KIDS + FAMILIES

December 5 is a Target Free First Sunday at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers free admission all day, the first Sunday of each month, courtesy of support from Target.  As part of Target Free First Sundays, the museum’s education department plans an array of art activities, performances, films, and refreshments from 1 pm to 5 pm designed to give families an interactive experience, with an emphasis on current exhibitions.

That means free admission all day for everyone, and special family-friendly programs.

Come discover the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston inside and out!   Enjoy family flicks, sketching, storytime tours, and refreshments.  The family flicks are shown in Brown Auditorium Theater on the lower level of the Law Building.   Art activities are held in both the Law and Beck buildings, and refreshments are provided.

Sunday, December 5, 2010:  Old and New, Fun for You!

Families will experience incredible artworks, both old and new, from the Arts of Asia galleries at this exciting Free First Sunday. Go on an amazing journey through China as you watch Dance of Asian America perform, including an appearance by guest artist Bi Ying.

Create your own work of art inspired by scroll paintings on view in the newly opened Arts of China gallery. Listen to a storybook about the god Ganesh and then explore a work of art depicting this Hindu deity. Visit the hands-on, interactive Gallery Cart and sketch objects you find both old and new.

Watch an artist demonstrate Chinese brush painting from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., and then catch one of the day’s films. At 1:30 p.m., Storybook Films showcases both a classic and new version of the story The Three Little Pigs. At 2:30 p.m., the Free First Sunday Film will be a collection of animated shorts by Joe Chang.

Law Building Activities -

Arts of Asia Gallery Cart
First Floor Mezzanine, Gallery 104M
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Learn about materials and inspirations behind works of art in the Arts of Korea, Arts of India, and Arts of China galleries. This interactive experience is led by an MFAH Educator – drop in when you wish.

Storytime: Elephant Prince
First Floor Mezzanine, Gallery 106M
1:30 and 3:00 p.m.
Don’t miss this beautiful story about how the elephant-headed and big-bellied god Ganesh came to be. Then explore an amazing work of art in the Arts of India gallery depicting this Hindu deity. This 30-minute experience is great for families with little ones.

Performance by Dance of Asian America
First Floor Mezzanine, Cullinan Hall
2:00 p.m.
Take an amazing journey through China, learning about its rich cultural heritage with Dance of Asian America, including an appearance by guest artist Bi Ying.

Sketching in the Galleries
First Floor Mezzanine, Cullinan Hall
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Find and sketch works of art both old and new inside the Arts of Asia galleries. An MFAH Teaching Artist is there with drawing paper, pencils, and a stool to get you going on your sketching adventure!

Lemonade Stand
Lobby

Hanging Wonders
Lobby
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Create your own scroll painting using paper, dowel rods, and watercolor pencils at this fun art making activity. Be inspired by the beautiful scroll paintings on view in the new Arts of China gallery.

Artist Demonstration: Chinese Brush Painting and Calligraphy
Lower Level, Kinder Foundation Education Gallery
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Come and watch artist Peihong Endris as she demonstrates Chinese brush painting.

Storybook Films
Brown Auditorium Theatre
Law building - Lower Level
Free Admission
1:30 p.m.
Families with young ones will enjoy these animated films which present a classic telling of The Three Little Pigs, followed by a new version that presents a fun twist to this fairy tale.

The Three Little Pigs
The classic story, with a contemporary bent, of three little pigs threatened by a hungry wolf whose favorite food is pig. Based on the book by James Marshall. (12 minutes)

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
This classic story is provocatively recounted from the point of view of the wolf, bringing viewers the true tale of this much maligned character. Was he really as big and bad as reported? Maybe. Hilarious? Definitely. Based on the book by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith. (8 minutes)

(22 minutes total)

Free First Sunday Film: Joe Chang Animation Films
Brown Auditorium Theatre
Law building - Lower Level
Free Admission
2:30 p.m.
Enjoy three animated short films by award-winning director, animator, and artist Joe Chang. The Chinese Violin tells of a young girl and her father who move from China to Canada, bringing only their Chinese violin along for the journey. In Madame Zhang’s Dream, Madame Zhang’s anguish and undying love for a lost lover are illustrated by a combination of colorful animation and music by the Peking Opera. A Long-Distance Call is about a young artist who goes to a secluded mountainous area in southern China. The films appeared at the Vancouver New Asia Film Festival in May 2010.