Category Archives: Museums

November 8, 2023 · 9:53 am

Create & Connect at Planet Word’s FREE Enchanted Pages Community Day, November 18!

Photo by Scott Suchman, courtesy of Planet Word

 

Planet Word’s Schwarzman Family Library is growing, and that’s something to celebrate! In honor of 25 new interactive books being inducted into the magical, interactive Library, Planet Word presents Enchanted Pages Community Day, a free, all-day event featuring book-inspired activities for people of all ages.

On Saturday, November 18, drop in for a bit or stay all day. Explore all three floors of the interactive museum, connect with some of the authors featured in Planet Word’s magical library, and much more!

 

Photo courtesy of Planet Word

 

A DAY OF CREATION
Book-themed activities include DIY bookmaking, a performance by award-winning teaching artist and children’s entertainer Culture Queen, and live art by Chalk R!ot.

 

A DAY OF CONNECTION
Meet some of the children’s and young adult authors whose titles are newly featured in the Planet Word’s Library, including:
* Derrick Barnes, Crown, An Ode to the Fresh Cut
* Michelle Coles, Black was the Ink
* Erin Entrada Kelly, Hello, World
* Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Your Name is a Song

All authors will be available for book signings (see the full schedule HERE).

 

Photo courtesy of Planet Word

 

A DAY OF DISCOVERY
Afternoon events include Between the Lines with Jason Reynolds and Tony Keith, Jr., a discussion about the art of storytelling, featuring the acclaimed author in conversation with award-winning spoken word artist and educator Dr. Tony Keith, Jr. Reynolds’ award-winning young adult novel Long Way Down is among the original titles featured in the Library. Due to space limitations, free registration is required for this event. 

The day ends with a screening of the documentary film Judy Blume Forever.  Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is among the 25 titles being added to Planet Word’s collection. Due to space limitations, free registration is required for this event. 

 

Watch how Planet Word’s magical library brings stories to life.

 

ABOUT THE SCHWARMAN FAMILY LIBRARY
Located on the second floor of Planet Word, the Schwarzman Family Library is a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that brings beloved books to life. Each of the Library’s books is equipped with a radio-frequency identification chip (RFID) that, when placed on the Library’s Story Table, triggers illustrations, narration, and insights into the book and its author.

 

Enchanted Pages Community Day
Where: Planet Word | 925 13th Street, NW
When: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 10am – 6pm
Admission: FREE

* Advanced registration is encouraged, and due to space limitations, registration is required for events after 4pm. Visit www.planetwordmuseum.org for more information.
* Nearest Metro stations: McPherson Square (Orange/Silver/Blue) & Metro Center (Red/Blue/Silver/Orange).

 

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This post is sponsored by Planet Word, however, I only promote events, places, and programs that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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August 31, 2023 · 9:04 am

Get Creative at the National Gallery of Art’s First Saturday of September!

 

With a long weekend ahead, there’s even more time to enjoy some fun with the family.  And one great way to spend some of that time is at the National Gallery of Art ‘s monthly First Saturday! The special day-long affair offers multiple free programs for kids of all ages.

On Saturday, September 2, the fun begins with a story time session for little ones.  Hear a reading of the children’s book Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle in English and Spanish and stay for a little play time, too.

Then starting at 11am, all ages can enjoy even more: Create sculptures using Model Magic clay, try out the new Sketching Lab, and visit the museum’s pop-up library, where you can browse special selections from the Library collection and enjoy quiet activities for kids.

These free activities are offered throughout the East Building and don’t require registration. View more details and the full schedule of the day’s activities here.

Of course, plan for time to tour the exhibits, too!

First Saturday
Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, September 2, 10am – 3pm
Admission: FREE!

 

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This post is sponsored by the National Gallery of Art, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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June 27, 2023 · 9:06 am

Celebrate Summer & Creativity this Weekend at the National Gallery of Art’s First Saturday!

 

Looking for a place to beat the heat and get your 4th of July celebration started this weekend? Join the National Gallery of Art for their July First Saturday, a special day-long affair with multiple free programs for kids of all ages!

At this free festival, you can:
* Read a book and play in Spanish and English at the bilingual Storytime.
* Become a work of art at a face painting station.
* Make your own art inspired by fireworks
* Visit a pop-up library celebrating Leonardo da Vinci, cohosted with our friends from the DC Public Library, then
* View the only Leonardo da Vinci painting on view in the Americas (in the West Building)!

These activities will be offered throughout the East Building (+ one in the West) and don’t require registration. View more details and the full schedule of the day’s activities here.

First Saturday
Where: National Gallery of Art, East Building | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, July 1, 10am – 3pm
Admission: FREE!

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This post is sponsored by the National Gallery of Art, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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June 22, 2023 · 2:51 pm

Get Ready for the Guest Artist Program at the National Postal Museum!

 

Stamp artists have the extremely challenging task of depicting the shared history, culture, and beliefs of an entire nation on a one-inch square piece of paper. They work to find the perfect balance between the countless perspectives and experiences of the American people with their individual artistic visions.

This summer, you can join National Postal Museum and artist John Parra, as they examine a collection of themes illustrated in his original stamp designs and illustrations. Whether you are interested in John’s design process, his artistic inspirations, or his interest in examining Hispanic heritage on postage stamps, there is undoubtedly a program that will interest a variety of art lovers!

Programs will take place throughout the summer, both online and in person, the first one happening next Wednesday, June 28, at 7pm over Zoom.  During that session, join John Parra and USPS Art Director Antonio Alcalá for  ¡Delicioso!: Designing Latino Food Stamps, a conversation about the stamp design process that they used in 2017 when working on the ¡Delicioso! series together.   All ages are welcome to join, and there is no cost to register.

Mark your calendar, too, for the first in-person program: Spanish is the Language of My Family Book Festival will take place  at the National Postal Museum on Saturday, July 15, 11am – 4pm.  Enjoy a family-friendly book festival following the release of Spanish is the Language of My Family, written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by John Parra. Festivities will include tons of fun games, interesting crafts, and entertaining live music for the whole family! This event is free, and no advanced registration is required.

See what else is coming up in the Guest Artist Program this summer! (We’ll keep you updated, too.)

Guest Artist Program
Where: National Postal Museum | 2 Mass Ave NE & Online
When: Throughout the summer
Admission: FREE!

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This post is sponsored by the National Postal Museum, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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June 21, 2023 · 10:54 am

FREE this Sunday: Pollinator Celebration & Mister G Concert at the National Museum of Natural History!

 

There is a lot to enjoy at Smithsonian museums this coming weekend, and one program that families and kids will especially dig: The World & Me: Pollinator Celebration with MISTER G.

This Sunday, June 25 from 10am – 12:30pm, the National Museum of Natural History is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and USDA for a morning celebrating pollinators and learning about our connections to pollinators and plants with interactive activities and a concert with MISTER G!  It’s all free and open to the public, and no registration is required.

Schedule of events:
10-10:55am: Hands-on activities and learning stations
11-11:50am: Concert with MISTER G
11:55am – 12:30pm: Hands-on activities and learning stations, plus a book signing with MISTER G*
*Books will be available for purchase at the event.

The program will be held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the National Museum of Natural History. Use the Constitution Avenue entrance, and Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.

Want to begin your pollinator explorations ahead of the event? Check out the museum’s learning resource page about pollinators and plants!

The World & Me: Pollinator Celebration with MISTER G
Where: National Museum of Natural History | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, June 25, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: FREE

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This post is sponsored by the National Museum of Natural History, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

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