About a month ago, the Birmingham Museum of Art opened its latest gallery, Bart’s ArtVenture, a hands-on learning exhibit for children. The two family galleries at Bart’s ArtVenture feature more than 15 stations that encourage discovery and creativity. The Sonat gallery, aimed at those 5 and under, has activities where children can play with light, make a mask, create a Folk Art Bart and explore shapes and colors. The Hess Gallery features ceramic pot painting, a giant flat screen for digital abstract painting, and a well-stocked library and game corner and more, all suitable for older children.

A friend and I took three children, ages 1-3, to the gallery for its grand opening May 19. The kids had a great time building sculptures out of Styrofoam cuts and pipe cleaners and jellyfish from domed plastic cup lids. The gallery has special events quite often: a book reading every third Saturday of the month and soap sculpting every Saturday and Sunday afternoon in June.

The entire concept is a great idea: A place where kids can play, have fun and learn — and of course, be loud — in what is normally such a calm environment. Just let them run themselves out, and then maybe the whole family can enjoy some Inuit art from Canada.

Bart’s ArtVenture

When: Open during normal museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Birmingham Museum of Art, second floor next to Oscar’s Cafe, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. (formerly 2000 8th Ave. N.), Birmingham

Cost: Free

Contact: 205-254-2565