As a child growing up in a home where your parents believed that you should be a well rounded individual meant that you needed to learn a little about everything. It was very common for my parents to call us over to observe them doing something around the house or to spend a family day exploring something new. As a parent I have worked hard to continue those traditions with my own children and expose them to different topics and experiences.

Throughout the years we have visited different museums some fun that allowed them to explore and interact. Then there were some that they thought they were being punished with bordum. Lets be honest sometimes staring at a picture can either leave you in awe, disgust you, leave you confused or be amazed. The motto for our family is to go in with an open mind, always let your imagination soar.

We recently had the opportunity to visit the Michelangelo traveling art exhibit ” Up Close” that traveled to New York with a debut inside the Oculus. The exhibit featured 34 life sized copies of the Renaissance painter’s frescoes from the Sistine Chapel in Rome. A gorgeous centerpiece of the show was the iconic painter’s replica of ” The Last Judgement.” The actual paining is painted over the altar wall of the Sistine Capel in Vatican City. This rare experience allows you to get a intimate view of each painting. If you have had the opportunity to visit Rome then this exhibit will allow you to study closely the paintings. If you have not had the opportunity to visit Rome yet like myself and my family. Then this experience will enlighten you and prepare you with insight before you visit Rome in the future. To be honest I have many friends that have traveled to Rome, the word is that with so many tourist you barely have a chance to actually study the paintings with such a massive crowd. This exhibit allows you to explore the paintings at your own pace.

There is something beautiful about the way Michelangelo created his paintings with his famous fading brushwork. Other must see paintings on displayed were the Prophet Jeremiah, Creation of Eve, David and Goliath, and the Sacrifice of Noah. The exhibit has left New York, is currently in Paramus, New Jersey. Then will travel to Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, and Annapolis. If you are in a city that has this exhibit coming soon, I suggest you find some time to visit and feed your soul with a bit of history and inspiration.

There are many benefits to exposing your children to history and visiting museums.

1. Inspires creativity.
2. Allows critical thinking as they explore with an open mind to things.
3. Encourages inspiration.
4. Fuels family bonding.
5. Lessons in history.