6/9/2010 - Avoid Summer Brain Drain at the County Museum

Summer days will be packed with fun-filled activities for the whole family at the San Bernardino County Museum. With drop-in activities from drawing basket designs to playing with old fashioned toys or creating music and art works in a variety of media, every member of the family will have fun while keeping their brain skills fresh. In addition, community artists will lead visitors in art-making workshops. Topics for artist-led events include making pop-up cards, designing graphic lettering, improving point-and-shoot camera photos, painting to music, and working with clay. All these activities are included with paid museum admission.

Avoid Summer Brain Drain activities will start June 16 and run through early September. Drop-in activities will be available from 11am to at least 3pm every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and most Thursdays. More days and hours will be added throughout the summer and updates will be posted on the museum’s web site. Drop-in activities will include making rattles and creating simple rhythm compositions, making accordion books, playing with building blocks and old-fashioned toys, chalk art and painting, and more.

Workshops led by professional artists are available on specified dates on a first-come basis. Visitors can obtain tickets at the museum admission desk the day of the activity, as space is limited in most workshops. Most art-making activities are appropriate for all ages; youngsters under 6 will enjoy many activities with the help of parents or attending adults. Groups interested in attending workshops should call (909) 307-2669 ext. 256 to ensure space is available.

Pop-Up Greeting Cards, Chalk Art Murals, and Made-Simple workshops: Artist-led workshops give participants a chance to explore basic skills applied to selected media. For photography, bring your own point-and-shot or cell phone camera; all other materials provided.

Basket Design Drawing workshop: Artist led drawing techniques will help visitors create a unique design, inspired by baskets in the “Generations of Symbols” basket exhibit. All drawings left with the museum will be exhibited in the Hall of History for five weeks.

Family Fun Days: Music Around Us: Explore various facets of music, from instrument making, learning simple rhythms and composing musical works, to creative dance and more.

Traditional Indian Basket Making workshop: Participants will explore types of basket-making plants and how they are gathered, and will weave their own basket in the traditional coiled basket method of the southern California Indians. Cost for two day workshop is $25, and is appropriate for adults and children ages 12 and up. Reservations required.

Exploring Nature with Billy B Concert: this special song and creative movement concert is appropriate for young children and their families. Prepare to get up and move with the beat, learn fun songs about nature, and dance the evening away. Come early to enjoy the Museum, and bring a picnic supper to enjoy in the courtyard. Museum will be open until 8pm; concert begins at 6:30pm.

Graphic Lettering workshops: Graphic arts are all around us. Explore simple to involved lettering techniques. This pair of workshops will introduce basic techniques, explore how you can earn money creating graphic designs, and offer some creative projects to show off your work. Workshops are geared to adults and students aged 12 and up. Youth may attend alone or with friends or family members. Reservations recommended.

Workshop topics, dates and times will be as follows:

Friday June 18—Put POP in your Greeting Cards, 10am, 1pm and 3pm—just in time for Father’s Day

Saturday June 19—Put POP in your Greeting Cards, 10am, 1pm and 3pm—just in time for Father’s Day

Saturday June 19—Basket Design Drawings, 11am–4pm continuous

Friday June 25—Painting Meets Music, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday June 26—Graphic Lettering Art: Lettering for Fun: 9am–noon and 2–5pm (3-hour workshops appropriate for ages 12 and up)

Saturday June 26—Chalk Art Murals, 10am–4pm continuous

Friday July 2—Drawing Made Simple: Wildlife, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Friday July 9—Exploring Nature with Billy B concert, 6:30-8pm. Come early to enjoy the museum and bring a picnic supper.

Friday July 16—Painting Made Simple: Watercolor, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday July 17—Graphic Lettering Art: Lettering for Profit, 9am–noon and 2–5pm (3-hour workshops appropriate for ages 12 and up)

Sunday July 18—Photography Made Simple: Landscapes, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday July 24—Basket Design Drawings, 11am–4pm continuous

Saturday July 31—Family Fun Day: Music Around Us, 11am–4pm continuous

Saturday and Sunday August 7 and 8—Traditional Indian Basket Making 2-day Workshop with Lorene Sisquoc, 9am–5pm both days. $25 fee applies.

Friday August 13—Photography Made Simple: Portraiture, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday August 14—Chalk Art Murals, 11am–4pm continuous

Friday August 20—Put POP in your Greeting Cards, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday August 21—Painting Meets Music, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Sunday August 22—Photography Made Simple: Still Life, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday August 28—Basket Design Drawings, 11am–4pm

Sunday September 12—Photography Made Simple: Culmination (an off-site workshop will meet at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands, 2–4pm)

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 am to 5pm. General admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is (909) 307-2669 ext. 229 or TDD (909) 792-1462.