Fright for the Whole Family: U.Va. Art Museum Event to Focus on Poe-Inspired Art

October 15, 2009 — Children are invited to bring grown-ups to an afternoon of fun and hands-on creativity when the University of Virginia Art Museum continues its popular children's programming, the Family Art JAM. On Oct. 25, the museum will offer "Tell Tale Bones: Scary Stories and Sketching Skeletons" for children ages 5 to 12.

Family Art JAMs combine age-appropriate tours with hands-on art projects carefully planned to make the museum's exhibitions accessible to young children. This month the Family Art Jam will explore the work in the museum's exhibition "The Expanding Eye: Art Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe."

Families are invited to celebrate Halloween by listening to excerpts from stories by Poe and children's author Edward Gorey, and discussing what they like and don't like about being scared. Following the story hour and visit to the exhibition, children will learn about positive and negative space and try their hand at drawing from a human skeleton.

Activities for 5- to 7-year-olds will be from 1 to 3 p.m., and for 7- to 12-year-olds from 3 to 5 p.m. Children must be accompanied by adults.

Family Art JAMs are available to museum members for $10 for one adult with one or two children, and to non-members for $20. Additional children or adults can attend for $3 each. Museum membership is available for as little as $75 for families and $40 for seniors and U.Va. faculty and staff. Information on programs and membership levels is available at the museum's Web site,

To register for the Family Art JAM, call 434-243-2050 or send e-mail to museumoutreach@virginia.edu. The museum is located at 155 Rugby Road, a short walk from the Rotunda, across the street from Madison Bowl.

— By Jane Ford

Media Contact