National Museum of African Art

1. Credit Line: Gift of the Roy and Brigitta Mitchell Collection (Ghana)March 4 1:30–3:30 p.m. Throughout Africa, pendants of varying intricacy, material, symbolism, and meaning reflect individual cultures and regions. Pendants and charms are not only a way of “dressing up” and feeling elegant, but also indicate one’s status, bring good fortune, and protect their owners. Examine the complex designs of the various jewelry and metal objects on exhibit before creating a piece of your own. Participants under 16 must…

Credit Line: Museum purchase, GhanaMarch 18 1:30–3:30 p.m. Create a red-carpet masterpiece on painters canvas with fashion designer Almira Leónché. Discover your creative side as you design, choose fabric, and embellish an evening gown or cocktail dress to make a 3-D wall art piece to remember. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

. Credit Line: Museum purchase (Congo /Gabon)April 1 1:30–3:30 p.m. Learn about the art of the kingdom of Benin and how its artists used a stylized African eye motif throughout their sculpture. Then, breakdown the shapes of this traditional design element to create your own contemporary abstract work of art. Emphasis will be placed on the elements of art—line, shape, color, and texture—and the principles of balance, rhythm, emphasis, and harmony. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult…

Photo Credit Aida MadyApril 15 1:30–3:30 p.m. Egypt is not only famous for pyramids and ancient history but also for the amazing food influenced by the convergence of several civilizations in the region. Join gourmet chef Aida Mady as she shares her love and indigenous knowledge of Egypt’s culinary arts. Learn about the use and health benefits of traditional spices before making a special dessert. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. Robert Woods BlissMay 6 1:30–3:30 p.m. Throughout Africa, amulets, decorated pouches, and charms are worn to bring good fortune or protect their owners. Learn more about this ancient tradition and create your own to ensure well-being. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

Credit Line: Museum purchase (Ghana)May 20 1:30–3:30 p.m. Adinkra symbols, visual representations of concepts and proverbs developed by the Akan peoples of Ghana, were originally used on funerary cloths by royalty and wealthy individuals to pay tribute to the legacy of the deceased. Today, they are used extensively as decorative elements in textiles and design. Join graphic artist and designer Sharmila Karamchandani to learn about adinkra symbols before incorporating them into a one-of-a-kind card. Participants under 16 must be accompanied…

Credit Line: Museum purchase (Ghana)June 3 1:30–3:30 p.m. Just as contemporary artists create artworks that reveal not only themselves, but their thoughts about economic, political, and environmental climates, participants will explore personal thoughts about themselves to compose a poem that defines who they are. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

July 1 1:30–3:30 p.m. Uli patterns are used by Igbo women to decorate their bodies and the exterior of their houses. Mimicking the fabric paintings of the Nsukka artists who often explored uli’s fluid lines and symbols for inspiration, participants incorporate uli patterns into their fabric creations. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

Gora Mbengue1931–1988, b. SenegalSheikh Amadou Bamba July 15 1:30–3:30 p.m. The term fixe painting (suwer or sous-verre, “under the glass”) describes the reverse glass painting that flourished in Senegal. Create your own unique art using this technique. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

August 5 1:30–3:30 p.m. Learn the basics of coiling—a method widely used throughout Africa to make incredible pottery and basket vessels. Stop by the museum to discover this essential technique and craft a basket from paper coils. Shape, color, texture, and decoration are limited only by your imagination. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

Photo credit: Artise FletcherAugust 19 1:30–3:30 p.m. Create a red-carpet masterpiece on painters canvas with fashion designer Almira Leónché. Discover your creative side as you design, choose fabric, and embellish an evening gown or cocktail dress to make a 3-D wall art piece to remember. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served

September 2 1:30–3:30 p.m. Just as contemporary artists create artworks that reveal not only themselves, but their thoughts about economic, political, and environmental climates, participants will explore personal thoughts about themselves to compose a poem that defines who they are. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult First come, first served