3 pictures of kids at the museum in Stampede and in the 3D studio

December 2017 Family Fun

December is packed full of things for families to do at the DAM. The North Building might be closed, but there is so much to do in the Hamilton Building, you may want to come back multiple times to join in all the fun! As always, youth 18 and under receive free general admission to the DAM.

A New Create-n-Take: Starting December 2 (available weekends and school breaks)

Visit the newly imagined Create-n-Take and make art in the galleries) called Sew Wild opening with a whole additional floor of galleries extending the exhibition, Stampede: Animals in Art. Sew your own animal-inspired story inspired by Carol Eckert’s sculpture Beware of Cranes. Visitors will get to explore the technique of sewing, while discovering the symbolism and lore behind many animals such as a crane, wolf, leopard, and snake.

This Create-n-Take is located on level 4 of the Hamilton building, while the other Create-n-Take, Home on the Range continues on the level 3 in the Stampede exhibition. Explore the concept of abstraction by layering and mixing colors to create your own landscape that reminds you of home.

Free First Saturday: December 2

Free First Saturday on December 2 will see the opening of a brand new family space and Create-n-Take. Take a walk on the wild side in the newly installed family space, A Walk in the Woods, that’s all about animals! Play, imagine, and make art to take home. Spot birds in a colorful flock, mix-and-match animal costumes to create new creatures; build freestanding horse sculptures inspired by artist Deborah Butterfield, and make a shadowbox to display your favorite creatures.

And of course on Free First Saturday, drop in and listen to the stories behind the objects with storytellers during our bilingual program Cuentos del Arte. Stories are at 11:30 am and 1 pm.

Foxy & Shmoxy: December 10

On December 10, our resident fox art detectives will be at it again with a new clue. Pick up a letter from the Fox Box and follow the hints and (paw) prints to catch Foxy and Shmoxy: Art Detectives in the galleries at 10:30 am and 11:30 am. Catch these fox super-sleuths in action!

Create Playdate: December 13

Create Playdate returns with hands-on activities for kids ages 3-5 and their adults. Join us on December 13, from 10 am to 1 pm as we head into Stampede, Level 3 to see the colors and textures of Gugger Petter’s Dog Barking at Two Women and to weave walkable dogs with newspaper. Denver Public Library visits for a dog-themed story time.

Family-Friendly Play: December 22January 7

December means Winter Break! School’s out and we’re in – join us for the DAM’s Winter Break, December 22–January 7. We are excited to premier the newest family-friendly play, Art Emergency: Stampede Edition. In this play, your help is needed to decide which work of art in the exhibition; Stampede gets the coveted “Arty” award. The play is fast-paced and funny, and gives visitors amazing insight into some of the most beloved artworks at the DAM. Art Emergency debuts on Friday, December 22 and every weekday at 11 am except Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and January 4.

So much to do – we can’t wait to see you in December!

Images at top: A visitor in Stampede in front of Crow Dance. Rick Bartow (Wiyot), Crow Dance, painting, 2014. Acrylic paint and graphite on unstretched canvas, H: 73in; W: 96in. Courtesy of Froelick Gallery, Portland, OR. Photo courtesy Instagrammer @tarinleach. Visitors in the 3-D Studio at the DAM.