A Video Link With Art

Some people think anything that involves TV watching is the opposite of art. Holly Woolson and Lucinda Naboa, museum educators at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, have their own rather upbeat view on this supposed conflict.

Operating on the theory, “If you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em,” a few years ago they took to using a video screen at the museum to expand the artistic consciousness of kids.

“We were thinking of it as a way for kids to connect to art through a medium they’re familiar with--animation for instance,” explained Woolson. “It enables them to look more carefully [at art] and get to thinking that art is cool.”

Using a video screen solved some other problems as well, said Woolson. For one, children can be intimidated by museums, so video material can be used as a bridge to making art accessible, she said. “For instance, when we talk about our museum building, we refer to the recent ‘Hercules’ [movie] release to explain what neoclassical style is.”

Naboa now conducts a regular “family video series” at the museum and maintains a collection of art-related videos for museum members to check out and show their kids at home. On Saturday, a new season of screenings begins with an animated production, narrated by Oscar-winner Geena Davis, titled “Princess Scargo and the Birthday Pumpkin.”

The designation “family video” sometimes can mean screen material that is devoid of excitement and even talks down to viewers. But the museum’s series, though suitable for kids 5 and older, includes nothing of the “Barney” variety.

Nor, by the way, is Saturday’s show a Halloween production that has arrived a fortnight late. It’s about a Native American girl who gives up a precious gift to help her people.

Woolson and Naboa have scheduled a string of intriguing stories--each conveyed via unusually high-quality animation and blessed with musical scores by fine musicians. The Chieftains, for instance did the music for the video to be shown Dec. 6 at the museum. It’s titled “The Tailor of Gloucester,” based on the Beatrix Potter story and is narrated by Meryl Streep.

These programs last an hour. The videos run 30 minutes and are followed by a hands-on art workshop related to its content. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

“We chose these videos because they give positive messages and help children and their families directly or indirectly relate art and artistic expression to their lives,” Woolson said.

Come spring, the series carries on with “Linnea in Monet’s Garden,” in which the animation reflects the strong influence of the great French impressionist. (Kids and their parents, by the way, can learn about the use of that artistic style in this state when the museum begins its “Early California Impressionists” exhibit Dec. 4. The artworks are part of a private collection on national tour, and will be in Oxnard until Feb. 22.)

Videos from the museum’s collection, which includes those being screened in the family series, can be borrowed at no charge by any member of the museum--memberships are $35 per family for a year.

Here’s a sampling of those available: “King Midas and the Golden Touch,” narrated by Michael Caine with music by jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis and cellist Yo-Yo Ma; “The Tiger and the Brahmin,” narrated by Ben Kingsley with music by Ravi Shankar; “Peachboy,” narrated by Sigourney Weaver with music by Ryuchi Sakamoto; and “The Fool,” narrated (in many voices) by Robin Williams with music by the Klezmer Conservatory Band.

BE THERE

Family Video Series, screenings at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St., Oxnard. Season begins with “Princess Scargo and the Birthday Pumpkin” and related hands-on art workshop, Saturday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $1 per child, $3 per adult, reservations required. Call (805) 385-8171.