Special to The Leader

 

It’s Back! Family Day returns to the Stark Museum of Art and it’s free for all ages! Families are invited to join the festivities of Favorite Things Family Day, Saturday, September 17, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The young and the young at heart can build a photo frame; make an egghead portrait and an edible teacup. They can go on a scavenger hunt to win prizes and design a take-home mini-museum. Also, families can come together to enjoy the works of a balloon twist artist, face painting, family games, music and lemonade and cookies served on the SMA porch.

Scouts will enjoy Favorite Things Family Day as well. The Museum will offer an activity patch for all participants and each activity meets badge requirements for Cub and Girl Scouts. Family Day offers a great opportunity for Scout troops to get out and explore their community while having fun!

Stark Museum of Art Curator of Education, Jennifer Restauri states, “Studies have found that children who visit museums early in life are more likely to continue to visit museums throughout their lives and have an increased self-motivation to learn.  Art museums specifically offer children an opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary informal learning and foster a sense of creativity.” This most valuable learning experience is available to children and their grown-ups as they participate in Stark Museum of Art programming such as Family Days.

Favorite Things Family Day is offered in conjunction with the special exhibition Collecting Conversations that will be on view for all to enjoy as well. The exhibition highlights the collecting styles of three generations of the Stark and Lutcher family and asks guests to think about what they collect and why. Among the unique and somewhat surprising treasures included in the exhibition are three beautifully restored automobiles, rare books, decorative purses, brilliant cut glass, unique jewelry, family furniture and over 100 quirky, hand-blown eggs decorated to resemble famous historical figures!

The exhibition also features two loaned books from the Miriam Lutcher Stark Library, Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin: A first edition King James Bible and Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies. Both books were published in the 1600s.

In the spirit of “collecting,” the Stark Museum of Art is kicking off a school supply collection initiative on Family Day for area students in need. Those wishing to donate may bring school supplies to the donation bin that will be located in the Museum lobby. The school supplies will be collected throughout the Collecting Conversations Exhibition and will be evenly distributed among Orange County students in need.

Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, and is open
Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit starkmuseum.org.