Artist Elizabeth Winslow looks at her sea turtle on the wall of the newly decorated Reading Room at the Nevada State Children's Museum. The Reading Room was created with funds donated by the Soroptomists and replaces the Egyptian room.
Denise Sins, director of the Children's Museum, is using her 30 years experience as an artist to help renovate the reading room and give kids an inexpensive hobby over the summer.
"Art is an essential part of everyone's lives," she explained. "It's really a necessary form of expression."
The reading room, traditionally decorated in Egyptian style, is being transformed into an undersea adventure room -- a change born of necessity.
"Khety's tomb was falling apart and the sand ruined the floor," Sins said. "We had the floor refinished in November and I wasn't about to put the sand back in there."
Instead, jellyfish and sea turtles adorn the walls and a toddler maze has been set up. Books appropriate for boys and girls will be set up on separate racks.
"It will hopefully be a little quiet spot," Sins said. "I think it looks wonderful."
Student volunteers from the high school and Ron Woods Family Resource Center painted and redecorated the room and it was refurnished with a $2,000 grant from the Soroptimists.
"It's a wonderful thing for them to give back to the community," Sins said.
Sins plans to put the finishing touches on before opening it up to the public.
The museum is also offering a Summer Youth Art program where children can paint, draw and create in a two-hour class, scheduled to coincide with the free bus transportation.
"It gives them something very educational and creative to do," Sins said.
IF YOU GO
What: Summer Youth Art program
Where: Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
Cost: $1 per person