Storytime Studio: A Trip to the Hirshhorn

Creativity is in full bloom every Wednesday at Storytime Studio. Celebrate spring with your littlest artist. Every week offers a new adventure.

This week: Ignite your child’s imagination with a trip to the Hirshhorn. We will read the story Matthew’s Dream by Leo Lionni, a book about a young mouse who visits a museum and realizes that art can change the way we see the world. We’ll explore artist Giacomo Balla’s Futurist Flowers, and create our own colorful flower sculptures inspired by his work. 

Featured Book: Matthew’s Dream by Leo Lionni

Program Schedule: 

Storytime Studio is a one-hour experience, with entry times at 10, 10:20, 10:40, and 11 AM. No registration is required. Visitors receive their entry time upon arrival.

Meet in the Hirshhorn Art School on the Lower Level

ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO 

Join us at the Hirshhorn Art School for Storytime Studio—a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 8 as well as their caregivers. Every Wednesday morning, step into our studio where art comes alive and enjoy a special Storytime adventure. 

Know Before You Go:

Storytime Studio has limited capacity. Participation for each adult and child is limited to one-hour. Depending on availability, you may be asked to enjoy the galleries prior to your start time. No reservations or tickets required. 

Nursing caregivers are welcome. During Storytime Studio, stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level near Art School.

If there are services or accommodations that can improve your experience (e.g., ASL interpretation, live captioning, etc.), please contact HMSGeducation@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. 

Storytime Studio: Adventures with Square

Creativity is in full bloom every Wednesday at Storytime Studio. Celebrate spring with your littlest artist. Every week offers a new adventure.

This week: Be a square! Join us on an adventure with Square, who creates sculptures made from squares. We will explore artworks featuring squares and other geometric shapes in Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960, enjoy a read aloud of Square by Mac Barnett, and create our own sculptures using geometric shapes.

Featured Book: Square by Mac Barnett

Program Schedule: 

Storytime Studio is a one-hour experience, with entry times at 10, 10:20, 10:40, and 11 AM. No registration is required. Visitors receive their entry time upon arrival.

Meet in the Hirshhorn Art School on the Lower Level

ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO 

Join us at the Hirshhorn Art School for Storytime Studio—a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 8 as well as their caregivers. Every Wednesday morning, step into our studio where art comes alive and enjoy a special Storytime adventure. 

Know Before You Go:

Storytime Studio has limited capacity. Participation for each adult and child is limited to one-hour. Depending on availability, you may be asked to enjoy the galleries prior to your start time. No reservations or tickets required. 

Nursing caregivers are welcome. During Storytime Studio, stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level near Art School.

If there are services or accommodations that can improve your experience (e.g., ASL interpretation, live captioning, etc.), please contact HMSGeducation@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. 

Open Studio: Found Around Town

This spring, creativity is in full bloom every Saturday at Open Studio! Discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. Each week introduces new artists, ideas, and creative challenges.

This week, we’ll explore artist Louise Nevelson and her work, Black Wall, 1964: an assemblage made from 24 stacked wooden crates, all painted black. Taking inspiration from Nevelson’s artistic use of everyday objects collected from her neighborhood, use wooden scraps, boxes, and other repurposed materials to build your own 3D sculpture. 

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

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; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Open Studio: Hanging in the Balance

This April, creativity is in full bloom every Saturday at Open Studio!  Discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. Each week introduces new artists, ideas, and creative challenges.

This week, explore artist Alexander Calder and his works including Fish, 1944 and Zarabanda (One White Disc), 1955 on view in Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection, 1860–1960. Then, build your own suspended sculpture to hang in the balance! Use pipe cleaners, coated wire, aluminum foil, and other loose parts to create and display your own unique work of art!  

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

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; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Open Studio: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose

This April, creativity is in full bloom every Saturday at Open Studio! Discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. Each week introduces new artists, ideas, and creative challenges.

This week, join us for an Open Studio inspired by artist Joseph Cornell’s use of found objects to craft imaginary worlds. In honor of Earth Day, we’ll consider the importance of repurposing everyday items by giving new life and meaning to discarded materials. 

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

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; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Open Studio: Flower Frenzy

Creativity is in full bloom every Saturday at Open Studio! Discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. Each week introduces new artists, ideas, and creative challenges! 

This week, join us for an Open Studio inspired by Artist Giacomo Balla’s Futurist Flowers. Create your vision of the future and construct your own 3-dimensional botanical sculptures using rigid materials (corrugated paper, cardboard) and bright spring colors.  

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

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; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Open Studio: Love, Queen

This month creativity is in full bloom every Saturday at Open Studio! Discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. Each week introduces new artists, ideas, and creative challenges! 

This week’s Open Studio takes inspiration from Hirshhorn’s newest exhibition, Adam Pendleton: Love, Queen by artist Adam Pendleton. Draw inspiration from Pendleton’s distinct style featuring drips, splatters, sprays, geometric shapes, words, and phrases. Experiment with painting, drawing, and photography to create a unique work of art. 

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

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; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Open Studio: Focus on the Negative

Celebrate Women’s History Month with joyful opportunities for artistic expression every weekend in March at Open Studio. Discover the work of groundbreaking female artists including Barbara Hepworth, Annette Lemieux, Yayoi Kusama, and Aliza Nisenbaum.

At this Saturday’s Open Studio, Art School challenges you to sculpt your own creations from clay. We’ll take inspiration from artist Barbara Hepworth’s use of negative space in sculpture to explore how our own created environments interact with sculpture.

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

Do this at home! Make your own abstract sculpture inspired by Barbara Hepworth! Instructions here.

A grey, organic sculpture made of clay and resembling a pelvis sits on a flat brown surface, a white background behind it.

 

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.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; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Open Studio: Imaginary Worlds

Make a scene this March during Saturday Open Studio sessions. Dive into the world of boundary-breaking artists on view at the Hirshhorn, and discover fresh opportunities to express yourself and think like an artist. Each week introduces new artists, ideas, and creative challenges!  

This week, we will compare and contrast how artists Joseph Cornell and OSGEMEOS—twin Brazilian artists Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo create imaginary worlds with found objects. Experiment with assemblage, using everyday objects to create your own world in a box! 

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

Do this at home! Use your imagination to construct your own three-dimensional box inspired by artist Joseph Cornell. Instructions here.

ABOUT OPEN STUDIO 

Let your creativity run wild at Open Studio! Drop in and explore modern and contemporary art through interactive, hands-on activities inspired by the Hirshhorn collection and remarkable artworks on view. Open Studio helps you transform your ideas into reality.

Every session introduces a new theme and a fresh perspective on artmaking. Activities are designed to captivate everyone—from budding young artists to seasoned creators—allowing you to craft, create, and learn. 

No reservations or tickets required. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

If there are services or accommodations that can improve your experience (e.g., ASL interpretation, live captioning, etc.), please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.

Storytime Studio: Color Outside the Lines

Bring your littlest artists to the Hirshhorn for a March filled with joyful opportunities to express your best self! Join us as we explore colorful paintings on view in Revolutions: Art from the Hirshhorn Collection (1860–1960). This week, we will play with the possibilities of primary colors. Artists will mix and play with colors using light, paint, and other materials. 

Featured Book: Mouse Paint by Ellen Walsh 

Program Schedule: 

Storytime Studio is a flexible drop-in experience.

Meet in the Art School on the Lower Level.

Do this at home! Painting with a budding artist? Keep it wonderfully simple—and get maximum results—by using a limited color palette to explore color mixing. Instructions here.

Three white pieces of paper have been laid out over newspaper. Each contain a color scale consisting of six horizontal lines of color, experimenting with mixing yellow, red and blue paint.

ABOUT STORYTIME STUDIO 

Join us at the Hirshhorn Art School for Storytime Studio—a captivating blend of play, educator-led read-alouds, and art exploration designed for kids from birth to age 8 as well as their caregivers. Every Wednesday morning, step into our studio where art comes alive, and enjoy a special Storytime adventure that is a free, flexible, drop-in experience. Stop in anytime to experiment with play and artmaking, immerse yourself in interactive read-alouds, or join a gallery tour to explore art on view!

No reservations or tickets required. Nursing caregivers are welcome. Stroller parking is available in the Hirshhorn Lobby and on the Lower Level.

If there are services or accommodations that can improve your experience (e.g., ASL interpretation, live captioning, etc.), please contact hmsgeducation@si.edu; 1–2 week’s advance notice is recommended but not required. For a group of ten or more, please contact mcgettigant@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.