Storytime: Express Yourself!

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.

Join us and the Washington Ballet for an exploration of how we express who we are. We will look closely at Your oceanic feeling by Olafur Eliasson; read Julián Is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love; and participate in our own playful art-making.

Meet on the Plaza.


Do this at home! Create a complementary colors suncatcher inspired by our 2019 exhibition, Pat Steir: Color Wheel. Instructions here. 

A wet, just finished water color sits on top of a piece of newspaper.


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.

Art Cart: Light of Mine

Celebrate color at this week’s Art Cart inspired by artist Olafur Eliasson. Young artists will look closely at his artwork Your Oceanic Feeling, play with reflective materials, and create their own works of art with light and color! 

Find the Art Cart on the Third Level and pick up your reflective materials.


Do this at home! Discover the science of light, shadows, and reflections through artful play. Bonus: you’ll only need a few materials to set the stage for extended play. Instructions here.

A flashlight is shone through a multicolored container.


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 artmaking 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. 

Storytime: Moonbear’s Shadow

Join us and educators from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum to explore and play with light and shadow! We’ll tour the galleries and hunt for shadows in several artworks, read the story Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch aloud, and explore making our own works using light and shadow.

Meet in the Museum Lobby.


Do this at home! Brighten up the darkness with this colorful and playful Mini Art Lesson exploring light. Instructions here.

A flashlight is shone through a multicolored container.


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 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. 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 mcgettigant@si.edu to reserve a program in advance.