Bryce Cebula, marketing and communication manager
There’s something special about the start of summer in the Midwest.
After months of snow-covered landscapes, gray skies, and bundled-up routines, the arrival of summer feels less like a season and more like a celebration. The days grow longer, the air turns warm, and every day seems to offer a concert, outdoor market, or community gathering.
The Museum is no exception. While we offer programming year-round, the energy shifts and opportunities expand when warmer weather arrives. The sculpture gardens opening allow visitors to not only explore the grounds, but also take their creative practices outdoors, with many programs being held on the Kathy Kelsey Foley Rooftop Sculpture Garden or in the Margaret Woodson Fisher Sculpture Garden.
The arrival of summertime also brings back some of our visitors’ favorite programs like Summer Art Sessions, Yoga in the Sculpture Garden, and the annual South Beach Up North performance in the galleries.
Tomorrow kicks off what I would call the official start of summer here at the Museum. Every first Thursday, the Museum is open until 7:30 pm for visitors to enjoy the galleries and grounds. In addition to the extended hours, we have three free evening programs designed to engage all ages and abilities.
At 4:30, our Museum educators will meet with the Art Buds crew. Children ages 5 – 8 are invited to join in on the fun and explore relief printing techniques, color theory, and connect the current exhibition, Hot Off the Press, with Maurice Sendak’s classic Where the Wild Things Are. Participants will be able to create art inspired by the exhibition and book and bring home a wild thing of their own!
While the kiddos are having a wild time, at 5:30, curators Shannon Pueschner and Amalia Wojciechowski will host part one of a three-part lecture series exploring the ideas behind Hot Off the Press. Night one will cover the curatorial process, and Shannon and Amalia will share insights on how their concepts came alive in the galleries to create this inspiring exhibition.
If staying indoors on a beautiful June evening isn’t for you, we got you covered! The Woodson is again partnering with 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness to provide free yoga classes in the Sculpture Garden! These beginner-friendly sessions combine gentle stretching and intentional movement with beautiful natural surroundings to create the perfect peaceful ending to your day.
The fun doesn’t end after tomorrow. We have a calendar full of programs and events that will keep you entertained all summer long. If you haven’t already, check out our online events calendar to see all the incredible offerings here at the Museum. Call up your family and friends, get registered, and mark your calendars. We are ready to make this our best summer yet!
