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NEWSLETTER

Membership

Winter 2011

Dawn stars ÂŠ Kah Kit Yoong (Australia)

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Lead Sponsor

Exhibition co-owned by

Celebrate the Holidays with Us Puffing on a Pooter, High in the Mountains of BC

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Make the most of your museum

A message from our CEO The holiday season is upon us again and this year we have the start of a wonderful new tradition at the Royal BC Museum. As usual, Helmcken House will open for a Victorian Christmas and Old Town will be decorated in the best finery of the season but this December, Old Town will welcome a very special guest. Father Christmas will stop by and will be available for a visit and photos starting December 10. Also new this year, our Wonder Sundays are a thrilling way for the community to connect with the Royal BC Museum and the stories of BC. Held on the last Sunday afternoon of every month, Wonder Sunday is a familyfriendly event that brings visitors together with our experts to explore our collections in unique ways. Just ask the little people who came out to learn about what Hallowe’en looked like 100 years ago and trick-or-treated their way through Old Town!

Winter 2011 1 FEATURES

Celebrate the Holidays with the Royal BC Museum 2 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 3 Puffing on a pooter, high in the mountains of BC 3 Sent Packing: The Aliens on Tour 4 Home Child Canada Memorial Quilt 4 Make an Investment in Your Museum 6 WHAT’S ON

Coming events & exhibitions 7 PROFILES

Staff Profile: Megan Anderson 8 Donor Profile: Audrey Johnson 9 Partner Profile: Truffles Catering MANAGING EDITOR

Jennifer Vanderzee Membership and Marketing Administrator MEMBERSHIP EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Angela Williams, Director of Business and Operational Services

Our annual Artifact or Artifiction fundraising event on October 6 was another success with a full house, intriguing mysteries presented by our staff and wonderful food. The event raised $82,000 toward our annual campaign; thank you to those who attended.

Erika Stenson, Marketing and Sales Manager

The success of Artifact or Artifiction is a strong start toward this year’s goal of raising $200,000 in support of the collections, research, and programs of the Royal BC Museum. Please consider supporting us – we’re building toward our vision for the future!

Jenny McCleery, Graphic Design

Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2012.

David Alexander, Communications Manager Sue Stackhouse, Communications Specialist Gerry Truscott, Publisher PHOTOGRAPHY

Carlo Mocellin, Andrew Niemann WHAT’S INSIGHT is an electronic newsletter released four times a year by the Royal BC Museum Membership Department: March, June, September and December. In the interest of keeping our administrative costs low — and our carbon footprint small — this print version is provided to members without computer access only.

Pauline Rafferty CEO, Royal BC Museum

One more way to go green

Ask for our email copy instead, please contact: Jennifer Vanderzee Membership and Marketing Administrator 250-387-3287 membership@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

WHAT’S INSIGHT

Winter 2011

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

FEATURE CURATOR’S CORNER

Celebrate the Holidays with Us Christmas in Old Town: The sights and sounds of Christmas long ago. Marvel at the 4.5 metre Christmas tree, visit the cobblestone streets laced with festive garlands, and see the shops decked with seasonal finery. November 18, 2011 – January 8, 2012 10 am – 5 pm Free with admission or membership.

Father Christmas Comes to the Royal BC Museum Can you imagine a more magical place to visit with Father Christmas than the decorated streets of the museum’s Old Town? Share holiday wishes and have your photo taken to preserve the special moment. December 10 – 24, Thursday – Monday 11:30 am – 4:30 pm Free with admission or membership. Extra fee for photos.

Helmcken House Old-Fashioned Christmas Helmcken House comes alive with the spirit of an oldfashioned Christmas in Victoria. Discover Christmas traditions of early Victorians through activities and crafts. December 17 – 31, 12 – 4 pm Free with admission or membership, or by donation.

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 1 WHAT’S INSIGHT Fall 2011

Winter 2011 www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca WHAT’S INSIGHT 1

FEATURE

Wildlife Photographer of the Year December 16, 2011 to April 9, 2012

he wonders of nature like you’ve never seen them: through the lenses of prize-winning photographers. This exhibition from London’s Natural History Museum showcases more than 100 photographs in 18 categories, chosen from thousands of international entries. An inspirational, astonishing, and often humourous look at the natural world. Suitable for all ages.

Preview Event Thursday December 15, 2011 10:00 am, temporary exhibition gallery By invitation only, watch for yours and don’t forget to RSVP! Space is limited.

On the tracks of a coyote © Martin Cooper (Canada)

Dawn stars © Kah Kit Yoong (Australia)

Dawn stars

On the tracks of a coyote

Highly Commended Kah Kit Yoong (Australia)

Highly Commended Martin Cooper (Canada)

‘Of the many beaches I have photographed in the world,’ says Kah Kit, ‘this one is my absolute favourite.’ He had gone to Paparoa National Park, on New Zealand’s South Island, with a particular composition in mind, drawn to the multicoloured rocks and stacks that make the coast so distinctive and hoping to photograph them lit up at dawn. But the blazing sunrise he had envisaged didn’t happen. Instead, while exploring the beach as the tide went out, he found another source of colour. Set against the blue of the early morning light, the reef starfish almost glowed. ‘A long exposure captured the swirl of an eddy in the rock pool, suggesting some primordial world from which these strange creatures had emerged.’

This stretch of railway track in Burnaby, British Columbia, is Martin’s favourite spot for photographing local wildlife. And autumn, with its beautiful, mellow light, is his favourite season to be there. One October dawn, while Martin was sitting on the embankment waiting for a beaver to reappear from a culvert, a coyote came out of the undergrowth a short distance down the track and started sniffing around for signs of rodents. ‘At that moment, I knew the backlit shot I wanted,’ says Martin. Slowly moving onto the track, he lay down on the ballast and waited, pressing the shutter as the coyote turned its head to look up at the sky. Lead Sponsor

WHAT’S INSIGHT

Winter 2011

Exhibition co-owned by

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

FEATURE

laudia Copley, Manager of the Entomology Collection at the Royal BC Museum, was recently puffing on her pooter in the remote mountain ridges of the Rossland range.

What is a pooter you ask? It is a rubber tube attached to a plexiglass straw. The pooter user inhales spiders with the straw – a piece of mesh prevents it from being swallowed – and it’s then “pooted” into a vial of alcohol for preservation. Claudia used the pooter as she hunted high-altitude spiders like Microhexura and Cybaeus with her husband, biologist Darren Copley, and also with one of Canada’s foremost arachnologists, Robb Bennett. Their biggest reward on this trip was a Coreorgonal bicornis, a little spider with horns like a rhinoceros, found on Granite Mountain. It’s a rarity, and this find is only Canada’s third, with the first being collected in 1923 near Terrace. One spider on their most-wanted list is tiny, but moves quickly. Three years ago in the Flathead area, Claudia and Darren caught the first specimen known to science. The fun part still remains, choosing a name for little “greased lightning”. In the meantime, the hunt for additional specimens continues.

CURATOR’S CORNER

Puffing on a pooter, high in the mountains of BC

These mountain peaks are much like islands, small spider populations establish themselves and only rarely get transported to new locations. Many high altitude spiders go aerial on a thread of silk to travel; others will have crawled up the slopes as the climate warmed following the last ice age. Climate change is one reason why it’s important to pay attention to these spiders. It’s all useful information in the campaign for habitat conservation. Abridged from an article by Andrew Bennett in the Rossland Telegraph. Photo by Andrew Bennett.

Sent Packing: The Aliens on Tour

liens aren’t just big, green monsters from outer space, they’re also plants, animals or microorganisms that live right here in BC – perhaps in your community, your neighbourhood or even your backyard.

As part of this travelling exhibition, we’ve developed an exclusive website and iPhone application. All three components will work together to connect scientists and researchers with people on the ground.

Penticton Museum & Archives, Penticton August – November, 2012

The Aliens Among Us exhibition is now on tour, traveling throughout BC over a two-year period. Royal BC Museum curators will also host related community events in each region. Sponsored by BC Hydro and supported by recent fundraising, Aliens Among Us explains how species arrived, what individuals can do to protect their communities, and how each species fits – or doesn’t fit – with its environment.

So when you’re out and about in BC’s backyard, look for the exhibition in these communities:

Richmond Nature Park, Richmond March – June, 2013

Okanagan Heritage Museum, Kelowna November 19, 2011 – February 5, 2012

Touchstones Nelson: Nelson Museum of Art & History, Nelson November, 2012 – February, 2013

Fraser River Discovery Centre June – December, 2013

The Exploration Place, Prince George February – May, 2012 Kitimat Museum & Archives, Kitimat May – August, 2012 2012 and 2013 dates should be confirmed with the host museums.

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 3 WHAT’S INSIGHT Fall 2011

WHAT’SINSIGHT INSIGHT 33 Winter WHAT’S SPRING2011 2011www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

FEATURE

Home Child Canada Memorial Quilt

ome Children were orphans, or those from very poor families, who were shipped from Britain to several countries – including Canada – in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The program was designed to give children a chance at a new life and to provide help to farmers and land owners. The British Home Children’s website (freepages.genealogy. rootsweb.ancestry.com/~britishhomechildren/) has links to roughly 57,000 records of these Home Children, some now ‘claimed’ by their descendants, but many yet to be claimed. It includes each child’s name, birthdate, date sent overseas and ship name. The memorial quilt, currently on display in the museum’s third floor foyer, honours several of these children. It is comprised of 56 photo squares and measures 2.28 x 2.54 metres (90 x 100

inches). An accompanying Memorial Quilt Book tells the story for each square – each child. The children on the quilt were sent to Canada between 1871 and 1948. On December 7th, 2009, Member of Parliament Phil McColeman, Brant County, Ontario, presented the motion to designate 2010 as the Year of the British Home Child in Canada – a motion which was unanimously passed by Canada’s Parliament. McColeman is a descendant who is also honouring his uncle, Kenneth Bickerton, on the quilt. Quilt Designed & Prepared by: Gail Diane Collins, St Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Sewn by: Sylvia VanGeest, ‘Seams Like Yesterday’, Grimsby, Ontario. Quilted by: Carol Cunningham, ‘The Quilt Batt’, Beamsville, Ontario.

Royal BC Museum Reveals New Species! They’re everywhere – and we’re looking for even more of them. The affable Philanthrodon attends our events, visits the museum and archives with friends, and supports our fundraising goals by making small, medium or large donations. We welcome Philanthrodons with open arms: this is one species we’ll never see too much of in British Columbia! Want to know more? Head to www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca and click on “donate” at the top of the page or head directly here: www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/support/president. Settle in to enjoy a short video that’ll introduce you to this treasured species.

WHAT’S INSIGHT

Winter 2011

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

FEATURE

is year’s Artifact

Lisa and Pat at th

or Artifiction

Moore Love … From Your Museum! Make an Investment in Your Museum.

ur recent Artifact or Artifiction event kicked off our annual campaign with style – and a whole lot of fun. Playing to a packed-to-the-rafters house, Artifact or Artifiction delighted and intrigued audiences, provided our supporters with a unique opportunity to talk to our talented staff and curators, and raised $82,000 toward our annual campaign. The success of Artifact or Artifiction is a strong start toward this year’s goal of raising $200,000 in support of the collections, research, and programs of the Royal BC Museum. Spread the word: we’re building toward our vision for the future! The Royal BC Museum’s annual campaign supports and develops our public program offerings, our exhibitions, our research and our collections. Through donations we’re able to offer exciting things like our popular Wonder Sundays and exhibitions like our upcoming Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries (opening May 17). This year, the funds we raise – indeed, that we are required as a Crown corporation to raise – will go toward our extensive DNA research, acquiring Asian artifacts to round out our collection, and keeping up on the latest advancements in preservation techniques. Every dollar we receive goes toward ensuring we are able to continue to interpret, enlighten and deepen our understanding of the stories of BC’s culture and environment. Every dollar means you’re investing in one of the world’s top museum and archives experiences, right here at home. Every dollar means you believe in experiences that foster creativity, engage interest and stimulate a lifelong interest in history, science, culture and the arts. Make this the year to invest in your museum.

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 5 WHAT’S INSIGHT Fall 2011

Early in their relationship, Prince George couple Pat Moore and Lisa Montgomery discovered a number of common interests, including a shared love for Royal BC Museum exhibitions, both having travelled to Victoria to see Eternal Egypt. So it was only fitting that in searching for the ideal date-night activity, Pat decided to take Lisa back to Victoria for the museum’s 2010 fundraising gala, Artifact or Artifiction. According to Lisa, it was a decision that cemented her love for Pat. The couple returned from the event and set about making wedding plans. At their September wedding, Lisa gave Pat a photograph taken of them on that special date and as part of their honeymoon, the couple decided to return to Victoria for this year’s Artifact or Artifiction gala. “We could not imagine a better way to celebrate our marriage,” said Lisa. “The museum brought us together and it will always be a special place for us.”

Save the date! Please join us for next year’s Artifact or Artifiction on Thursday, October 4, 2012

WHAT’SINSIGHT INSIGHT 5 5 Winter WHAT’S SPRING2011 2011www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

WHAT’S ON There’s always something happening. Check our home page and newly designed What’s On calendar at www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or pick up our program guide, available in print or online.

NEW! Family Guide

Pick up our new Family Guide on your next visit. Available at the information desk or box-office.

Look inside for fun activities!

HOLIDAY HOURS We will be closed on December 25, 2011 and January 1, 2012. WINTER HOURS: Royal BC Museum open daily from 10 am to 5 pm

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Christmas in Old Town November 18, 2011 – January 8, 2012 10am – 5pm Free with admission or membership

Helmcken House Old-Fashioned Christmas Discover the Christmas traditions of early Victorians through activities and crafts. December 17 – 31 12 – 4 pm Free with admission or membership, or by donation BC Archives b-07233

WONDER SUNDAY Picture Perfect Have you ever wondered how to make a pinhole camera? January 29 12:30 – 1 pm, Kids’ Club member activitiy 1 – 3 pm, Everyone welcome First Peoples Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a Pit House? February 26 12:30 – 1 pm, Kids’ Club member activitiy 1 – 3 pm, Everyone welcome Free with admission or membership.

BACK STAGE PASS TOURS Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to create our amazing exhibits and galleries? These optional tours take you behind the scenes into our collection areas. Third Wednesday and last Saturday of each month. Free with admission. Space is limited. Sameday reservation on-site up to one hour before each tour.

DOCENTS IN THE GALLERIES

WHAT’S INSIGHT

Winter 2011

Bring the love (or loves) of your life for an after dark social event at the RBCM. Romantic candlelight tours, light snacks and beverages. February 14 7 – 10 pm $20 per person. Early registration and 10% discount for members. Tickets available online or at the box office.

FEATURE EXHIBITION Wildlife Photographer of the Year December 16, 2011 – April 9, 2012

GALLERY TOURS Several snapshot and feature-length tours each day including Museum Highlights, Modern History, Natural History and First Peoples Gallery.

Bring your lunch and enjoy a free presentation. Noon to 1pm, Newcombe Conference Hall

DATE NIGHT @ THE MUSEUM

Free with admission

LIVE @ LUNCH

The Royal BC Museum is your museum. This week of admission by donation is our gift to you. January 2 – 9

Travels in Northern India Ronald Greene, Friends of the BC Archives Society March 7 Join veteran traveler Ronald as he guides us through northern India.

Want to know more about the Ocean Station, bears, mammoths, conservation, tidal pools or the Gold Rush? Check out the hands-on activities throughout the museum led by our knowledgeable docents.

www.calendar.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

ADMISSION BY DONATION WEEK

Extreme Home Makeover…Mexico Edition Graham Frick, Exhibits Journeyman, RBCM February 1 Take a journey to Vicente Guerrero on Mexico’s west coast and hear about Graham’s adventures building houses for its people.

Father Christmas December 10 – 24 11:30 – 4:30, Thursday to Monday. Free with admission or membership. Extra fee for photos

Coming events & exhibitions

The British Home Child Quilt Patricia Skidmore, Fairbridge Canada Association January 4 Join Patricia as she takes us on her mother’s journey as one of the thousands of British Home Children sent to Canada between 1833 and 1948.

Exhibition co-owned by

Lead Sponsor

IMAX FEATURES NOW PLAYING: Sea Rex: Journey to Prehistoric World Beavers Born to be Wild The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest OPENING IN DECEMBER: Puss in Boots: The IMAX Experience Polar Express: The IMAX Experience

For opening and closing times please visit imaxvictoria.com or phone 250-953-4629

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Profiles OUR STAFF

Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries Opens May 17, 2012

Share your museum Are you a Royal BC Museum member enjoying all of the benefits it includes? Refer someone and if they join, you will be entered into our draw.

You Could Win!

3 months added to your current membership and a copy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Portfolio 20. Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2011 See www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/membership for full contest rules.

Megan Anderson, Exhibit Arts Technician Creating marine life for the Ocean Station gallery is exactly the kind of creative task that Exhibit Arts Technician Megan Anderson loves. But making hundreds of sea urchins, fish and sea stars to create this underwater world was not easy. In addition to molding and creating each creature, Megan spent many hours studying their relationships to ensure their placement in the gallery was just right. Five Royal BC Museum Exhibit Arts Technicians create and maintain our permanent galleries and help to install our feature exhibitions. It is a multifaceted job that requires a great deal of skill and an eye for detail. Each technician is assigned to a gallery for several years, providing a great learning opportunity and enabling them to work with the exhibition and collection closely. Megan completed her Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Victoria before landing a job at the museum.

Not part of the club? Sign up for our members only Kids’ Club today!

Kids’ Club Benefits: • Your own membership card (ages 6 – 18 years) • Club Card to collect stamps and free gifts • Subscription to What’s Insight Kids • Extra Wonder Sunday activities, just for members! • 10% discount on Inside-Out Camp Dinosaur 2012 Sign up at the box office today! Included with Youth Membership (6 – 18 years old). Ask about junior members.

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca 7 WHAT’S INSIGHT Fall 2011

Megan has had a hand in creating and installing several permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum including the Ocean Station, “the party” centerpiece of Free Spirit and the AMuseum kids’ space in Behind the Scenes. In creating the AMuseum, Megan had to think about designing a space that would be fun and safe for kids. She researched and sourced out as many materials as she could to make the space and hands-on games out of local, sustainable, non-toxic materials so that even the littlest visitors could enjoy themselves. Now that Behind the Scenes has closed, Megan is re-purposing some of the fixtures for “the den” – a room that is used by the museum’s school programs. Megan’s current assignment is the installation of upcoming temporary exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year. From start to finish, Megan has a hand in creating wonderful exhibitions and spaces for all to explore.

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Newly Published DONOR PROFILE Audrey Johnson When donor Audrey Johnson moved to Victoria and visited the Royal BC Museum, she was amazed. “it was so different from any other museum.” “It was lively, full of life, and very vibrant.” Nowadays, whenever friends pop into town, Johnson is sure to ask them, “have you been to the Royal BC Museum?” It’s a gem for the city this size to have such a lovely museum in its midst. THE WHALING PEOPLE of the West Coast of Vancouver Island and Cape Flattery Eugene Arima and Alan Hoover $19.95

For these and all of the Royal BC Museum’s publications visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Publications

Royal BC Museum on your Smart Phone!

For Johnson, supporting the Royal BC Museum is important to securing the future of British Columbia’s provincial museum and archives – and the unfolding of the BC story. “I picked up [with the donations] after my husband passed,” says Johnson, continuing the family’s patter of annual giving. “I am a firm believer in the Royal BC Museum.” “The first time I came to the Royal BC Museum, I was sold. I love Old Town, the Woolly Mammoth and the Forest with all of the sounds. I’m proud to continue my family’s tradition of annual giving to the museum.” Audrey Johnson, donor.

A new, mobile-optimized web app has been launched to bring information into the phones, tablets and other mobile devices of our visitors. Mobile devices will be automatically directed to the phone-friendly site that offers GPS guided directions to the museum, mobile video, museum app downloads (Alien Species) and links to ticket information and purchase. The new mobile-optimized site also provides a platform for content accessible through increasingly popular QR codes. This presents exciting possibilities to quickly and easily connect BC history across the entire province!

Need to get in touch? General Inquiries: info@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca Membership Inquires: membership@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca Membership Department: 250-356-7226 or 1-888-447-7977 (Toll Free) Royal BC Museum: 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8W 9W2 Follow us on

WHAT’S INSIGHT

Winter 2011

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

PARTNER PROFILE

Truffles Catering Truffles Catering is Victoria’s leading professional caterer for corporate events, weddings, office requirements, social occasions and celebrations. Its reputation and success is the direct result of consistently delivering responsive, quality catering services and offering great value to its local, national and international clientele. Working with local suppliers and partners means Truffles accesses the highest quality ingredients, artfully combined to ensure delicious food and a tangible investment in our local Vancouver Island and the BC community. In 2011 Truffles was selected as the winner of the Business Leadership Award in Victoria, which recognizes its commitment to continuous improvement in business operations, ethical purchasing practices, sustainability, as an employer and as a contributing member of this community. Cut along dotted line

Yes, I want to invest in the Royal BC Museum Annual Fund. Your gift supports a truly unique experience. Option 1 – Single Gift

Please send my charitable tax receipt to:

¡ $50 ¡ $100 ¡ $250 ¡ $500 ¡ $1000 $ _________ Other ¡ My cheque is made payable to Royal BC Museum Foundation, charitable registration number #118933241RR000! Please charge my ¡ Visa ¡ MasterCard ¡ American Express

Name: ______________________________________________

Card number: _______________________________________

Telephone: ______________________ Email: ___________________________

Name on card: ______________________________________

Name for Donor Recognition Purposes: _______________________________

Expiry date: _____ / _____ Signature: ____________________________

Thank you for investing in the Royal BC Museum. Please return this form, along with your donation to:

Option 2 – Monthly Gift* On the: ¡ 1st or ¡ 15th of each month, I would like to give: ¡ $20 ¡ $50 ¡ $100 $ _________ Other By Cheque ¡ I authorize the Royal BC Museum Foundation to withdraw this monthly donation amount from my bank account. My sample cheque marked “VOID” is enclosed. Signature: ___________________________________ By Credit Card ¡ Visa ¡ MasterCard ¡ American Express Card number: _______________________________________ Name on card: ______________________________________ Expiry date: _____ / _____ Signature: ____________________________ All gifts are tax-deductible donations. * You may cancel or change your donation at any time by calling 250-387-7222.

Address: ____________________________________________ City: ___________________________ Postal Code: ______________________

The Royal BC Museum Foundation 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC V8W 9W2 For more information please Phone: 250-387-7222 Email: donate@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca Web: www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca Other Ways to Give: ¡ Legacy Giving – I am interested in leaving a gift to Royal BC Museum through my will or have already done so. Please contact me to confirm that my wishes can be honoured. ¡ I am interested in making a gift of publicly listed securities. Please send me more information. ¡ I would like to make a gift in honour of a friend or family member to mark a special occasion or as a tribute. Please contact me. ¡ I am a Provincial Employee and would like to make a gift through the Provincial Employee Community Fund (PECSF). I would like to be contacted to learn more about supporting the Royal BC Museum. Royal BC Museum Foundation Privacy Policy

The personal information collected on this form is collected under the legal authority of the Societies Act (RSBC 1996, C. 433) and is subject to the personal Information Protection Act (SBC 2003, C. 63). The personal information collected will be used to update/maintain our donor list, issue tax receipts and publicly recognize your donation. Personal information collected will be shared with the Royal BC Museum to provide you with up to date information on current events/exhibits at the museum.

Make the most of your museum

OUR gift TO YOU.

Buy one membership, get another at

50% off!

Get unlimited admission to museum galleries and exhibitions, express entry privileges and valuable discounts. With a jam-packed 2011/2012 exhibition schedule, it’s a great time to be a member! This offer applies only to in-person membership purchases made from December 1 – 31, 2011*. Ask at the box office for details. * May not be applied to online purchases or to previously purchased membership. The 50% off discount will be applied to membership of equal or lesser value. Full contact information is required for gift membership at the time of purchase. Not valid on gift card purchases.

www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/membership

by Cecil Beaton:

A Diamond Jubilee Celebration

June 1 to September 3, 2012 Image Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum

16,

201

The exhibition is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amh.org), in collaboration with the Houston Museum of Natural Science; California Academy of Science, San Francisco; The Field Museum, Chicago; and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh. © American Museum of Natural History. Image Courtesy of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

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Queen Elizabeth II

Image Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum

ANCIENT FOSSILS, NEW DISCOVERIES Exhibition co-owned by

Lead Sponsor

MAY 17, 2012 – SEP 16, 2012

NEWSLETTER

Kids

Winter 2011

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Lead Sponsor

Exhibition co-owned by

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What do you think they are saying?

Interested in Photography?

How did you get started in photography and how old were you? I was 18 years old and always loved art and design. I didn’t always think I would be a photographer but when I watched my first photo develop, I was hooked!

Learn more with RBCM Photographer, Carlo Mocellin

What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year

I like to explore graphic and abstract elements that appear in nature.

10 Years and Under WINNER, Hui Yu Kim, Malaysia

Alien

Do you need fancy equipment to take a great photo?

Hui Yu photographed this imposing portrait of a tropical flat-faced longhorn beetle on a family photography trip to a tropical rainforest at Gunung Jerai in Malaysia. A light bulb in a mosquito net attracted local invertebrates during the night, and in the morning there were lots of them to look at. Hui Yu is keen on macro-photography (up-close) and chose the most colourful animal to take a portrait of. ‘It had a strange look, like an alien, but it wasn’t angry. It sat still on the branch all the time,’ she says. ‘I want people to know that all creatures, even small ones, count. So don’t destroy the forest.’

Not at all! Your sense of seeing is more important and so is your interaction with others and the world around you which, in turn, helps develop “photographic vision”.

How can someone get started in a career of photography? If you’re not sure this is the type of work you want to do, ask a photographer if you can tag along for a day. Sometimes this will encourage or deter you. Picking up a camera is the first step. Who knows, you might like it!

Word Search BIRDS FLOWERS PETS SKY FAMILY BUGS GARDEN TREES ROCKS ANIMALS

What’s Insight Kids | Winter 2011

KIDS PROGRAMS

Photography tips & tricks

• Move in close • Check the back ground • Experiment • Keep it simple • Have fun!

Photography Scavenger Hunt On your next visit, see if you can find the following items and photograph them. Don’t have a camera? Bring a pencil and paper and sketch them. 1. Look for a species of Blood Star in the deep blue sea. Natural History

5. Find a TV set with rabbit ears. Modern History

Free with admission or membership. Join us for our new, monthly, family-friendly program. Picture Perfect Have you ever wondered how a pinhole camera is made? January 29 12:30 – 1 pm Kids’ Club member only activity. 1 – 3 pm Everyone welcome. First Peoples Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a Pit House? February 26 12:30 – 1 pm Kids’ Club member only activity. 1 – 3 pm Everyone welcome.

6. Time for a nap – find a bed from 1789. Modern History 7. Find a can of Tiger Brand Salmon. Modern History

2. Find the skull and bones of the North Sea Lion. Natural History

8. Find the way out of the Pit House. First Peoples’ Gallery

3. Find the smallest sword in the museum. Third floor foyer Hint: Owned by Alexander Mackenzie.

9. Find a Bear Mask First Peoples’ Gallery

4. Find a “seasonal star”, look up. Modern History (Century Hall)

10. Find the Village Headman First Peoples’ Gallery

Not part of the club? Sign up for our members only Kids’ Club today! Receive your very own club card, special discounts and free programs. Included with Youth Membership. Sign up at the box office. Ask about junior members.