All programs are open to the public and are free unless marked ($).
May Programming & Events
5.25
Art CartCabinets of Curiosity
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 405
The Art Cart is a drop-in activity station where families and other groups can enjoy hands-on art projects together, taking inspiration from the works on view in the Museum's galleries. Parking is free behind the Museum on weekends.
5.25
Family ActivityWhat a Wonderful World
10:30 – 11:30 AM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court
Explore water, plants, and animals in art. You will encounter flora and fauna alike on this tour of the Museum led by Spencer Museum director of education Kristina Walker. Participants will create sun art prints. This program is best suited for families with children ages 5-8. No registration necessary. The Spencer hosts a family activity the last Saturday of every month.
5.26
Art CartCabinets of Curiosity
12:00 – 4:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 405
The Art Cart is a drop-in activity station where families and other groups can enjoy hands-on art projects together, taking inspiration from the works on view in the Museum's galleries. Parking is free behind the Museum on weekends.
5.28
SymposiumAssociation for the Study of Literature and the Environment (ASLE) Tenth Biennial Conference: Changing Nature: Migrations, Energies, Limits
The University of Kansas
Conference details and registration information is available at asle.ku.edu. The "Water" exhibition in the Spencer Museum's Conversation Space complements this conference and other local research opportunities.
Sponsored By: Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (ASLE), The Commons
Gallery TalkWalking on "Water": An Exhibition Walkthrough with the Curator
1:00 – 2:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 405
Curator Kate Meyer leads a tour of the exhibition "Conversation XIV: Water" and discusses how the art taps into larger conversations about water.
6.14
Gallery TalkTraditions in Transformation
12:00 – 1:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 404
Cassandra Mesick, curator of global indigenous art, leads a discussion of the "Roots & Journeys" exhibition, with a focus on the transformation of indiginous artistic practices in global contexts.
6.16
Family DayTies that Bind
1:00 – 3:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court
It’s Father’s Day at the Spencer Museum of Art, and activities will focus on ties of all kinds: family ties, neck ties, and ties that bind threads in textiles. The day’s festivities include art-making stations and a self-guided tour of the galleries for families to enjoy together.
6.29
Family ActivityReverse Glass Painting
10:30 – 11:30 AM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court, Gallery 404, Gallery 405
These tours followed by art-making activities occur on the final Saturday of every month / ages 5-8 / no registration necessary. Take a family-friendly tour with artist Jessica Lea Johnson and learn how contemporary African artists use reverse glass painting to share their histories and cultures, then create your own glass painting.
10:30 – 11:30 AM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court, Gallery 401, Gallery 405, Gallery 406
These tours followed by art-making activities occur on the final Saturday of every month / ages 5-8 / no registration necessary. Frames usually let the art have all the attention, but they often tell fascinating stories of their own. Explore the untold stories of frames on a tour with SMA staff and then create your own frame in mixed-media.
12:00 – 4:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 406
The Art Cart is a drop-in activity station where families and other groups can enjoy hands-on art projects together, taking inspiration from the works on view in the Museum's galleries. Parking is free behind the Museum on weekends.
8.18
Family DayKansas: To the Stars!
1:00 – 3:00 PM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court
This summer marks the 150th Anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, and Lawrence is buzzing with activity. Spend a lively afternoon at the Spencer making art and exploring the rich history and fascinating people of Kansas. Ad Astra per Aspera!
8.31
Family ActivityTravel Around the World
10:30 – 11:30 AM / Spencer Museum of Art, Gallery 317 Central Court, Gallery 401, Gallery 404, Gallery 405, Gallery 406, Gallery 408
These tours followed by art-making activities occur on the final Saturday of every month / ages 5-8 / no registration necessary. Experience exciting, far-away places right here in the Museum, then create your own painted souvenir or travel journal inspired by your adventure.
