Calendar

Rustic-furniture-making demonstrations, musicians, art activities, outdoor painting workshops and more re-create the mood when artists embraced the natural world on view in Painting the American Vision.

Demonstration

Rustic Furniture Making | 10 am–4 pm | Atrium

Master furniture artisan Barry Gregson, of the Adirondack Rustics Gallery, demonstrates the techniques and tools used to make stools, benches, rocking chairs and more.

Story Time

Henry Works
10:30 am | Meet at the information desk
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program; first come, first served
For families with children ages 4 and up

Follow Henry the bear, modeled after Henry David Thoreau, as he steps outside and decides that it is "the perfect day to walk to work." Henry, in D.B. Johnson's Henry Works, makes his way through the landscape until his most important work is revealed!

Concerts

The Course of Empire | 11–11:30 am and 3:30–4 pm 
Tickets available day of tour at Admissions or Information Desk

Morse Auditorium | For adults and teens

Nell Shaw Cohen presents an original piece for string quartet she composed in response to the themes represented in Thomas Cole's five paintings The Course of Empire. For more information about Nell Shaw Cohen's music and the works that inspired it visit her website.

Workshops

Watercolor Sketching | 11 am–noon
For families with children ages 8 and up | Art Studios
2–3 pm | For adults | Art Studios
Reservations by July 28

Join artist Bill Mitchell and learn how to sketch with watercolors.

Tickets available on day of tour at Admission or Information Desk.  Space is limited, first come first served. 

Drop-in Art Activity

Family Painting En Plein Air | 11 am–3 pm
Meet in Armory Park, across from museum entrance

Drawing inspiration from nature, drop in to experience watercolor painting in the open air with guidance from artist Jim Chisholm.

Tours

Art and Nature with Henry David Thoreau
Noon–12:40 pm and 3–3:40 pm | Meet at information desk
Space is limited; reservations by July 28 | For adults and teens

Explore the paintings of Hudson River School artists with actor Richard Smith as he portrays Henry David Thoreau and shares his thoughts on art, nature and the changing American landscape.

Tickets available on day of tour at Admission or Information Desk.  Space is limited, first come first served. 

Demonstration

Pressed-Seaweed Art | Noon–1:30 pm | Atrium

Artist Lisabeth Billingsley shows how to create abstract art from pressed seaweeds, a modern interpretation of a 19th-century tradition.

Docent Tour

Painting the American Vision | 1–2 pm
Tickets available at admissions desk on day of tour

Family Gallery Exploration

2–2:30 pm | Tickets available at admissions desk on day of program
For families with children ages 5 and up

Explore Painting the American Vision on this 30-minute adventure designed just for families!

Made possible by the Lowell Institute and the National Endowment for the Arts.