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Currier Museum offers children’s events

MANCHESTER – In a big, bright room in the Currier Museum of Art, children can make their own art creations. They do their work right below galleries where some of the world’s great art is on display: a sculpture by Henri Matisse, a mobile by Alexander Calder and paintings by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Edward Hooper.

On the second Saturday morning of each month, the museum opens its doors for Family Saturdays, when parents and children can work on arts and crafts together and take a brief guided tour of the museum’s treasures, all free to New Hampshire residents.

The Jan. 13 Family Saturday attracted many families, including Hindi Durant, of Bedford, who said she has been coming here with her 8-year-old daughter, Isabel, since she was 2.

“They do a very good job,” Durant said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity” to expose children to art, and “a great way to get out of the house on a yucky day.”

Isabel also has taken classes at the Currier’s Art Center, attended a two-week summer camp here and took part in noisy and joyful noon-time New Year’s Eve party.

Sadie Barton was in charge of the studio, and she said it’s typical to have about 80 people during the course of the morning. The craft is usually based on a museum exhibit, and this day it was “Seeing Red” with the art focused on the most vivid primary color.

Another family program offered by the Currier is Storytime in the Gallery, on most Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and free with museum admission. Children hear an art-related story, then create their own work of art.

On Jan. 22, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. a children’s librarian will read “In the Garden with Van Gogh,” by Julie Merberg, and then children will create their own impressionist paintings.

Both programs are recommended for ages 2 to 5, but all are welcome.

Children 12 and under always have free admission to the museum.

For more information, call 603-669-6144 or go to www.currier.org.

Kathy Cleveland can be reached at 673-3100 or kcleveland@cabinet.com.

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