EVENT: Weekly Art Adventures for Preschoolers at OU
DATE: Through June
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art has resumed its award-winning program for children ages 3 to 5. Weekly Art Adventures include gallery time, an art-related story, and art making.
The program, which is designed for preschool children and an adult caregiver, was offered from 1999 until 2003, when the museum closed for expansion. Art Adventures recently was nominated for an American Association of Museums Education Committee award for excellence in programming.
The goal of the program is to introduce preschoolers to the museum and its collection, basic art-making materials and processes, and creative expression, both artistic and verbal.
“Through stories and picture books, we can introduce young children to art and artists in a way that is very accessible to them. Many of the books show the artist as a child, or show the artist through the eyes of a child, which makes the literature compelling for this age group,” said Susan Baley, curator of education.
The remaining June schedule of stories is as follows:
June 21 – "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds
June 28 – "Luke’s Way of Looking" by Nadia Wheatley
The museum’s expansion project included an art studio, which is equipped with adjustable-height tables, preschool size chairs, and a colorful story time rug. With the exception of the gallery time, the program will now be held in this kid-friendly space, located on the lower level of the Mary and Howard Lester wing.
The program is offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. Admission to the museum is free on Tuesdays.
Parking is available in the visitor parking lot on the north side of Boyd Street across from the museum. Additional parking is available in the Asp or Elm avenue parking garages.
For more information or accommodations on the basis of disability, please call Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at (405) 325-3272.