Free Family Day with Sculpture at the Tyler Museum of Art

Children Learn to Sculpt Like a Master!

Free Family Day to Focus on 3-D Art at TMA

            (TYLER, TX) April 5, 2011 – Children will love the opportunity to become master sculptors this weekend at the Tyler Museum of Art. Families are invited to participate in the Museum’s free Family Day, which lasts from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the classroom on Saturday, April 9. This month’s activities are designed to reflect techniques used by artists in the exhibition The Cornish Art Colony: Giants of America’s Gilded Age with a focus on works of sculpture. Family Days are always free and offered on the second Saturday of the month.

            Children can participate in several different activities this month, including various works in sculpture and relief using modeling clay and model magic, or create their own wearable art including silly hats and headdresses. Members of the education department will present a story time with passages reflecting the characters of the Cornish Art Colony, and myths and legends represented in the exhibition.

            “This program is an incredible opportunity for parents to enjoy an afternoon with their children in a setting of enrichment and learning,” said TMA Head of Education, Ken Tomio. “The activities are designed by the education staff to be fun and exciting for the children, while also imparting lessons in art technique and history with hands-on, participatory activities. What better way to learn about sculpture, than to view a work in the gallery, and then create your own moments later!”

            The Cornish Art Colony: Giants of America’s Gilded Age was co-organized by the Tyler Museum of Art and the Parrish House Museum, Plainfield, New Hampshire. Guest curator of the exhibition is Alma Gilbert-Smith, Director of the Parrish House Museum. Signature Supporter is John R. Williford, co-Trustee, Jean & Graham Devoe Williford Charitable Trust. Underwriter is Thomas C. Campbell, co-Trustee, Jean & Graham Devoe Williford Charitable Trust. Friend is Sheryl Rogers Palmer. Collectors’ Circle Sponsors are Marilyn & Lanier Richey and Joyce & Bill Pirtle.

The Tyler Museum of Art, accredited by the American Association of Museums, is supported by its Members, Tyler Junior College, and the City of Tyler, and is located at 1300 S. Mahon Ave., adjacent to the Tyler Junior College campus off East Fifth Street. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. (The Museum is closed Mondays and major holidays.) Lunch is available in the Museum Café from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and the TMA Gift Shop is open during Museum hours. For more information, call (903) 595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org.