Art Splash, the Philadelphia Art Museum’s popular family program opens on Friday, July 5, in the Perelman Building, with Pay What You Wish admission through Sunday, July 7.
This summer’s Art Splash draws inspiration from two exhibitions in the Perelman Building, Souls Grown Deep: Artists of the African American South and The Art of Collage and Assemblage. All summer long, families can make art together with professional artists, experience tasty dishes by a chef-in-residence that are inspired by African American cooking of the south, and join an intergenerational community conversation centered on talking with kids about social justice.
With art making in the Splash Studio, pop-up tours throughout the day, quiet mornings for sensory-friendly activities, and extended hours on Wednesday nights, Art Splash offers families many ways to experience the joy in creativity.
Art Splash explores the two related exhibitions with a focus on the inspiration artists find in everyday objects and the stories that they tell about community, memory, and identity. Families can connect with local artists whose own works contain themes that relate to those explored in Souls Grown Deep. Each artist will engage families during a two-week residency, creating works in the Splash Studio ranging from found object sculpture to papermaking, textile work, and storytelling.
The Splash Studio is the hub of creativity for kids and the featured artists will be onsite Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families can make art and learn about the artists’ work during all Art Splash hours. The first art projects are based on the theme of collecting and transforming found treasures into something new.
Programs:
Meet the Artists: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, from 1-4 p.m.
July 5 through July 21
Artist Brian Bazemore will create an evolving assemblage in the Splash Studio, using found materials to create a mixed media artwork. He will speak with families about his work and they can create their own found object sculptures alongside him.
July 23 through August 4
Themed projects during “Art, Papers, Scissors” will spotlight the paper creations of Nicole Donnelly and the many ways one can create art from paper and natural materials. Donnelly is known for her work as a painter, hand papermaker, and installation artist.
August 6 through August 18
Wearing elaborate costumes inspired by the exhibitions, Misty Sol will tell stories and encourage families to share their own memories.
August 20 through September 2
Textile artist and designer Joy O. Ude will work with families to create fiber artwork inspired by the multicolored quilts made by the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama.
Community Conversation
Wednesday, July 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
This year Art Splash offers Talking with Children about Social Justice. Families can join an intergenerational conversation with counselor Shesheena Bray, exploring themes in Souls Grown Deep as a point of departure.
Wednesday Nights in July and August, Art Splash is open until 7 p.m. In July, families can enjoy food demonstrations by chef-in-residence Nia D. Minard, who will cook and develop recipes inspired by traditional foods of the Black American South. Additional programs led by Chef Minard will take place on June 22 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. “Breaking Bread;” and on July 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. “From the Kitchen: Okra Is/Okra Ain’t.” In August 14 and August 21 during Wednesday Nights, Art Splash will feature dolls of the American South from the Philadelphia Doll Museum.
Sensory-Friendly Mornings
July 24, July 27, August 21, and August 24 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Art Splash will host four Sensory-Friendly Mornings for families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities. These sessions will be led by specially-trained museum staff. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Pre-visit materials and sensory-friendly kits are available; email accessprog@philamuseum.org for more information.
Beyond the Splash Studio, specially-curated family experiences include gallery tours designed for kids, family art workshops, a self-guided gallery hunt through the exhibitions, and special performances on Pay What You Wish days throughout the summer. See dancer Lela Aisha Jones and musicians Alex Shaw and Papa Ed Stokes create music inspired by the African diaspora on Sunday, August 4, (performances at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.).
Art Splash Hours
Tuesday through Sunday; drop-in between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; open until 7 p.m. on Wednesday Nights (with Pay What You Wish admission after 5 p.m.). Art Splash runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2019.
Admission
Art Splash opens with three full days of Pay What You Wish admission, from Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Art Splash programs are included in the price of admission and kids 12 and under are always free. Admission will be Pay What You Wish on Sunday, August 4, and Sunday, September 1.
