Amid the playful cacophony of the DoSeum’s many interactive displays, a new holiday tradition has emerged.
The DoSeum Express: Tiny Trains and Trolleys employed the five artists-in-residence of the San Antonio children’s museum to create fanciful miniature train environments that captivate with detail and imaginative scenes.
A holiday vibe
The decision was made in 2021 to combine the museum’s longstanding artists-in-residence program with a year-end holiday exhibit, and a Tiny Trains theme seemed appropriate, said John Atkins, director of exhibits and facilities.
Trains have a holiday vibe about them, Atkins said. “You can’t go into a department store without finding a train set to put around the Christmas tree.”
And the hobbyist approach to creating miniature landscapes for their train sets involves a creative process akin to artmaking, he said. “The tying in of trains with small scale models and artwork naturally comes about.”
Artists are able to tie in themes that create deeper layers of meaning, said Meredith Doby, chief creative officer.
In the first version of the Tiny Trains exhibit, artist Kallie Cheves built her display around the theme of grief, Doby said, in a scenario that imagined Earth lost its moon. Similarly, in this year’s exhibit, Juan Carlos Escobedo weaves in a dream scenario that pays homage to the children of Gaza with an image of hundreds of flying kites, she said.
“I like to say it’s not your grandpa’s train display,” Doby said. “It’s really more creative and innovative and kind of strange and interesting.”
Daughter and father
Artist Jayme Ditto saw an opportunity to bring her father Leslie Davis’ love of miniature trains into her display by involving him directly. She said she grew up going to train shows with her dad, who is also an artist, and had long wanted to work with him on a project. They applied to the program as a team.
Ditto created a miniature golf scene with underground workings that Davis, a woodworker, helped build and stabilize. Davis also nudged an idea along here and there, she said, including naming the golf course “Birdie’s,” after Ditto’s daughter.
Atkins said Ditto’s and Davis’ project reinforces the multigenerational appeal of miniature trains that makes Tiny Trains a popular draw for families visiting the DoSeum.
“Grandparents love trains and kids love trains. And what that overlap is, I don’t know, but it’s certainly powerful,” Atkins said.
The DoSeum Express: Tiny Trains and Trolleys, including displays made by Escobedo, Ditto and Davis, Stephen Longoria, Vaughn Huddleston, and Chris Fonseca, runs through Jan. 6, accessible with regular DoSeum admission.
