A Blue Savanna Scavenger Hunt

This activity is part of the PMA’s virtual April School Vacation Week.

Dahlov Ipcar’s Blue Savanna is full of animals! Each of these creatures is doing something; some are running, some are jumping, and some are making animal sounds. Take some time to look at this amazing painting, and see if you can answer the questions below.

Dahlov Ipcar (United States, 1917 - 2017), Blue Savanna, 1978, oil on canvas, 36 1/16 x 50 1/4 inches. Gift of the artist, 1987.58.

Dahlov Ipcar (United States, 1917 - 2017), Blue Savanna, 1978, oil on canvas, 36 1/16 x 50 1/4 inches. Gift of the artist, 1987.58.

Materials needed:

You will need a piece of paper and a pen or pencil to write down your answers.

Take a closer look:

  • So many animals have spots! How many animals with spots can you count? After you count, draw your favorite spotted animal.

  • There are two cheetahs in this painting. What are they doing?

  • There are two snakes slithering in the grass in this painting. What colors are they? What sound do snakes make?

  • Move away from the painting—back up enough so that you can’t see the details of the animals anymore. What colors do you see? Any shapes?

  • Now, get very close to the picture. Dahlov Ipcar has hidden lots of little butterflies in this painting. How many butterflies do you see? Draw your favorite one.

If you could be any animal in this painting, which one would you be? Why? Write it down on your paper and draw it!


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