Meet Rosie Tarr

Committee

What inspired you to get involved with the Children’s Museum?
“Having visited Sarasota for over 20 years, we finally moved here to be close to our youngest grandchildren. It quickly became apparent that there are very few opportunities to share creativity, experimentation and exploration for a reasonable price in close proximity.”

Can you share a favorite childhood memory that sparked your passion for Sarasota to have a children’s museum and you being a part of bringing that to reality?
“As a grandparent, I grew up simply playing outside or riding my bike to the park. Raising my children in our hometown of Orlando offered more opportunities such as the Orlando Science Center and The Rep theater for children.  Both of these offered year-round programs and events to enrich the children’s lives.

Sarasota is rapidly growing and with that growth is a very large group of young families searching for a more robust environment of experiences to offer their children.  The Sarasota Children’s Museum could not be more needed or timely.”

What’s an interactive exhibit or educational program you would love to see at the museum, and why?
“I would like to see many interactive, hands-on activities as possible.  Doing is so much more engaging than seeing!

I would also love to see a virtual sky tour of our amazing area and crystal clear Gulf from the view of one of our beautiful sea birds.”

If you could have any superpower to help you in your role, what would it be and why?
“I would like to be invisible and wander among the families to hear what they like and how we have changed their view of things with our exhibits.”

What are your hobbies or special talents that might surprise people?
“In addition to my exciting role as mother to three wonderful daughters and grandmother to eight amazing little people, I am a pianist and watercolorist.  I especially love painting en plein air; transferring the beautiful scenery to paper with my palette.”

If you could host a dinner party with any three characters from children’s books or movies, who would they be and why?
“Little Bear was my imaginary friend when I was 3-5 years old.  There were not any children nearby so Little Bear played with me every day.  I would like to have dinner with her to hear some of her memories of me as a child.

Robin Williams would be such fun to have at dinner. I doubt we would get to eat very much from the laughter. I would love to be able to watch mind swirl in conversation. He was such a fun talent.

A dinner with pianists performing the music of Rogers and Hammerstein and/or George Gershwin would be just wonderful. To simply sit and listen would be divine.  I love to immerse myself in beautiful music!”