It is not often that I get asked to help with a museum project.  So I felt a little out of my league when I was found out about this.  But my willingness to help promote my love of the ocean, and to do what I can to get kids turned on to the underwater world won over. 

            The Discovery Museum is designed for kids to be an interactive self guided discovery environment. Their theme for the next few months is the oceans. And naturally as scuba divers we might know a little about that. But how to build an imaginary ocean is a different story. What they wanted was an area that kids could try on snorkeling gear and pretend they are in the ocean. 

            Let me try to describe what we did.  As you walk into the area you see what appears to be water starting at a pier, with a girl fishing from it, her bait if it has survived is a gummy worm.  The water is vinyl that has different colors of markers with designs that are suppose to look like the surface of the water.  Look closer and you may find the names of some of the artists and other hidden messages. Suspended in the water column are different types of fish and pelagics. The pilings various corals,  sponges, and mussels attached and look like they have been in the water for a while.

            I have to say that doing this project was harder than I imagined. If I had not have the help of others with real artistic skills, then I would not be telling you about this project.  Sarah Moeller who has hidden talents of a painter and also a marine biologist knew just what to do.  Her help in purchasing materials and painting one mural entirely and a part of another mural made the underwater scenes look awesome. I can’t forget the help of soon to be diver, Gini Loher, who came in at the last hour and did what had to be done on the second mural so that  the kids felt that they are underwater.

            The other partner in crime was none other than Eric Horton.  He shouldn’t have told me that he had once worked at a Museum. Eric had great ideas and provided most all of the heavy tot it, build it and otherwise bring it together work.  He even cut waves out with a table saw!!!  I will not lie to you, as the days got longer and time was getting short that is when some crazy things happen.

            Needless to say I hope the kids have as much fun. .

I can’t close this article without mentioning the help of Marlene Hopkins who always has a willing spirit. She shows up when it looks like you will never be done and helped with the finishing touches.

We all worked much harder than planned, and longer than we imagined. But when the shop receives an email from a proud parent who has his daughter’s party there and you see a  picture of her having fun at the exhibit with her friends it is worth the effort.  I just hope that they learn something and had as much fun as we did.

Editor: Kierstin Casteel had a great time!  See picture at right.