Family Fun Day at Two Twelve Arts Center: Part II

Editor's Note: Below is a story Steven Howard wrote after attending the Two Twelve Arts Center's Family Fun Day. Unfortunately, we had double coverage, as our intern, Randi Shaffer, was there, as well. We ran Randi's story on our website and in print and I thought I'd post Steve's story here so it wasn't a total waste of time. Enjoy!

The Two Twelve Arts Center in Saline held its ‘Carnival of Art’ Family Fun Day on Saturday, offering an abundance of art-related activities as well as many other forms of family entertainment.

Andrew and Deb Hamman, of Saline, brought their three children to the event after reading about all of the exciting things going on there.

Hamman said Tommy, 6, Sarah, 3, and Andrew, 1, participated in a number of the games and activities.

“We’ve done the water color, face painting, the raffle,” he said. “The kids love it.”

Art instructor Cindy Baxter was teaching children and adults how to make enormous bubbles using a special bubble-blowing device.

As she instructed Carter Baxter, 6, of Saline, Harris said good bubbles come from a good bubble mix.

“It’s all up to the bubble solution,” she said, suggesting she tried several different mixtures and percentages before arriving at an agreeable formula.

Another entertaining moment came when Pat Collins and Leo Babcock performed their classic comedy routine.

Babcock said he thoroughly enjoys enacting segments, such as the “Who’s on First” bit they staged on Saturday.

“I’ve always been kind of a sing and dance man by night,” he said,” architect by day.”

Babcock also regularly appears with the Dexter Community Players.

Collins, who can be seen with the Saline Area Players, said the pair’s act came naturally.

“We just started doing it,” said the 30 year Saline resident.

Babcock said the pair began practicing the classic comedy routine about three years ago.

Also at the event was Lillian Collins, who was collecting money for the organization ‘Milk Money for Mali.’

Collins said she decided she needed to do something about the pervasive child homelessness problem in the country after traveling there with university colleagues.

“I went to Mali on a study abroad program through Michigan State University,” she said. “It’s pretty hard not to notice the problem of childhood homelessness there.”

MMFM collects money to be sent to the impoverished nation, which goes toward the most vital staples such as milk.

“We’ve sent almost $1,000,” Collins said, indicating the funds raised are transported directly by an MSU faculty member.

Once the school where many homeless children attend received the most recent money, administrators were immediately able to buy a large supply of milk, something they had run out of recently.

“She went out and bought 14 boxes of 45 bottles of milk,” Collins said.

As with the theme of the day, Collins also offered a booth with traditional Malian textile painting.

She also sold handmade t-shirts with the organizations logo for $15.

Also on display on Saturday, were many pieces by local artist Robert Kinsey.

Gaines Collins said Kinsey first displayed his work at Two Twelve as part of a collaborative teen exhibit, but his work made him stand out from the crowd.

“He was just exceptional,” she said.
Kinsey’s collection is called ‘Rust’ and will be available for viewing at the center until June 30.

The Two Twelve Art Center is located at 212 W. Michigan Ave. in Saline.