IF YOU HAPPEN by the Haggin Museum in Stockton on the second Saturday of the month, you are likely to see dozens of children engaged in arts and crafts projects.
Nearly 30 kids were on hand for this month’s event, held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, where museum members and children under the age of 10 took part in craftwork for free.
Children take part in Thanksgiving-themed craftwork during Second Saturdays for Families at Haggin Museum in Stockton on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Ann Scott helps her granddaughter Chloe Scott, 3, paint fall leaves during Second Saturdays for Families at Haggin Museum in Stockton on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Sophia Gonzalez, 5, takes part in the craftwork during Second Saturdays for Families at Haggin Museum in Stockton on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Haggin Museum staff help children make garlands with their painted art during a Second Saturdays event on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Jack Montgomery, 4, gives Sherry McGee a high five after making his garland during Second Saturdays for Families at Haggin Museum in Stockton on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Claire Scott, 6, peels off tape to create painted garland during Second Saturdays for Families at Haggin Museum in Stockton on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
From left, Nolan Montgomery, 6, and Ryleigh Kirten, 8, paint over fall leaves to create a garland during Second Saturdays for Families at Haggin Museum in Stockton on Nov. 11, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
Leslie Fontanilla, a former teacher and current trustee on the Haggin Museum Board, joined the board a year and a half ago and helps out with the Second Saturdays. “Now, it’s kind of my baby,” said Fontanilla. “I decide which projects the kids are going to do and do all the prep work with some help from other people to get it set and ready to go.”
Each Second Saturday event consists of a theme that lines up with the museum’s gallery for the weekend. While the next gallery at the museum isn’t until January 2024, Fontanilla said she decided to welcome fall season with the children in November’s session. The youngest attendee was 18 months old.
The next event will be held Dec. 9 and feature a holiday theme. General museum admission for adults is $8, $7 for seniors, and $5 for youth ages 10 to 17. Kids younger than 10 get in free.
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
