With only one week of summer camp left, it’s time to say so long to summer! But before we pack up our sunglasses, let’s take a look at some of the brightest moments from our camps this year!
With nineteen different summer camps, campers explored every corner of the DMA’s collection, and learned about art from all around the world.
Of course, this inspired us to make art (lots of art!) of our own!
At the end of each camp, we shared our masterpieces in an exhibition for our families. One exhibition even took the form of a fashion show!
We’re sad to say goodbye to summer camp, but excited for our next adventure!
Emily Wiskera
McDermott Graduate Intern for Family and Access Teaching
Thomas Eakins is overwhelmingly considered one of the most important American artists. The Pennsylvanian would have been a whopping 172 years old today. His art was deeply influenced by his interest in the anatomy of the human form and the study of motion. The realist painter, photographer, and sculptor took to educating aspiring artists later in his career, and he was both admired and admonished for his controversial and progressive teaching methods.
The painting below—like almost all of Eakins’ portraits—is not a commissioned work, but was done out of friendship. The pensive subject is Gertrude Murray, the sister of one of the artist’s most loyal friends and with whom he shared studio space. As is typical of his extraordinarily moving late portraits, Eakins has isolated his sitter against a neutral background, showing her absorbed in thought. He sets up a tension between his sketchy, bold handling of paint and his intensely observed realism.
Cheers to Thomas!
Thomas Eakins, Miss Gertrude Murray, 1895, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Margaret J. and George V. Charlton, Mr. and Mrs. Jake L. Hamon, The Jonsson Foundation, and an anonymous donor, 1975.1.FA
Julie Henley is the Communications and Marketing Coordinator at the DMA.
Exploring how different styles of music inspire our practice as artists.
We tried skeching to four different styles if music including Beethoven and Johnny Cash.
One of the many perks of being a museum educator here at the DMA is having the opportunity to connect with amazing people in our North Texas community and beyond. Thanks to Tanya Krueger, one of our superstar volunteer docents, I’ve learned about the important work being done by The Stewpot, a community outreach program dedicated to serving homeless and at-risk populations here in Dallas.
Tanya volunteers for the Stewpot Art Program, a special program that provides class time and art supplies for individuals looking to express themselves creatively, grow as artists, and support themselves through the sale of their work (be sure to check out opportunities to support the program by donating supplies or purchasing artwork – the artist receives 90% of the sale and the remainder goes back into the program for art supplies and field trips for the artists.) The Stewpot artists themselves are a remarkable group of people. Plan a visit to the studio and you’ll be struck by each artist’s individual style, creative drive, and kind spirit.
Together with Cynthia Brannum, Stewpot Art Program Director, we’ve launched a monthly program for the Stewpot artists here at the DMA that includes a gallery discussion and lots of art-making activities. Speaking for myself, working with the Stewpot artists has been one of the highlights of my summer. Take a look at our first two visits!
Making our own scrolls after visiting the Japanese galleries.
A beautiful day to work in the Sculpture Garden.
Two tiger paintings inspired by the DMA’s collection.
Leon and his Zen-inspired landscape.
Tanya sharing the story of Daruma in the galleries.
Adult coloring books are all the rage right now, and the perfect relaxing activity to take a break from your spreadsheets at work, the laundry piling up at home, or that never-ending to do list. If you don’t really want to share your coloring books with the kids, here are some creative, easy ideas that go beyond the coloring book.
Graph Paper Drawing
A couple years ago, one of the few things on my nephew’s Christmas wish list was graph paper. He was genuinely thrilled to open up a gridded white board, and got to work right away creating all kinds of designs. If a blank piece of paper is too overwhelming for your child, graph paper drawing is a great alternative. The preprinted lines and shapes provide just enough structure while still allowing for open-ended expression. You can download and print your own graph paper in all kinds of designs, from regular squares to triangles, circles, hexagons, and more, here.
Scribble Drawings
Scribble drawings are still one of my very favorite ways to doodle. Simply scribble a line (or two or MANY) on your paper and then fill in the spaces with color for a fun abstract design. Or, step back, take a closer look at your doodle and see if any images materialize. Can you see a face? A tail? Fill in the appropriate spaces to finish out what your imagination sees in the lines.
Back and Forth Drawings
Turn coloring time into together time by playing simple drawing games together. Tangle Art & Drawing Games for Kids has tons of creative ideas. We tried “Horizon Drawings” here in the office. I drew a wacky horizon line on a piece of paper, then handed it off to Jennifer, who turned it into these delightfully kooky characters. Can’t you just imagine the story that is happening here?
Surreal Drawings
Surreal drawings are another imagination-builder. Start off with an everyday object—clip pictures from recycled magazines or print images from the internet. Challenge your child to transform that object into something new by drawing. Characters are an easy place to begin—a carrot turns into a basketball player, an egg beater becomes a charming friend.
Pokemon Go Unplugged
When it’s time to unplug and disconnect, your kids can still burn off their Pokemon Go steam with a little old-fashioned drawing. Have everyone in the family invent and draw their own Pokemon Go character and hide it somewhere in the house or yard. Call “ready, set, go” and race to see who can collect the most characters.
For more great drawing ideas, check out these links:
Though summer is typically a break for many, you won’t find our education staff snoozing through these hot months. Among our lineup of summer programs, the DMA offers unique camps June through August that feature different themes, artworks across the Museum’s collection, and new teachers and campers every week. Talk about excitement!
Our campers have traveled through time and space, explored nearly every inch of the Museum, and used anything and everything to fuel their creativity. Have a look at some of the fun we caught on camera—it’s enough to make you wish summer lasted all year round!
Sketching ideas in the galleries. (Passion for Fashion for ages 6-8).
Making art in the studio. (It’s Greek to Me! for ages 9-12)
Making art in the studio. (Out of the Box for ages 9-12)
Teacher Leah Hanson telling the story of artist Gerald Murphy in the galleries. (ABCs of Art for ages 4-5)
Campers editing their film projects. (Vid Kids for ages 9-12)
Exploring art in the galleries. (Time Travel Kids for ages 6-8)
Some silly camp faces! (Time Travel Kids for ages 6-8)
Fun in Fleischner Courtyard. (ABCs of Art for ages 4-5)
Working on art in the studio. (ABCs of Art for ages 4-5)
Exploring music and art in the African Galleries. (Hands-On Art for Children with Autism)
Making art with light. (Sense-sational Art for ages 6-8)
Jennifer Sheppard is a Teaching Specialist at the DMA.
I’ll be the first to own up to my pretty serious bias, but I think summer camp is the most wonderful time of the year! The DMA offers unique camps throughout the summer which feature different themes, artworks across the Museum’s collection, and new teachers and campers every week. We wouldn’t be able to manage so much change and excitement without our six camp constants: our 2016 Summer Art Camp Interns! It is my pleasure to introduce Kristin Wright, Clare Mills, Annabella Boatwright, Shannon Bentley, Julia Dotter, and Vanessa White.
Each Monday, these all-star interns greet a new group of campers and put their hearts into creating a friendly, fun, and safe environment for our young artists. They support our teachers, plan lunchtime projects, encourage and challenge campers in their art-making, and are the fastest exhibition set-up crew in the west. Take a look at some of the fun they’ve helped make happen!
Shannon shares a story about color.
Kristin and campers make zombie masks in the studio.
Julia and campers go for a walk in the galleries.
Interns are artists too!
Clare and campers take a sketching break at lunch.
Annabella helps a camper make her creative vision a reality.
Shannon and Julia set up for an end of camp art exhibition.
Vanessa and campers take a sketching break at lunch.
Kristin and a camper investigate art in the African Galleries.
Bastille Day is this Thursday, but the revolution will last an extra day as we continue the festivities during our July Late Night.
To help you practice your French numbers, here are some things you can experience that evening:
Un – The number of movies starring Kirsten Dunst that will be screened (spoiler alert: it’s Marie Antoinette).
Deux – The number of people facing off against each other in our fencing and dueling demonstrations.
Trois – The number of hours DJ Wild in the Streets will spin a mix of eclectic French music.
Quatre – The number of tours that will explore the French Revolution, fashion, and portraiture.
Cinq – The number of hours you can hear live French music performed by local musicians.
Six – The time that Late Night starts, so don’t être en retard!
Sept – The start time for our Late Night Talk sharing a quick history of the French Revolution.
Huit – The number of selfies you should take in front of French portraits in our Rosenberg Collection, and then share them on our Instagram with #DMAnights.
Neuf – The number of rogue mimes you might see walking around.
Dix – The number of times DMA staff might yell “vive la DMA!” during the evening.
Jean Antoine Theodore Giroust, The Harp Lesson, 1791, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, Mrs. John B. O’Hara Fund, 2015.10.FA
In addition to our Late Night, Bastille Day Dallas will expand its annual celebration and bring more French culture to the Dallas Arts District with outdoor activities on Flora Street. So put on your beret, grab a baguette, and join us!
Stacey Lizotte is Head of Adult Programming and Multimedia Services at the DMA.
I recently embarked on a two week road trip to see parts of America I’ve never seen before. As my family and I drove across the country–through the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico–the landscape and sites constantly reminded me of works of art from the Museum’s collection.
Red River, TX
Nic Nicosia, River, 1981, Dallas Museum of Art, General Acquisitions Fund
Haystacks in Kansas
Florence E. McClung, Squaw Creek Valley, 1937, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Florence E. McClung
Road signs, Kansas
Coreen Mary Spellman, Road Signs, 1936, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Helen, Mick and Thomas Spellman
We saw expansive flat lands transform into rolling hills, then the rough and brittle Badlands. We saw Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument in the Black Hills. We saw purple mountains and red rocks in Colorado and camped among tree filled peaks. We were even visited by a moose in the Rio Grande National Forest.
Carhenge in Alliance, NE
Laurie Simmons, Stonehenge, 1984, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Fredericka Hunter and Ian Glennie, Houston
Windmill well in Nebraska
Peter Hurd, Windmill well at Night, 1935-36, Dallas Museum of Art, bequest of Rozwell Sam Adams in memory of Herndon Kimball Adams and Loither Iler Adams
We drove past mesas, buttes, and Glen Canyon Dam. We kayaked in the clearest fresh water at Lake Powell and jumped off cliffs. We visited the (inaccurately named) Aztec Ruins left behind by an Ancestral Pueblo society. We saw the adobe houses and desert landscapes that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe. And then we made our way back home though west Texas.
Badlands, South Dakota
Frances Skinner, East of Socorro, 1940, Dallas Museum of Art, Museum League Prize, Eleventh Annual Dallas Allied Arts Exhibition, 1940
Distant rainstorm, Wyoming
Edward Bearden, Storm on the Plains, 1944, Dallas Museum of Art, Ted Dealey Purchase Prize, Fifteenth Annual Dallas Allied Arts Exhibition, 1944
Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado
Alexandre Hogue, From Harriett’s Cabin, 1927, Dallas Museum of Art, The Barrett Collection, Dallas, Texas
Take a break from the Texas heat and take your own journey across the world and through time in the DMA’s permanent collection galleries this summer.
Water splashing on Lake Powell, Arizona
Everett Spruce, Canyon at Night, 1945, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Art Association Purchase
Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona
Adrian D. Clem, Construction Work Boulder Dam #1, 1934, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the Public Works of Art Project
Jessica Fuentes
Manager of Gallery Interpretation and the Center for Creative Connections
For any visitor, going to a museum has the potential to be an overwhelming experience. Large crowds, new sensory experiences, an unknown environment, and expectations of best behavior can act as barriers to enjoying a day at the museum. This can be especially true for visitors with special needs. But is that a reason to avoid museums altogether? No way!
In this series, we’ll explore tips and tricks for creating a great Museum experience for visitors with special needs. First up in our All Access Guide to the Museum series is Autism!
Reviewing a social story before your Museum visit may help your child understand what to expect. This can meet a need for structure and predictability, and help to reduce the stress or confusion your child may experience throughout their visit. Find a social story for your DMA visit here!
Make your visit child-sized and focus on just a few works of art that spark your child’s curiosity. Don’t feel like you need to see everything in one day. General admission to the Museum is free and you can return again and again!
Pass the reins to the kids and follow their interests! Let them choose where to go and what to see, then give their imaginations a workout. You might search for favorite colors or animals, act out a story you see in the artwork, or play a game of I Spy.
Children may prefer to sit and participate in quiet activities, such as drawing or playing a game. Find places within the galleries that allow for quiet time, such as one of the benches found around the Museum or open spaces to sit on the floor. Bring along a sketchbook and colored pencils to experience the art in an interactive way.
Take a break! Adding breaks to your Museum visit may help children spend more time touring the galleries and increase their overall enjoyment. Find a quiet place to take a break that is free of auditory, visual, and tactile stimulation. For example, the walls in the Ancient American galleries are a calm, muted grey tone complimented by low lighting. This creates a more soothing atmosphere for children who are sensitive to bright light or may become distracted with too much visual stimulation.
Children are welcome to wear noise canceling headphones or listen to music during their time at the Museum. This may be helpful if they respond negatively to unexpected or loud noises, hold their hands over their ears to protect them from sounds, become distracted around a lot of sounds, or can’t work with background noise.
Allowing children to carry a small object or favorite toy during their visit may enable them to focus more fully.
Children who have sensory seeking tendencies may display a need to touch certain surfaces or textures. Providing them with opportunities throughout their Museum visit to touch and interact with exhibits may be helpful in increasing their enjoyment. Although the majority of items in the Museum should not be touched, a few galleries do include interactive elements, such as the playable thumb piano in the African gallery. For more interactive experiences, head down to the Center for Creative Connections on the first floor where you can visit Arturo’s Nest and the Young Learners Gallery. Both are “please touch” spaces where kids can crawl, explore, and play.
If you prefer to plan your visit during non-peak hours, you may want to come September through May (Tuesday-Friday, after 1:00 pm). If you are planning your visit during Summer, Spring Break, or holidays, you may want to visit Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 to 1:00 pm.
Visit the Museum during our next Autism Awareness Family Celebration, when we open two hours early for children with autism and their families to enjoy art together! Families can participate in art-making activities in the studio, enjoy an interactive performance by our music therapist, listen to an in-gallery story time, or relax in our quiet sensory room facilitated by occupational therapy students from Texas Woman’s University.
We hope to see you soon!
Emily Wiskera
McDermott Graduate Intern for Family and Access Teaching
In the DMA’s Education Department, we embrace opportunities to refresh our minds and spark our creativity. And when said opportunities happen to present themselves in the form of baked treats, well, you can bet we’re all over it.
So in honor of National Sugar Cookie Day on Saturday, July 9, I whipped up a batch of blank cookie canvases for my colleagues to craft, with one simple caveat: creations must be inspired by works of art at the Museum.
As the frosting settled and the miniature masterpieces took shape, only one question remained—when can we eat!
Vincent van Gogh, “River Bank in Springtime,” 1887, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott in memory of Arthur Berger, 1961.99
Ceremonial mask, Peru, north coast, Sicán culture, 900-1100 C.E., gold, copper, and paint, Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc, 1969.1.McD
Claude Monet, “Water Lilies,” 1908, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, 1981.128
Raymond Jonson, “Composition 7—Snow,” 1928, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan E. Boeckman, 1984.12.FA
Vincent van Gogh, “Sheaves of Wheat” (detail), July 1890, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, 1985.R.80
Maurice de Vlaminck, “Bougival,” c. 1905, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection, 1985.R.82
Wraparound skirt (“kain panjang”): cloud design (“megamendung”) (detail), Indonesia, Java, c. 1910, handdrawn batik on commercially woven cotton, Dallas Museum of Art, Textile Purchase Fund, 1991.58
Wreath, Classical or Hellenistic period, 4th century B.C.E., gold, Dallas Museum of Art, Museum League Purchase Funds, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., and Cecil H. and Ida M. Green in honor of Virginia Lucas Nick, 1991.75.55
Dressing set (scent-bottle), attributed to Charles Gouyn, St. James’s Factory, London, England, c. 1755, gold-mounted, porcelain with enamel decoration, Dallas Museum of Art, The Esther and Karl Hoblitzelle Collection, gift of the Hoblitzelle Foundation by exchange, 1995.22.10
“Nocturne” radio (model 1186), Walter Dorwin Teague, Sparton Corporation, Jackson, Michigan, designed c. 1935, mirrored cobalt glass, satin chrome steel, and wood, Dallas Museum of Art, The Patsy Lacy Griffith Collection, gift of Patsy Lacy Griffith by exchange, 2004.1
“Window with Starfish,” Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company, New York, New York, c. 1885–95, glass, lead, iron, and wooden frame, Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., 2008.21.2.McD
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