One Collection to Another: Exploring The Kreeger Museum

Compilation of images from paintings and sculpture from the Kreeger Museum's collection

Sculptures, paintings, architecture, and members of the Phillips’s communications staff at The Kreeger Museum. Photos: Amy Wike

To take advantage of the dwindling sunny days and for a little inspiration, the Phillips communications and marketing department recently took a field trip to the nearby Kreeger Museum. It was a treat to see some of the stars from our own collection—Braque, BonnardMonet, and Picasso, to name a few—in a new light, and I could spend days in the Dan Steinhilber: Marlin Underground exhibition (on view through Dec. 29, 2012). The image at lower left in the collage above is just a corner of the gargantuan inflatable sculpture Steinhilber has created for visitors to run around in.

Of particular note was this incredible watercolor by Piet Mondrian. After a lifetime of associating the name “Mondrian” with flat, grid paintings in primary colors, I had to do a triple-take of the artist name.

Located on Foxhall Road, the Kreeger is just down the street from the house Duncan and Marjorie Phillips built in 1929, affectionately named “Dunmarlin” after Duncan (father), Marjorie (mother), and Laughlin (son). The building no longer stands, but it housed the family after their residence at 21st and Q Streets was fully converted to a museum.

Amy Wike, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator

Art and Family Fun Around Town

My husband and son participating in the art activity at the Kreeger Museum. Photo: Brooke Rosenblatt

Phillips devotees know that the museum’s annual Jazz ‘n’ Families Fun Days occur on the first weekend in June, and we also have a great Discovery Pack for adults and children to use together when they visit the museum any day.

In addition to these resources, I’m always looking for new opportunities for  free-spirited, art-related family fun. This fall, several organizations in the metropolitan area are offering great programs, and best of all they are free! Here’s a recent adventure undertaken by my own museum-going family and a few upcoming events we’re looking forward to.

Last Sunday we participated in the Biennial Kreeger Museum Open House. My husband, our two-year-old son, and I all enjoyed the story time and the sculptural stick art project designed by Eileen Wold. We took the opportunity to experience Dan Steinhilber’s special exhibition Marlin Underground. My son particularly loved seeing how the artist used an array of everyday objects to make music.

October offers other free opportunities for families at area cultural organizations. This Sunday, we’re headed to Artisphere for  Free Family Day Open House. We went last year and discovered a magic performance by David London, who I’m pleased to see will return this year. Later in the month we’re checking out the Corcoran’s Community Day, which looks really great with a series of fun art making workshops.

Hope to see you there, and please feel free to share other family-oriented  programs you know about in the comments section!