the audience watching and laughing at an actor on stage in the Art Emergency play

Fun Things for Families to See & Do in January 2020


Happy New Year! If you and your family want to add more creativity to your life, we suggest these art-related resolutions for January. Remember, youth 18 and under enjoy free general admission. Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature requires a separate ticket.


Create


Set aside some time to play with paint as you experiment with watercolor techniques, explore the idea of painting en plein air, or use paper marbling to create an abstract painted masterpiece. Drop by the Paint Studio on Level 1 seven days a week during regular museum hours, and catch demonstrations from local artists every weekend from noon to 3 pm.



Try out two Create-n-Takes, available from 10:30 am–4 pm on weekends in the museum galleries. Stop by “Light the Way” before it ends mid-month on Level 3 to discover the importance of animals throughout Asia and make a lamp that shines. Next, head to Treasures of British Art: The Berger Collection to try out “Illuminate Shapes.” Design your own stained glass-inspired art using different shapes and colors.



Discover



Foxy and Shmoxy: Art Detectives continue their sleuthing on January 12. Pick up a letter from the Fox Box in the atrium to find the foxes in the galleries. There are two chances to catch the fox detectives: 10:30 am and 11:30 am.


On January 8, drop by 10 am–1 pm for Create Playdate, an artmaking experience specially created for 3–5 year olds and their grown-ups. Make your own mirror that’s all about you. We’ll use materials inspired by the mirrors on view in The Light Show. Next, we’ll go to the gallery and check out the art that inspired our project and read stories about how we’re all unique.


Immerse



You have until January 5 to stop by the museum for Winter Break family fun! The Paint Studio, gallery activities, First Light Family Space, and two Create-n-Takes are open daily.



Catch the immersive play Art Emergency: Monet Edition on January 2 and 3 at 11am. Join us as we explore the life and artwork of Claude Monet and cast a vote for your favorite of his paintings. It’s fun for all ages!



Explore



The exhibition Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature features a family audio guide with a story of a wandering waterlily that jumps between Monet’s artworks. Don’t forget to take home your own waterlily inspired by the audio guide.


Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended for this exhibition to get the best price and to reserve your preferred date and time. The exhibition is free for children 0–5 and $5 for youth 6–18.


Experience



In addition to the awe-inspiring artworks in The Light Show and Treasures of British Art: The Berger Collection, there’s an installation by artist Shantell Martin in the Precourt Family Gallery on Level 2 to explore. The interactive installation features Martin’s signature black and white drawings that explore identity and play. Watch the animated video projection and make words and phrases out of rotating boxes. Martin has created many surprises throughout the atrium (and even in an elevator!). Can you find them all?

children in the First Light Family Space

Photo by Raine Chism