Exploring Artistic Masterpieces

Lego Shakespeare

Art comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Acting, animation, dancing, music, movies, photography, pottery, painting, video game design, writing, and even Lego building can all be considered art forms. However, even though most people will experience a number of these art forms during their lifetimes, many people are never really exposed to the works of true masters. In fact, when most people think of artistic masters, they think of dusty paintings hanging in museums and/or long-since-dead guys that must have been dull and boring. But, this is really pretty unfortunate because there are a number of works, both old and new, that are truly amazing. Fortunately, if you are interested in exploring some really impressive artwork or even trying your hand at getting involved in making your own, there are several events this weekend that you will definitely want to check out.

First, if you’d really like to see the works of true masters and/or you would like to see all of the work that goes into preserving an artistic masterpiece, the Davis Museum at Wellesley College has the exhibit for you. This is because the Davis Museum has a special exhibit from now until June 7, 2015 entitled “Hanging with Old Masters: The Reinstallation of the Davis Museum.” This exhibit will allow you to see the artistic works of famous Italian painters and see how the museum actually preserves each painting, chooses which paintings are displayed, and determines how each painting should be displayed in the museum. For more information on Hanging with Old Masters: The Reinstallation of the Davis Museum, please visit the Davis Museum at Wellesley College website.

Secondly, if you’re really into painting and pottery but you prefer artwork that was made this century, you may want to check out the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society. This is because the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society is presenting their 2015 Paints & Pots exhibit from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. today and tomorrow (March 6th and 7th, 2015) and from 12:00 to 4:00 on Sunday (March 8, 2015.) This exhibit features a wide range of cards, paintings (on both canvas and paper), prints, pots, sculptures, vases, and more. For more information on the Paints & Pots exhibit, which is free and open to the public, please visit the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society website.

Finally, if you’re looking for a way to take a more active role in an artistic masterpiece, you may want to consider creating something for the Fair Verona Festivals presented by the Shakespeare Commonwealth Company. The Shakespeare Commonwealth Company is hosting three outdoor art festivals this year in Boston as part of their Shakespeare OFF the Common series. These three festivals will each feature a performance of Romeo and Juliet and a series of artistic works and activities that explore a specific theme from the play. As a result, if you’re looking for a way to make your own masterpiece and be part of an incredible artistic endeavor, you may want to consider submitting a proposal for a creative work or activity that you can showcase at one of the festivals this summer. In order to find out more information about the Fair Verona Festivals and/or to submit your proposal by the submission deadline of March 15, 2015, please visit the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company website.

Photo credit: Trev Grant / Foter / CC BY

Kid-Friendly Activities This Weekend

Easter on the Death Star
Wow.  Even these guys know that spring is here!

Let’s face it. Winter in New England is cold, and if you’re a parent who isn’t a big fan of your kids losing their extremities, you may have been a little less than keen on the idea of letting them go outside and dive into a snow bank in 10 degrees. The only problem is that when you keep a child cooped up in the house all winter long, they tend to go a little stir-crazy and take you right with them. Fortunately, if the weather outside is any indication, the time to let them escape is finally upon us. In fact, if your wallet is feeling a little light after all of the money that the nice heating man (or woman) took to keep your house warm all winter, there are a number of kid-friendly activities this weekend that won’t make you (or your wallet) scream in pain.

First, if your kids just can’t wait to have an Easter egg hunt and/or your Easter plans really don’t leave a lot of time for a hunt next weekend, you may want to head on over to Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester tomorrow. This is because Phillips Candy House is sponsoring the 22nd Annual Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Spring Egg Scramble in the park from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. tomorrow, April 12, 2014. This event will allow your children to join an enormous number of other children to search the park for nearly 10,000 eggs filled with toys. Best of all, the event is completely free. For more information on the 22nd Annual Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Spring Egg Scramble, please call 617-333-7404.

Secondly, if your kids are more interested in magic and optical illusions than they are in eggs (which, depending on the purpose of the eggs, may not be such a bad thing), the Davis Museum at Wellesley College has a program that your kids won’t want to miss. This is because the Davis Museum at Wellesley College is hosting a special program tomorrow, April 12, 2014, entitled “Family Day at the Davis: The Art of Illusion” from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. This event will allow you and your family to see artwork that is designed to trick your eyes, watch magic tricks, take part in a scavenger hunt, and a whole lot more. Best of all, the museum and all of its programs are completely free. For more information on Family Day at the Davis: The Art of Illusion and other programs at the Davis Museum, please visit the Davis Museum Event page.

Finally, if your kids would really prefer to hear some music, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA may have a show that’s more up your alley. This is because the Coolidge Corner Theatre is hosting Josh and the Jamtones tomorrow, April 12, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. This group is a Boston-based rock band that plays family-friendly music for kids 3 and up, and seeing them perform won’t break the bank because tickets to the show are only $10 for adults and $8 for kids. For more information on the Josh and the Jamtones show at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, please visit the Coolidge Corner Theatre website.

Photo credit: JD Hancock / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)