May Day at the museum

Amelie Wirth put the finishing touches on a brightly colored crepe paper hat with more flowers than any other hat at the table.
“I’m the artist of the family,” the 8-year-old said, reaching for another sheet.
Amelie and her sister, Valentina, 11, joined the many families who came to the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art’s May Day celebration Sunday afternoon.
The museum’s fourth May Day celebration centered around a Mexican theme, complementing the current exhibit, “El Alma Mexicana: The Mexican Soul,” featuring works by Mexican artists.
After they had finished their crepe paper hats and flowers, museum education curator for grades K-12 Andrew Henley helped show children how to use Mexican-patterned stamps to create prints.
“Kids learn by creating,” Henley said. “They learn without realizing they’re learning. And the more engaging the activity, the better.”
Doris Darbouze, 14, stood entranced, watching dancers twirling their full skirts to Mexican music.
“I think it’s really cool,” she said. “I love the music, and I love learning about different cultures.”
Doris was joined at the event by her 9-year-old sister, Chloé, and their mother, May Dorsinville of Auburn.