Cruise with Canaletto: National Gallery of Art offers summer fun for kids

2 June 2010 - by ArtfixDaily Staff

Young visitors to the National Gallery of Art (ages 4–7) explore the collection through the engaging "Stories in Art" program.

(Photo © Dennis Brack, Black Star, Courtesy National Gallery of Art.)

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Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci (c. 1474/1478), one of the works explored in the free Children's Audio Tour: West Building Highlights. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

In Washington, D.C., the National Gallery of Art is a summer destination with a number of free, drop-in programs perfectly tailored for children of all ages.

Among the many choices of art-centric activities is the Stories in Art series, beginning with a cycle of events themed "Explore Italy." Children, ages 4-7, get a "Passport" to "meet" Italian artists such as Canaletto. Then the budding artists take a journey through the Venetian canals examined in his paintings, culminating in the creation of their own oil-pastel renditions of Venice.

The day can start (or end) with true Italian fare at the Espresso & Gelato Bar in museum's East Building.

Read more about family activities at the National Gallery of Art.

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