GO GREEN AT EARTH FIRST FAMILY DAY!
June 20 at Corcoran Gallery of Art

May 6, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Corcoran Gallery of Art will host Earth First Family Day on Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day-long, free celebration features musical performances, art activities, face-painting, gallery tours, puppet performances and more!

Inspired by the Corcoran’s current exhibitions, Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes and Nature as Nation, Earth First Family Day celebrates
the earth with an exciting lineup of eco-friendly and fun activities for all ages. The Gallery's atrium will be filled with the sounds of rhythmic reggae music by Oasis Island Sounds and the well-known indierock
band, Milkshake, whose award-winning music has been featured on PBS KIDS Share the Earth Day and Discovery Kids' hit show ToddWorld.

The popular Blue Sky Puppet Theatre will perform “Lights Out on the Bunny Brothers,” a production of rod puppets, a costumed actor, and a 14-foot tall puppet representing Mother Nature. Families can also enjoy face-painting and a variety of eco-friendly art-making activities including: how to make wearable art from recycled materials, led by artist Kathleen Manning; nature prints with printmaker, Manuel Navarette; and clay sculptures with ceramicist, Amanda Delgado.

Organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and The Potomac Conservancy will host conservation stations where families can learn easy tips on caring for the earth. Nature trail tours through the galleries will depart every 20 minutes and a prize-giveaway, which includes family memberships to the Corcoran and an original iris-print by nationally acclaimed artist, William Christenberry, will
conclude the day’s activities.

Healthy, natural food options will be available from the Corcoran’s new eco-vendor, On The Fly®. A complete schedule by activity is as follows.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

Reggae Music—let the tide and tunes of Oasis Island Sounds carry you to the Caribbean coast from 10–11:30 a.m.

Puppet Plays—learn how to do your part in
saving the world in the puppet play, “Lights out
on the Bunny Brothers,” by Blue Sky Puppet
Theater at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m. and 12:20 p.m.

Milkshake Concert—Rock and roll with Milkshake’s earth-loving, indie-rock music (featured in PBS KIDS and Discovery Kids) from 1–2 p.m.

HANDS-ON ART WORKSHOPS

Recycled Wearables—Recycling never looked so good. Create jewelry, bands, and other wearable art with artist Kathleen Manning from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Clay Creations—Get your hands dirty sculpting volcanoes, trees, riverbeds, and more with ceramicist Amanda Delgado from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Nature Prints—Transfer nature’smost beautiful patterns and designs onto paper with local printmaker Manuel Navarette from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

GALLERY ADVENTURES

Indoor Nature Walks—Pack your hiking gear for a trek across breathtaking landscapes in the Gallery, departing every 20 minutes from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Conservation Stations—Get easy tips from environmentalists on how you can care for the Earth from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Face Painting—Become your own work of art with face painting by About Faces from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY—Prizes include eco-friendly gifts, family memberships, art, and more. Prize Giveaway takes place at 12:45 p.m. Register to win before 12:30 p.m.

FREE SUMMER SATURDAYS AT THE CORCORAN
Earth First Family Day on June 20 will kick-off Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Visitors will enjoy the Corcoran’s summer exhibitions and family programming free of admission on
Saturdays through August 29. A sampling of Saturday programming will include:

Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Workshop* for adults with a focus on Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes, Gallery activities and hands-on projects.

Saturday, July 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 pm – “Natural Impressions” Family Workshop*, Gallery activities and hands-on projects.

Saturday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Performances in the Gallery.

Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – “Architecture Day” including interior and exterior tours of the Corcoran’s historic Beaux Arts building.

Saturday, August 1from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Workshops* for adults with a focus on American paintings from the Corcoran’s collection, Gallery activities and a silkscreen project.

Saturday, August 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – “Horizon Line” Family Workshop*, Gallery activities and hands-on projects.

*Workshops may incur an $8-$12 materials fee per participant.

YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS AT THE CORCORAN

In addition to Family Day, the Corcoran offers a wide array of fun and educational activities for young people and their families: monthly family workshops introduce children and their parents to exhibition
themes through interactive tours and hands-on activities; after-school and weekend Aspiring Artists classes provide formal instruction that focuses on skill development and opens dialogues about broader
art concepts; Camp Creativity in the summer offers young people new avenues of self-expression and understanding of their creative potential; Mini-Camp brings students up close and personal with the
current special exhibition during spring break; and Pre-College classes expose high school juniors and seniors to the Corcoran’s challenging and creative environment and help them build strong portfolios for
college admission and undergraduate success. For more information about Youth and Family Programs at the Corcoran, visit www.corcoran.org/family.

Free Summer Saturdays at the Corcoran are made possible by a generous grant from the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Family Day is sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton. Additional support
provided by the Junior League of Washington.

Photography by Melissa Green.

CONTACT:

Kristin Guiter, Head of PR,
(202) 639-1867, kguiter@corcoran.org

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