Art Cart: Suspend a Sculpture

Who says a sculpture needs to be grounded? Not us! Explore the possibilities of suspense by creating a suspended sculpture using found materials inspired by artist Alexander Calder and his works in Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860-1960. 

Find the Art Cart on the Lower Level and pick up your suspension materials.

Do this at home! Build and suspend your own sculpture inspired by Eva Hesse. Instructions here. 

A long red netting hangs in a U formation from a beige wall.

ABOUT THE ART CART

Want to make art inspired by your favorite Hirshhorn works on view? The Art Cart offers young artists a hands-on maker experience during their visit to the Hirshhorn. Each week’s Art Cart offers a fresh and fun theme featuring an artwork on view, an art-making activity to do at the Museum, and kids projects to extend the fun at home! 

The Art Cart is free; no registration required. Drop in any Saturday between 10 AM and 1 PM.  

Nursing caregivers are welcome. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby. If there are access services or accommodations that can make your experience more inclusive (e.g., ASL interpretation, live captioning, etc.), please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu. One to two weeks’ advance notice is recommended but not required.

Storytime: Fish Out of Water

Storytime is currently a drop-in experience. Join Hirshhorn educators any time between 10 am–noon; we will host read-alouds at 10:30 am and 11:30 am. ASL interpretation is provided at the 10:30 reading.

What lives in the sea? Join us and educators from the Zoo for an ocean inspired Storytime where we’ll look closely at Fish, by Alexander Calder; read Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister; and create our own fantastical loose-parts sculptures inspired by the ocean. 

Meet on the Plaza.

Do this at home! If you could be anything from nature, what would you be? Inspired by artist Thierry de Cordier, create a self-portrait using natural items. Instructions here. 

Sections of bark, moss and plants lie on a white surface.

ABOUT STORYTIME

Join Hirshhorn Kids on Wednesdays for a one-of-a-kind Storytime experience! Each week offers a fun and fresh theme for our youngest artists and their adults. Get a fun and hands-on introduction to a new artwork each week, and participate in a joyful read-aloud filled with music, stories, and tons of movement. Then, stay and play while your little artist creates. No reservations or tickets required. Nursing caregivers are welcome. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby. ASL is provided at the 10:30am reading. If there are additional access services or accommodations that can make your experience more inclusive, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. Groups of ten or more, should contact hmsgeducation@si.edu with their requested program date and group details.