Release Date: May 31, 2012
Summer Brings Classic Walt Disney and Warner Bros. Films, a Calder-Inspired Performance, and More Family-Friendly Offerings to the National Gallery of Art
Film still from The Tortoise and the Hare (1935, Walt Disney), to be shown as part of the program Selections from the Silly Symphonies at National Gallery of Art on Saturday, July 7, Sunday, July 8, and Wednesday, July 11.
Washington, DC—The National Gallery of Art welcomes summer with several free family-friendly activities, including an art-inspired performance in June and the popular Film Program for Children and Teens in July and August. On June 29, actor and visual artist Kevin Reese presents a one-man play inspired by the colorful, playful mobiles of Alexander Calder. In July, the Gallery presents Selections from the Silly Symphonies, a program of animated shorts produced by Walt Disney from 1929 to 1939. In August, Classic Looney Tunes features favorite cartoons from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series.
The film program presents a broad range of recently produced films selected for their appeal to youth and adult audiences, and helps foster an understanding of film as an art form. Age recommendations are intended to guide parents in selecting emotionally and intellectually stimulating films for their children.
For a closer look at the Gallery's own works of art, families may explore the collection using the children's audio and video tour. Designed especially for children ages seven to twelve, the tour highlights fifty masterpieces on display in the West Building Main Floor galleries. Also available online at www.nga.gov/education/timetravel/index.htm, the children's video tour encourages users to engage with these renowned paintings both at the museum and at home.
With a full summer schedule of free activities, as well as creative toys and gifts in the Children's Shop and casual dining in the Cascade Café, the National Gallery is a dynamic destination for families to enjoy and explore great works of art.
For more information about family programming, visit www.nga.gov/programs/family.
Film Program for Children and Teens
All film programs are shown in the East Building Auditorium. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups are welcome. Food and drink are not permitted. Programs are free and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information on the current month's films, please call (202) 789-3030. Feature films are in English, unless otherwise noted.
Selections from the Silly Symphonies
Saturday July 7, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, July 8, 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, July 11, 10:30 a.m.
Ages 4 and up
From 1929 to 1939, Walt Disney produced the Silly Symphonies, a revolutionary animated short film series that explored new animation techniques and developed classic characters Donald Duck and Pluto. This selection of ten 35 mm films from the Disney vault features The Tortoise and the Hare (1935), The Three Little Pigs (1933), King Neptune (1932), The Goddess of Spring (1934), Flowers and Trees (1932), Midnight in a Toy Shop (1930), Bugs in Love (1932), Babes in the Woods (1932), Water Babies (1935), and The Cookie Carnival (1935). Approximately 60 minutes.
Classic Looney Tunes
Wednesday, August 8, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 11, 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, August 12, 11:30 a.m.
Ages 6 and up
This program features animated shorts from Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series. Cartoons featuring the comedic timing of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig have been making audiences laugh for more than 70 years. The program will include, among others: One Froggy Evening (1955), What's Opera, Doc? (1957), and Tweetie Pie (1947). Approximately 60 minutes.
Family Performance
A Perfect Balance
Friday, June 29, 11:00 a.m.
East Building Auditorium
Ages 6 and up
Actor and visual artist Kevin Reese presents A Perfect Balance, a one-man play inspired by Alexander Calder's mobiles. Celebrating the creative process, playfulness, and invention, this magical show will delight children and adults. Approximately 60 minutes. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis; doors will open at 10:30.
Free of charge
Children's Audio Tour: West Building Highlights
Acoustiguide Desk, West Building Main Floor, Rotunda
Explore 50 paintings in the West Building with an audio tour designed especially for children ages seven to twelve. To reserve audio tours for groups of 10 or more, call (202) 842-6592.
The National Gallery of Art Children's Audio Tour is made possible through the generous support of the MSST Foundation.
Free of charge
Children's Video Tour: West Building Highlights
The video tour allows children to explore works of art on display in the West Building of the National Gallery of Art through an online tour featuring 50 videos. Find the Children's Video Tour at www.nga.gov/education/timetravel/index.htm.
Family Guides: Italian, Dutch, and American Art at the National Gallery of Art
Gallery Information Desks
Designed for families with children ages six and up, each free family booklet includes activities to guide visitors' exploration of the Gallery's Italian, Dutch, and American collections and questions to encourage group discussions. Also available to download at www.nga.gov/ginfo/index.htm#visitor.
The guides are made possible through the generous support of the MSST Foundation.
NGAkids Online
An entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history, NGAkids online (www.nga.gov/kids) offers a variety of art-making tools, games, and narratives suitable for children of all ages.
The Children's Shop
The Children's Shop on the Concourse offers an array of art-inspired items for children, including books, games and puzzles, toys, artists' supplies, and DVDs. To browse a selection online, visit http://shop.nga.gov.
Cascade Café
East Building, Concourse
Monday–Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Cascade Café offers a selection of soups, salads, specialty entrees, wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts. For those with limited time, prepackaged lunch boxes containing a sandwich, chips, cookie, and a beverage may be ordered in advance. For information about boxed lunches and group lunch vouchers, call (202) 712-7458.
Espresso & Gelato Bar
East Building, Concourse
Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
In addition to tea, coffee, and specialty espresso beverages, the Espresso & Gelato Bar offers 19 flavors of house-made gelato and a selection of fresh sandwiches, salads, pastries, and desserts.
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