Because of Dali's sense of whimsy and fun, a visit to the museum can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the entire family. His holograms, optical illusions, and strange dreamlike canvases can engage a child's attention like few other artists can.
It is important to remember, however, that Dali was painting in an artistic tradition and, as such, you and your child may encounter nude or partially-clothed figures. It is also important to know that, for a portion of his career as a Surrealist, Dali attempted to shock his viewers out of their day-to-day complacency. Several of his paintings from these years contain explicit or grotesque subject matter.
A few objectionable paintings don't necessarily have to get in the way of an otherwise rewarding experience, however. We invite everyone to encounter and enjoy Dali's artwork, and a little preparation can go a long way towards making your child's visit a memorable one.
Please take a moment to look over the following suggestions, and feel free to preview some of Dali's paintings online in The Collection. If you have any questions, or if there is anything we can do to make you visit more enjoyable, please let us know.
Before Your Visit
Talk with your children about what they'll see (optical illusions, holograms, melting clocks, giant nine-foot paintings, etc.) when they come to the Museum, or visit the Museum's web site to see pictures of Dali and to preview his paintings.
Discover what intrigues your children. We encourage teachers to experiment with teaching Dali because a Museum visit can incorporate so many subjects. If you look, there's something for everyone!
Visit our online store and pick up "Getting the Know the World's Greatest Artists: Salvador Dali". Both will intrigue you and your children. The Create Your Own Modern Art Masterpieces coloring book is also a fun and educational pre-visit activity.
Discuss the no-touch rule. The Museum features original paintings and sculptures, and the dirt and natural oils from a person's hands can damage the artwork.
During Your Visit
Be flexible and encourage your children to enjoy the museum at their own pace. By being flexible, you'll not only learn about Dali, but about your child as well. Also, visit for child-sized periods of time; a meaningful experience with a few paintings is more valuable than a soon-forgotten grand tour.
Talk about what you're seeing, and discuss what interests you and your child. Use the museum labels as discussion prompts, and relate what you see to what your child already knows.
Play a game. Sometimes the Information Desk has family discovery guides for children and parents to complete in the galleries. In the event that this isn't the case with the current exhibition, play "I Spy," or match up postcards from the museum shop with the original paintings. Write a story about what's going on in a painting, or ask your child to find paintings with his or her favorite colors in them.
Amenities: The Information Desk can provide you with information about shopping, beaches, restaurants and other St. Petersburg attractions. Restrooms and drinking fountains are located in front of, and behind, the main galleries. Restrooms in the rear are equipped with changing tables.
Shop for books, posters, toys, postcards and other souvenirs that will remind your child of the day's visit, or pick up a store catalog for later reading and conversation.
After the Visit
Keep an eye out for opportunities to continue learning, and look for ways to connect your child's museum visit with his or her daily life.
Ask your child to talk to friends and relatives about the museum. What might they like? Why should they visit?
Encourage your child to start a collection at home.
Remember the visit and discuss what works of art at home are similar to, or different from, what you saw at the museum.
Write down questions to answer on future visits.
Enroll in an art class or a museum workshop.
Call the museum to schedule a museum docent to visit your child's school, or suggest that the class take a field trip to the museum.
