Crafting the perfect summer is an art form, and the Denver Art Museum has plenty of ways to help make your family’s a masterpiece. Summer family fun and the “art of summer” at the Denver Art Museum all kick off Saturday, June 2, on Free First Saturday.
- “Art of Summer” Kick Off and Happy Clouds
Art of Summer 2018 kicks off June 2, on Free First Saturday, with free general admission for all visitors starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy vibrant art exhibitions, hands-on artmaking activities and special events without spending a dime. Explore the newest exhibition Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer, as well as Past the Tangled Present, Drawn to Glamour: Fashion Illustrations by Jim Howard, Ganesha: The Playful Protector and Stampede: Animals in Art.
Art Stories/Cuentos del Arte presents bilingual storytelling fun at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and a Spanish language tour of Stampede is offered at 1 p.m.
From 3 to 5 p.m., the museum’s Martin Plaza will be the launch site of artist Stuart Semple’s Happy Clouds, environmentally friendly soap bubble sculptures of smiley faces. The Happy Clouds will drift over Denver and encourage smiles as part of the six-week Happy City Denver art project.
- Make music with La Musidora (May 27–Sept. 3)
Visitor favorite La Musidora returns to Martin Plaza for another summer. La Musidora—the name combines the Spanish words “la música” (music) and “la mecedora” (rocking chair)—is a 90-foot, interactive outdoor art installation. Up to 20 visitors can sit on La Musidora at one time and make musical sounds by gently rocking the colorfully woven chairs. Enjoy the installation whether you’re passing by or resting your feet after a full day in the museum.
- Get inspired with hands-on art projects: Create-n-Takes
(Summer schedule: June 2–Aug. 17, Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m., and Free First Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
All summer, visitors will enjoy making their own exhibition-inspired artworks.
3D Studio with visitors October 2017
Mapping Myths and Monsters (until July 20)
Hold Your Horses (opens July 23)
Carry Me Close
And don’t miss a special outdoor Create-n-Take on Martin Plaza!
Photo Finish (opens June 2, Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.): Inspired by New Territory: Landscape Photography Today (opening June 24), families can experiment with surprising techniques and unexpected materials to create customized photographs.
- See artists at work in the 3-D Studio
Every day, families can explore 3-D art in the Studio and build an abstract paper sculpture, create an animal out of wire or contribute to a collaborative sculpture designed by local artist Pam Fortner. On Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., artists will demonstrate their own 3-D art techniques; watch them at work, learn about their process and gather inspiration for your own creations.
- Explore exhibitions with family gallery games
Gallery games in New Territory: Landscape Photography Today, Ganesha: The Playful Protector and Stampede: Animals in Art are a fun way for families to look closely at artworks and enjoy exhibitions together. Games are available in both English and Spanish.
And there’s even more to discover with Create Playdate activities (with extended summer hours), A Walk in the Woods—a family space inspired by Stampede: Animals in Art that is open daily and included in general museum admission, Low-Sensory Mornings and Untitled Final Fridays.
Visitors are encouraged to share their artful experiences all summer long on social media by tagging #ArtofSummer2018. Members and youth 18 and under receive free general admission to the Denver Art Museum every day, and all visitors can enjoy free general admission during Free First Saturdays (the first Saturday of every month). For more information, visit denverartmuseum.org.
Author: Mile High Mamas
