Raising Creative Kids Programs in July and August Welcome kids and their Adults to Play and Explore in our Backyard
Minneapolis, June 29, 2011—The Walker Art Center’s Raising Creative Kids program in July and August offers kids and their adults many (free) ways to celebrate summer. Free First Saturday in July, Indie-pendence Day (Saturday, July 2), features a celebration with by Gustafer Yellowgold, aptly described by the New York Times as “A cross between Yellow Submarine and Dr. Seuss” and LARP: Live Action Role-Playing (Saturday, August 6). Also in July and August, the Walker presents Arty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate, the popular program designed to nurture creativity and engage a child’s mind. Arty Pants programs are presented on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and feature art projects, films, gallery activities, and story readings.
A complete listing of Raising Creative Kids programs in July and August follows.
Free First Saturdays Are for Families
Activities are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis from
10 am–3 pm. Gallery admission is free from 10 am–5 pm on Free First Saturday.
Families can enjoy live performances, films, gallery adventures, and hands-on art-making from 10 am–3 pm. Activities recommended for ages 6–12.
July Free First Saturday: Indie-pendence Day
Saturday, July 2, 10 am–3 pm Free
Join us for a celebration by Gustafer Yellowgold that includes performance animation, storytelling, and live music. Jamal Denman (aka DJ Mal) offers a chance to experience the Genesis: A Journey through the Evolution of Hip-Hop Culture, featuring workshops on dance, beatboxing, drumming, and more.
Since his creation by Morgan Taylor in 2005, Gustafer Yellowgold has become an international phenomenon. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Morgan Taylor moved to New York City in 1999, residing there
for a decade while honing his songwriting skills and establishing himself as a sound engineer. He has released several CDs, including the 70-song box set, Box of Monster.
Taking a rest from the “normal” world of rock music, Taylor, a self-taught illustrator, began drawing what would become the Gustafer Yellowgold videos as a picture book project in winter 2004. Gustafer himself is a friendly creature who came to earth from the sun and is living out an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods. Gustafer Yellowgold’s show is a multi-media performance of live music, animated illustrations and storytelling. With its unique crossover appeal, the show has been the wild-card opening act for Wilco and The Polyphonic Spree. Gustafer made his off-Broadway debut in 2008 with Gustafer Yellowgold’s Mellow Sensation and will return to the DR2 Theatre in February 2011 for a run of Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock. Gustafer has toured nationally to arts centers, children’s museums, theaters and music venues, with additional performances in the U.K and Korea. Taylor’s other projects have included playing bass for The Autumn Defense (featuring John Stirratt and Pat Sansone from Wilco) and a recording project with Tony Award-winning songwriter Duncan Sheik.
August Free First Saturday: LARP: Live Action Role Playing
Saturday, August 6, 10 am–3 pm Free
Families should come prepared for a crazy day of live action role playing (LARP). Part of a weekend-long project produced by the Soap Factory, the Amazing Adventures of the Corporate Wizard in the Land of LARP takes the field for an epic battle among role players of all kinds. Everyone is invited to create costumes, spell packets, and artifacts of all kinds. And jump into the game.
Arty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate
Parents and caregivers with youngsters ages 3–5 have a fun way to find artistic inspiration with Arty Pants: Your Tuesday Playdate. Activities designed to cultivate your child’s creative nature include art-making, films, stories, and gallery activities. Meet other families for a treat at the Garden Café. Activities are free with gallery admission; free for children and members.
Tuesdays, July 12 and 26; August 9 and 23, 11 am–1 pm
Recommended for children ages 3–5 and adults
Free with gallery admission; free for children and members
Arty Pants Art-making Activities in July/August: Garden Expeditions
Travel through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with special hands-on kits to explore the wildlife. Make art about the plants on an imaginary world, devise a vehicle to explore remote locations, or dream up exotic cuisine discovered on your escapades. Cool off indoors and watch a clay animation short about a picnic gone wrong, or listen to stories about adventures in far-off places.
Summer Family Fun at the Walker
Open Field
Spend your summer at the Walker! Open Field, a community celebration of the Twin Cities’ creative spirit, is back for another year bringing exciting ways for you and your family to have a good time—all the time.
WAC Packs for the Garden and Galleries
Enhance your artistic escapade with these hands-on activity packs. Games, story-telling, and art-making will enliven artworks for the whole family.
Tool Shed
Come play in our backyard. We have board games, art-making kits, lawn activities, hula hoops, and more to let you find a family experience that’s just right for you.
Garden Grill
Forget your snacks? Grab burgers, brats, or vegetarian selections for an impromptu picnic. We have plenty of sides and house made lemonade by local favorite D’Amico.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Go on a quest. Unravel riddles with our digital scavenger hunt. Or take an activity sheet that will get you hopping, skipping, and smiling all around the garden.
Get all the latest details about family fun at the Walker by signing up for family e-mails at family.list@walker.org.