February 11, 2010 — Families are invited to an afternoon of fun and hands-on creativity as the University of Virginia Art Museum continues its monthly children's program, the Family Art JAM. On Feb. 21, the museum will offer "Ritual and Tradition: Understanding Chinese Sculpture" for children ages 5 to 12.

Family Art JAMs combine age-appropriate tours with hands-on art projects planned to make the museum's exhibitions accessible to young children.

This month, children will learn about the gestures of the Buddha, discuss the figures represented in the exhibition "Treasures Rediscovered: Chinese Stone Sculpture from the Sackler Collections at Columbia University" and carve their own guardian figures from synthetic stone.

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, www.virginia.edu/artmuseum.

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