The art of imagination: What children see that adults miss at the Museum of Make Believe
By DIANNE RUSSELL
From Stu News Arts: Celebrating the people, performances and places that make Southern California’s arts community extraordinary. More at www.stunewsarts.com.
Walk through the doors of the Museum of Make Believe in Laguna Beach and you may find yourself transported to a world where fairies have stories to tell, dragons hatch from golden eggs and even an ice cream parlor can hold an entire adventure.
But look at the museum through a child’s eyes and the magic becomes even bigger. Here, tiny details become discoveries, imagination takes the lead, and the question isn’t whether something could possibly be real – it’s whether, for a little while, it might be.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Cat Stardust welcomes visitors of all ages
Husband-and-wife co-founders Geoff and Amy Mitchell take make-believe very seriously, and it’s reflected in each one of their bewitching vignettes.
The museum is designed to encourage children to touch, explore, pretend and create their own stories, an experience that has evolved since the museum opened. “We originally didn’t expect to have quite so many children visiting, so we’ve continued to shape the museum based on what we’ve learned from them.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Museum of Make Believe
(L-R) Jasper Irvin, Amy Mitchell, Geoff Mitchell, Kelsey Irvin (member of the board of directors and part of the creative team) and Druzy Irvin at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 25, 2024
That’s why they’ve added so many details at lower heights and created a variety of treasure hunts designed for different ages and abilities. Some are simple enough for children who aren’t reading yet, while others are more challenging for older kids. They even have a question on one of the treasure hunts that asks children to create their own story.
“We want that child to notice the feeling of entering another world first – a place where everything feels magical, alive and possible,” the Mitchells said. “We want them to look around and wonder, ‘Is this real?’ because they’re seeing things they normally wouldn’t see in the real world.”
The couple hopes children feel as though they are stepping directly into their imaginations, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. “Realistically, a lot of little ones first notice our treasure box (all lit up with sparkling jewels) and that makes them super excited to solve the treasure map and get prizes from the chest,” the Mitchells said.
“I’d say the space as a whole completely invites them in,” Kelsey said. The museum has many individual pieces of art, but each contributes to the larger picture. “Noticing the space as a whole and then taking themselves on a journey of absorbing each piece that catches their eye is a great way to experience the museum.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
The Storybook Forest Path beckons children to walk into the forest
Does make-believe have a different meaning for adults?
“That’s a tough one, because I’m not sure children are as quick to separate make-believe from reality as adults are,” the Mitchells said. “There’s something wonderful about that innocence – the ability to simply accept that a magical world might be real, at least for a little while.”
Click open story button to continue reading…
Kelsey added, “They become part of a world where anything is possible. It’s an invitation to step into a realm of creativity where the possibilities are endless.”
The museum has a baby dragon hatching from a golden shell, which children often have to point out to their parents. “I love watching that happen because it reminds us that children see the world differently – they notice the little bits of magic that adults might walk right past,” Amy said.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
The Mushrooms and Flowers of “Wildflower.” One of Kelsey’s favorite words to hear her kids say is “Pretend…” – a sign that they’re playing in a realm of make-believe
“The amount of digital content children have access to today has certainly made unstructured imagination a little harder,” Amy said.
“I’m afraid that many children don’t have enough, or could certainly use more,” Kelsey said. “I think it’s much harder today with all the distractions with technology and devices. The less they are on a screen the more opportunities they have for unstructured imagination and make-believe.”
The Mitchells echoed that concern. “I think children need more spaces where they can step away from digital distractions and simply use their minds and imaginations.” Their hope is that the Museum of Make Believe can provide that – a place where people can slow down, be curious, and let their imaginations take over for a while.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
“Daydream Lagoon” – details throughout the museum come together to make its tiny world feel like a magical portal, a place where children can let their imaginations take over
There is one exhibit – or experience – that seems to capture children’s imaginations again and again.
The Dream Parlor is a favorite among young visitors. It’s a miniature, one-seventh-scale ice cream parlor that tells the story of Flora, a misfit with fiery red hair who dreams of something magical appearing in her dusty desert town.
Children are especially drawn to the tiny details. They love looking at the ice cream and imagining that they’re the ones about to sit down and enjoy the sundae waiting for them on the table. “There’s something wonderful about watching a child become completely absorbed in that little world and, for a moment, believe they could actually step inside the story,” the Mitchells said.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
“Ivella of the Daydream Lagoon” – the Mitchells say one of the most rewarding parts of the museum is giving children a little spark of an idea and then seeing where their own imaginations take them
Their newest installation, Ivella of the Daydream Lagoon, came about as a team project. “We’ve been so fortunate to have incredibly talented artists among our docents, and several of them had been wanting to collaborate with Geoff, our creative director, on a creation,” Amy said. “They finally all came together and created a magical sandcastle with the fairy Ivella. Of course, once she was installed, they realized she needed her own original fairy tale to complete the project.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
“Admiral Sky’s Water Closet” is in the museum’s bathroom
Geoff also recently created an installation in Admiral Sky’s Water Closet – the museum’s bathroom. It may seem a little crazy to put art in a bathroom, but Amy admitted they are a little bit crazy. “We want to make use of every bit of space we have. We’ve also added an interactive Omen Machine that reveals your fate through the drop of a glowing orb.”
Kelsey is working on some new mixed-media sculptures, and Geoff is working on bringing their owl, Admiral Sky, to life. One of the most exciting things about the museum is that the world is always growing and changing, so there is always another bit of magic waiting to be discovered.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Mary Hurlbut
“Spright the Spider” was created by Amy when she was in third grade. It became a keepsake and found a home when the Mitchells were decorating the museum for Halloween. It now has a story and is one of the mascots of the Tree of Make Believe
With all the beguiling creatures and stories, what would happen if the Museum of Make Believe came to life at night?
“We were actually just talking about a Night at the Museum scenario with a guest,” the Mitchells said. “I imagine the first thing that would happen is that our cat from Stardust would try to take over. He’d want to keep everyone orderly, straighten things up and clean up any messes the others made, the whole time swinging his cane in frustration.
“After that, every character would head straight to the Dream Parlor for ice cream. Once they had their treats, they’d probably go get golden eggs from our machine. And, of course, I imagine they might eventually try to find a secret little spot to carve their names into our Tree of Make Believe.”
It sounds like a pretty lively night.
“Things might look a little different the next morning, but I’d imagine it would be perfectly presentable. It feels fitting that they’d have the right to redecorate a bit,” Kelsey said.
The Museum of Make Believe is located at 1590 S. Coast Highway, Suite 5, Laguna Beach.
For more information email info@museumofmakebelieve.org or visit www.museumofmakebelieve.org/.
From Stu News Arts: Celebrating the people, performances and places that make Southern California’s arts community extraordinary. More at www.stunewsarts.com.
