standing there are not ALL theirs; those who are very fussy about their child's artwork and end up doing it themselves to make it 'better'. The parent that thinks their child is going to be a famous artist and proceeds to tell everyone; and the list goes on. It's fascinating to see all the varying ways a parent/guardian shows their love for the child. Then there is the super friendly kid, the very painfully shy kid, the ones that make sure they get a goodie bag for their sister or brother who isn't here as well, the tiny kids that are not really the stART programs age group but really want to get involved... I love seeing people and families from all different walks of life.

There was a piano accordian player, a mime artist and a juggler (who did a workshop later). I noticed a father dancing with his little girl in front of the accordian player and they were having so much fun, then the younger son joined in as well. It's gorgeous to see such simple but wonderful moments.

Those who came to the gallery with their kids but didn't know this kids program was on, were pleasantly surprised. I especially liked telling people that everything was free, including the goodie bag, people are very delighted and I love being the bearer of that news :) Free stuff in this day and age?!! yay!

Finally, I craved croissants the whole time I was working there. All this talk of all things french made me very hungry. I wanted to visit france again, to eat all their yummy foods, speak very broken french and picnic by the side of an old ruined castle!

Carcasonne citadel at night

The café in Arles made famous in Van Gogh's painting. Originally the wall wasn't yellow but the owners have since painted the hotel's wall to match the famous painting :)