SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
For kids that complain that there's nothing to do in Sioux City, a new project could help them fill the hours outside of the classroom. Work is underway on the Children's Museum of Siouxland, right now.
It's said that "many hands make light work. These little hands are helping put a fresh coat of paint on an old downtown building. The future home of the Children's Museum of Siouxland. On this day, dozens of kids, and their parents, helped paint a mural, which will make way for the museum. Kari Kellen, Children's Museum Executive Director said, "We think adding some family-friendly fun is really gonna make an impact to the downtown area, and a place for families to come and hang out, as well."
The mural, by Siouxland-native Irene Lopez, plays off the museums logo... turning gears, like the gears we envision turning in a child's head as they learn something new. Irene Lopez, ISU Design West intern said, "I decided to take a look at their logo, and I decided to elaborate on the gears. And, I decided to kind of make a flowing motion with the gears, so it looks like their moving, sort of playful. I decided to include some of their words.. like interaction, exploration and education."
The gears also symbolize the different parts of the community that will have to come together to make the museum a reality. Kari Kellen, Children's Museum Executive Director said, I really think there's a hunger for the Children's Museum in the community, right now."
But, the seed was planted eight years ago. Kari Kellen, Children's Museum Executive Director said, "It started with a group of really great moms who wanted something for their kids to do in town."
Now in the fundraising phase, Kellen says work on the museum could start next spring. And, it could open in 2014. Kari Kellen, Children's Museum Executive Director said, "So our goal for kids in Siouxland is to learn through play and to get a hands-on interaction to a lot of things from farm and ag, to how the river works. Wind exhibits. And, really simple things like grocery store shopping and other life skills within the museum setting."
Helping kids learn through play. Kari Kellen, Children's Museum Executive Director said, "It'll be a great place to come and play, and learn, at the same time."
