Gail Crecelius served as tour guide for kids on a field trip to see a remarkable exhibit at the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts. She sounded just like a grade school teacher when she talked to them, especially when she gave them the "museum rules" —- no touching the art and so on.

Turns out Crecelius is studying to become a teacher at the University of Georgia. She's interning this summer at the museum. One of her duties is to give tours of "Gifts from Africa: Bronzes, Art and Artifacts."

The exhibit —- part of a collection owned by Susan and William Rochfort —- features fine bronze castings, masked headdresses and other objects from the Republic of Benin, near Nigeria. It's a sight to behold.

The Badie Tour stopped by Wednesday to observe as kids from the Early Literacy Academy in Lawrenceville had a look-see. Initially, they were quiet. But as they wound their way through the 230-piece display, they became more talkative, inquisitive, engaged.

At one point, Crecelius had to ask them to pipe down because all the kids were talking at once.

"Shhh," she said. "We have to take turns."

The collection is on loan at no charge with the stipulation that students on organized academic trips aren't charged admission. So this fall, public and private school field trips will be able to see the exhibit for free.

That's right. Free.

"That doesn't happen very often these days with school field trips," said Teresa Osborn, interim executive director of the Gwinnett Council for the Arts. "It's been exciting to have an exhibit that represents a continent, and that exposes us to a completely different type of art, as opposed to Western art. This exhibit lends itself to repeat visits. You can come just to see the masks or the animals. This is a very dense exhibit."

And atypical.

Most exhibits at the arts center are comprised of pieces that hang on the wall. This particular display has artwork on the wall, free-standing, everywhere. Placement of some artifacts reflects the region's practices and culture. Take the queen's chamber and the king's chamber. Animals guard the king's chamber, with a crocodile strategically placed near the throne.

"It was predetermined where some things had to go," Osborn told me. "Many exhibits tell stories, but this one had to be grouped so things made sense —- masks grouped together. Jewelry grouped together."

Speaking of masks, they were Kaelen Casseus' favorite objects of the entire collection.

"I liked the masks the best because there was a lot of different stuff on them," the 8-year-old told me.

After the Crecelius-led tour, the kids got to make their own masks. They decorated them with beads, feathers and yarn. The exhibit is playing a role in all aspects of the center's children's program. A camp called "African Safari" will be held at the Duluth complex next week.

"We've incorporated it in all the elements we have at the center," Osborn said. "It has that kind of value."

"Gifts From Africa: Bronzes, Art and Artifacts," runs through Dec. 31 at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, building No. 300, Duluth. Details: 770-623-6002; online at www.artsgwinnett.org.

> Rick Badie's columns appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.