Exploring Abilene: Plenty of Fun to be Had
By: Trish Dressen, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
Updated: April 5, 2012
"If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good." - Dr. Seuss
Take a cue from Dr. Seuss and explore Abilene differently this weekend! You never know what adventures await you or what fun could be had.
Check out the amazing exhibits at the Grace Museum in downtown Abilene. Missing family, friends or home? Why not pop into the Grace to see the Sedrick Huckaby exhibit entitled, "Faith and Family." Huckaby uses everyday aspects of his own personal life and takes inspiration from simple things: family members, homes and more, to create multifaceted paintings. These complex works of art draws you in and makes you feel at home. This is a must see exhibit.
Interested in photography or an avid people watcher? The exhibit, "Friends & Neighbors: The Art of Photographing People" will surely give you a thrill. The exhibition is a study in varying approaches to photographing people including formal portraiture, documentary, fine art and avant-garde photography. Whether the locale is the war torn Middle East or a bunk house in rural West Texas, the photographs in this exhibition viewed together remind us of the power of the camera as a tool in the hands of a dedicated and talented photographer to transform a moment in time into a meaningful, expressive and profound statement about the human experience. The Grace Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 10 am to 8 p.m. Need more info? Contact Emerald Cardenas at 325-673-4587.
House full of kiddos this weekend? Start your Friday off at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) for their April Art Adventure at 10:30 a.m.. Moms and tots are invited to this preschool program to explore the works in the gallery through visual art and verbal literacy. Can't make the Art Adventure Friday morning? No worries because Family Fun Saturday is back from 1-4 p.m. NCCIL art educators help you and your little ones create works of art using the style and medium of the featured artist in the gallery, Dan Yaccarino. Yaccarion's work is currently on display at the National Center for Children's Literature in downtown Abilene. Children from all over the world know and love his works such as Unlovable, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, Five Little Pumpkins and more. Admission is free for both programs. For more information visit: http://nccil.org/. Make memories with your little ones that will last a lifetime.
Speaking of making memories, have you marked your calendars for the Children's Art and Literacy Festival (CALF) June 14-17, 2012? This year's festival will feature the works of Dr. Seuss. The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) and The Center for Contemporary Arts will exhibit more than 200 of Dr. Seuss' paintings, sketches and sculptures. The Art of Dr. Seuss - A Retrospective Exhibition organized by Chase Art Companies and curator, William W. Deyer, celebrates the art and life of Theodor Seuss Geisel.During the festival, downtown Abilene will be transformed into the imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. Children will enjoy dramatic presentations from seven Dr. Seuss books throughout the weekend with art activities held after certain readings. They can meet the characters, see the movies and explore the art works while visiting the landmarks of Abilene. Six bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss' most beloved characters will be displayed throughout downtown. At the Abilene Zoo, visitors can board the Dr. Seuss inspired Safari Express Train to see animals, birds and reptiles.
The weekend is not just for children! Theodore Geisel began his career as a cartoonist and was a prolific artist whose works span 65 years. His early works include his art as a cartoonist for children's books, drawings featured in Life magazine and book illustrations. On display will be original and reproduced memorabilia spanning Geisel's editorial, advertising, military and book careers, along with estate authorized reproductions of his "Secret Art" collection.
CALF is sponsored by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to promote, encourage and support the arts, and to enhance the image of Abilene as a center for the arts. The annual festival will feature a new artist next year.
Remember what Dr. Seuss says and have fun this weekend!
For even more information on attractions, fun things to do, or great events, check out our calendar available online at www.abilenevisitors.com. To keep connected throughout the week, follow us on Twitter @AbileneCVB or like us on Facebook (Abilene, Texas).
Take a cue from Dr. Seuss and explore Abilene differently this weekend! You never know what adventures await you or what fun could be had.
Check out the amazing exhibits at the Grace Museum in downtown Abilene. Missing family, friends or home? Why not pop into the Grace to see the Sedrick Huckaby exhibit entitled, "Faith and Family." Huckaby uses everyday aspects of his own personal life and takes inspiration from simple things: family members, homes and more, to create multifaceted paintings. These complex works of art draws you in and makes you feel at home. This is a must see exhibit.
Interested in photography or an avid people watcher? The exhibit, "Friends & Neighbors: The Art of Photographing People" will surely give you a thrill. The exhibition is a study in varying approaches to photographing people including formal portraiture, documentary, fine art and avant-garde photography. Whether the locale is the war torn Middle East or a bunk house in rural West Texas, the photographs in this exhibition viewed together remind us of the power of the camera as a tool in the hands of a dedicated and talented photographer to transform a moment in time into a meaningful, expressive and profound statement about the human experience. The Grace Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 10 am to 8 p.m. Need more info? Contact Emerald Cardenas at 325-673-4587.
House full of kiddos this weekend? Start your Friday off at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) for their April Art Adventure at 10:30 a.m.. Moms and tots are invited to this preschool program to explore the works in the gallery through visual art and verbal literacy. Can't make the Art Adventure Friday morning? No worries because Family Fun Saturday is back from 1-4 p.m. NCCIL art educators help you and your little ones create works of art using the style and medium of the featured artist in the gallery, Dan Yaccarino. Yaccarion's work is currently on display at the National Center for Children's Literature in downtown Abilene. Children from all over the world know and love his works such as Unlovable, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, Five Little Pumpkins and more. Admission is free for both programs. For more information visit: http://nccil.org/. Make memories with your little ones that will last a lifetime.
Speaking of making memories, have you marked your calendars for the Children's Art and Literacy Festival (CALF) June 14-17, 2012? This year's festival will feature the works of Dr. Seuss. The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) and The Center for Contemporary Arts will exhibit more than 200 of Dr. Seuss' paintings, sketches and sculptures. The Art of Dr. Seuss - A Retrospective Exhibition organized by Chase Art Companies and curator, William W. Deyer, celebrates the art and life of Theodor Seuss Geisel.During the festival, downtown Abilene will be transformed into the imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. Children will enjoy dramatic presentations from seven Dr. Seuss books throughout the weekend with art activities held after certain readings. They can meet the characters, see the movies and explore the art works while visiting the landmarks of Abilene. Six bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss' most beloved characters will be displayed throughout downtown. At the Abilene Zoo, visitors can board the Dr. Seuss inspired Safari Express Train to see animals, birds and reptiles.
The weekend is not just for children! Theodore Geisel began his career as a cartoonist and was a prolific artist whose works span 65 years. His early works include his art as a cartoonist for children's books, drawings featured in Life magazine and book illustrations. On display will be original and reproduced memorabilia spanning Geisel's editorial, advertising, military and book careers, along with estate authorized reproductions of his "Secret Art" collection.
CALF is sponsored by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to promote, encourage and support the arts, and to enhance the image of Abilene as a center for the arts. The annual festival will feature a new artist next year.
Remember what Dr. Seuss says and have fun this weekend!
For even more information on attractions, fun things to do, or great events, check out our calendar available online at www.abilenevisitors.com. To keep connected throughout the week, follow us on Twitter @AbileneCVB or like us on Facebook (Abilene, Texas).
