Chalk it Up!
Sunday, April 15
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Join us for the Museum's opening day street painting event. Julie Kirk, a modern day 'madonnaro' (professional street painter), will transform the outdoor east plaza of the Packing House into a work of art. Come prepared to pick up a piece of chalk and unleash your inner artist. Materials will be provided, including shade umbrellas and a wash-up area for
chalky hands.

What is madonnaro?  In 16th century Italy, itinerant artists began transforming pavement into canvas using chalk. The tradition was revived 400 years later, in 1972, when the Italian village of Grazie di Curtatone hosted the first known international festival of street painting. In Italy, street painters are called 'madonnari' after their historical practice of creating chalk paintings of the Madonna.

Over the past 30 years there has been a major revival of this art form. Artists worldwide are appearing on streets throughout Europe and at festivals in the United States. Chalk painting can take many hours - sometimes days - before a masterpiece is born, only to be washed away by a hose or street cleaner, or trampled upon by passing pedestrians. Like a fresh flower, they won't last forever, but their fleeting nature makes them all the more beautiful.

Family Days at the Museum
Third Sunday of every month
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free
Designed to inspire creativity and allow families to make art together, Family Days at the Museum occur on the third Sunday of every month in the Packing House promenade. They also take place the Sunday of an exhibit opening, with the art making 'theme' tied in with the new exhibition. In 2007, these dates include Sunday, July 15 (exhibit: LOCUS I: Art and Craft of Claremont and the Region) andSunday, September 23 (exhibit: Ephemeral: Explorations in Light). These casual, 'walk-up and make art' events feature new activities each month, inspired by upcoming holidays or the Museum's current exhibits. This is a great way for families to spend creative time together. We provide the materials and our volunteers will assist in getting you started, but the finished masterpiece is up to you.

The Great Art Hunt: The More You Look, The More You See
Free
Beginning with the Museum's opening weekend and continuing through the Karl Benjamin exhibition, pick up your Art Hunt cards at the Museum's welcome desk and go on a journey through the main gallery as you attempt to match the card's "art parts" to the appropriate Benjamin painting. Three levels of difficulty offer a fun challenge for children as well as adults as you explore and interact with the paintings by looking closely at them to identify colors and shapes.

Art Dialogue Tours
Saturdays and Sundays
1 - 3 p.m.
FreeDocent-led tours of the Museum are offered between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. These 20-30 minute tours open a dialogue about the current exhibit and permanent collection, as well as providing an overview of the Museum and artistic expression in the Claremont area. These intimate tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To schedule a private tour, there must be a minimum of six people in your group.