Fine Arts Museum Bringing Students, Ancient Worlds Together
Mary Shedden / StateImpact Florida
St. Petersburg Museium of Fine Arts docent Tina Douglass shares the story behind an African elephant mask with sixth graders from Clearwater's Oak Grove Middle School.
It’s just a few dozen yards from the charter buses to the stately columns of the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts entrance.
Dozens of energetic 12- and 13-year-olds jump off the bus after a 25-minute ride from their Clearwater’s Oak Grove Middle School.
Volunteer docents scramble to sort out small groups by color, and hand out clipboards and pencils.
“Purple, nice straight line!” one docent yells from the top of the steps.
“Green group over here,” another barks.
“Guys heads up,” says another volunteer at the front door. “Do you have gum? You need to put it in the garbage can when we go in.”