FOR A GOOD CAUSE -- Artful presentations

Young Chang

NEWPORT BEACH -- Victor and Barbara Klein are doing everything they

can, without pay even, to reverse the effects of art gone neglected.

“It’s a facet that definitely gets short-shifted sometimes,” said

Victor Klein. “In the hustle and bustle we all face, in the budget cuts

here and there and the budget cuts in schools.”

As docents at the Orange County Museum of Art -- Victor for 12 years

now, his wife for 14 -- the Newport Beach couple devotes at least one

morning a week to giving tours at the museum.

But that is just the beginning. They do countless personal hours of

research on whatever the current exhibit may be. Sometimes, the artist or

the curator will hold small classes for the docents, which the Kleins

also attend.

“We get art history training, really,” said Barbara Klein, 68. “We

study all the different art periods -- Impressionismup to minimalism and

the very current video art.”

While learning to become a docent more than 10 years ago, each learned

how to give tours -- how to stand in the right position, how to address

the group, how to ensure the visitors remain a group and how to give an

interactive presentation instead of a lecture.

That worked well for Victor Klein, a retired marketing and advertising

executive who has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Syracuse

University.

“As a marketing guy, I love to give presentations,” the 72-year-old

man said.

Barbara Klein loves working with children. Kids who come in groups

from county schools are more open about airing their reactions than

adults are, she said, confident enough to answer questions based simply

on what they feel and see.

“There’s nothing more exciting than watching the children climb back

up to the bus to go back to school, and you can see how much fun they’ve

had and what they’ve learned,” Barbara Klein said.

Some adults are eager with their responses. Others are more guarded.

But either way, the Kleins go home assured that their visitors learned at

least a little something more about art and looking at art.

“They really get an opportunity to use their own mind and feeling,”

Barbara Klein said. “And this helps them to be able to view and enjoy art

museums from all over the world.”

Victor Klein agreed.

“More people need to know a little more about art,” he said. “I think

art is something that needs to be shared with our community.”