The Princeton University Art Museum invites children and their families to the museum’s popular annual event, Family Day, on Saturday May, 16, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. This year’s event will highlight the museum’s special exhibition Outside In: Chinese x American x Contemporary Art and will feature art projects and live performances celebrating Asian art and culture. Family Day is free and open to the public; registration is not required. At noon all participants are invited for free pizza and beverages for lunch.

 

"We are delighted to offer families an opportunity to engage with the museum’s collections and special exhibition, Outside In, in a fun and informal way,” said Caroline Harris, curator of education and academic programs.  “Moreover, we are thrilled to be collaborating with the Princeton Chinese Language School, who will help us to bring Asian art and culture to life through varied performances and hands-on art projects”

 

Drawing inspiration from the fascinating works on view in Outside In: Chinese x American x Contemporary Art and the museum’s own Asian art collection, art teachers will demonstrate and lead specially designed art projects including calligraphy, origami, Chinese knotting, mask making, brush painting, and Chinese scrolls for participants of all ages.

 

Live performances will add a celebratory air to the activities held throughout the day. Professional groups and students from the Princeton Chinese Language School (PCLS) include dance troupes presenting fan, drum and flag dances; a yo-yo group featuring an eighteen-year-old “pro”; and a musical performance by chamber ensemble Music from China, performing on traditional Chinese instruments.

 

In addition, a scavenger hunt through the museum’s galleries, where participants will encounter magnificent works of art ranging from ancient times to the present will be offered. Prizes will be given to all participants who complete the scavenger hunt.

 

The Princeton University Art Museum would like to acknowledge the many students, teachers, and staff from the Princeton Chinese Language School, who generously provided their time and talents to Family Day: Mei J. Hong; Grace Chen; Charlton Hook; Meiying Huang; Stephen Kuo; Tracy Kuo; Helen Nan; Jason Tam; Greg Tang; Tian Tu; Jeffrey Yang; and Lavinia Zvyth. Family Day has been made possible by the Friends and Partners of the Princeton University Art Museum.

 

Established in 1970, the Princeton Chinese Language School is a nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to provide a structured and nurturing environment for learning Chinese language and culture. The language program consists of two paths: a traditional path and a Chinese as a Second Language path. Classes are held Sunday afternoons at Princeton Day School. Additional information can be found at http://pcls.org.

 

Founded in 1882, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the finest art museums in the country. Its collection features approximately 70,000 works ranging from ancient to contemporary art, and concentrating geographically on the Mediterranean regions, Western Europe, China, the United States, and Latin America, with particular strengths in Chinese painting and calligraphy, art of the ancient Americas, and pictorial photography. The museum is committed to serving the local community, the region, and beyond through innovative and dynamic programming, original research and new scholarship, an active loan program, and the organization of touring exhibitions of its works. By collaborating with faculty, students, and staff, and through direct and sustained access to original works of art, the museum contributes to the development of critical thinking and visual literacy at Princeton University.

 

The Princeton University Art Museum is located in the center of the Princeton University campus, next to Prospect House and only a short walk from Princeton’s Nassau Street. Museum admission is free and open to the general public. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Free highlights tours of the collection are given every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and major holidays. For information, please call (609) 258-3788 or visit the museum’s Web site at http://artmuseum.princeton.edu.

 

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