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Gibbes Museum of Art to Host Free Day of Animals, Art and Exploration 2023

Families doing yoga

The Gibbes Museum of Art is excited to announce a full day of animals, art and engaging activities for the whole family that is free and open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 25. Animal Adventures Family Day, in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition of Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art, will offer something for everyone, including animal pose yoga, art making, a photo booth, bunny cuddles and more.

The works in Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art dynamically confront categorizations and speak to the significance of wildlife in art in unconventional ways. The exhibition considers the diverse ways contemporary artists use animal imagery to address humanity’s interconnectedness with the natural world, exploring themes of tradition, politics, science and aesthetics to investigate the ways we use this imagery to tackle human concerns. The Gibbes will display this special exhibition of works on loan from the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyo. from Feb. 3 – April 16, 2023.

“The Un/Natural Selections exhibition encourages viewers to consider their own relationship with the natural world, and we are thrilled to offer this special programming for the public to engage with wildlife and wildlife art,” says Angela Mack, executive director of the Gibbes Museum of Art. “The Gibbes welcomes families to explore the natural world with us and our community partners on Animal Adventures Family Day.”

Event Schedule

  • Animal Pose Yoga, 10:30 – 11 a.m. and 12 – 12:30 p.m.
  • Family Storytime with the Charleston County Public Library, 11 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 1 p.m.
  • Drop-in art activity with Janellify, 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 1:30 p.m.
  • Photo booth and face painting, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Garden exhibition booths and animal encounters with event partners, 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Traditional Folk Tales with Minerva King, 2 – 2:30 p.m.
  • FernGully film screening, 3:15 – 4:45 p.m.

Food and Snacks

The Riverdogs Food Truck will be onsite from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. selling delicious ballpark treats and Independent Grounds will be onsite from 1 – 3 p.m. with a hot chocolate bar and sweet pick-me-ups.

Low Stimulation Room

The Gibbes is offering a low stimulation room for Animal Adventure Day with minimal sounds, lowered lights and comfortable seating. This room will be located on the first floor of the museum and will be available to all patrons of the event. Please contact Becca Hiester with any questions regarding accessibility and inclusion for this event at [email protected].

Event Partners

Cape Romaine National Wildlife Refuge, Charleston County Parks and Recreation, Charleston County Public Library, Charleston Parks Conservancy, Grow with the Flow Homestead, Independent Grounds, Minerva King – Storyteller, South Carolina Aquarium, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources – Marine Resources and Thomas Photographers

This program is made possible by the generous support of Art Bridges. For more information and a detailed schedule of events, visit www.gibbesmuseum.org.

Published February 2, 2023

Top Image: Animal Pose Yoga. Photo by Thomas Photographers

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