Newport News & Hampton, Va

The Peninsula Fine Arts Center is holding ARTventures Saturday with animal art activities and African mask making during a Free Admission Weekend, Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, Feb. 5, 1 to 5 pm.

From 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, children and adults can participate in activities inspired by Pfac’s current exhibition the 51^stAnimal Annual Art and the Animal Exhibition of The Society of Animal Artists, which features an emphasis on realism in the portrayal of animals in art, as well as the Seeing Mali photographicexhibition by photographer Eliot Elisofon. Pfac members enjoy these art activities for free while non-members pay $2 per person ages 4 and up.

Saturday’s family-friendly schedule includes a demonstration from animal artist and Pfac instructor, Melanie Hartman. As guests watch her create original works of art right before their eyes, they are invited to participate in the fun and create their own animal artwork in their sketchbooks provided by Pfac.

Saturday’s visitors can join Pfac docents on a tour through the Art and the Animal exhibition, viewing the impressive works of art from artists from all over the world. As guests view the works, they are encouraged to express themselves by selecting a work of art and describing how it makes them feel.    

In keeping with the spirit of animal inspiration, the Hands On For Kids gallery is stocked with materials that children can use to create their own animal puppets with the assistance of Pfac volunteers.

The weekend activities also include a culture immersion into The Republic of Mali, courtesy of internationally renowned photographer Eliot Elisofon. Inspired by his photographs in the exhibition, Seeing Mali, children can explore the culture of Mali and experience a special African mask making activity. This remarkable exhibition and other educational materials are available for loan from Pfac.  

Free weekends are made possible by a grant from the Noland Foundation. The Peninsula Fine Arts Center is located at 101 Museum Drive within Mariners’ Museum Park in Newport News,VA. For more information, visit www.pfac-va.org or call 757-596-8175.