This year marks the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth’s 125th anniversary. The Modern is the oldest museum in Texas and one of the oldest in the country. The Anniversary Class provides a peek into this rich history, as well as a coveted visit to the Modern’s vault – a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity.

The Anniversary Class will explore works on paper, both old and new, in the Modern’s permanent collection through drawing, photography, and experimental printmaking. Three distinguished local artists will lead participants in discussions and specially designed studio projects over 10 weeks.

Whether participating with a group of friends or taking the lead to try something new on your own, you will leave with an enhanced appreciation for art and the hidden treasures in the Modern’s collection.

Space is limited; enroll by registering online.

Cost:
Members $175
Nonmembers $200
All materials are provided.

September 15, 22, and 29, 1–4 pm
With artist Kalee Appleton
@kaleeappleton

October 6, 13, and 20, 1–4 pm
With artist Sydney Webb
@sydwebbstudios

October 27 and November 3, 10, and 17, 1–4 pm
With artist Kristen Cochran
@cathedrals_of_jelly

Sonya Cisneros is Membership/Special Events Manager at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Since 2008, she has written for a variety of publications and blogs, including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, DFW.com, Indulge and Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine, where she served as Associate Editor. Sonya is an alumnae of the Bob Schieffer College of Communication School of Journalism at TCU and continues to write on a freelance basis.

The post Access the Modern’s Vaults first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Don’t read this book on the beach. Not by the pool. Don’t read it on a plane or in front of your kids, husband, or significant other. Only with your dog, who can withstand a torrent of tears.

It’s not surprising that a book of historical fiction surrounding World War II and the Holocaust would elicit grief for one of the most evil periods in history. It should. What author Kristin Hannah achieves is a relationship between the reader and characters in the novel whose struggle, strife and victories ring relevant to the human experience today. Her words illuminate a part of war often untold – the stories of those left behind. The story of the people left in their homes to live their life as if their entire world wasn’t crumbling.

Named a Top Five Book by Amazon and #1 New York Times Best Seller, it’s an absolute must-read.

Intertwined with the author’s extensive research, the plot weaves together the lives of two sisters, Isabelle and Vianne, whose duality in personality is separated by years and experience – both resolving abandonment from their father in very different ways.

When Vianne’s husband, Antoine, is called to war both women are left to fight Nazism and survive war-torn, German-occupied France. In Carriveau, a fictional rural town that translates to “rocky place,” 19-year-old brash and impetuous Isabelle desperately clamors to do something. Vianne is set to live life as quietly as possible to care for her daughter, Sophie. That is until she can’t.

The author implores readers to consider, “In love we find out who we want to be. In war we find out who we are.” How far would you go to protect the ones you love? How far would you go to stand up for what is right?

The author was inspired to write this book after learning the true story of a 19-year-old Belgian woman, Andrée De Jongh, who created an escape route out of Nazi-occupied France.

There are people like Isabelle who shout what’s right to the rooftops and fight fearlessly and relentlessly. Others, like Vianne, do the right thing quietly and surely every day. It’s difficult to argue the greater impact. There are many secrets uncovered in The Nightingale of regular people living regular lives but risking everything. It keeps the reader racing through each page.

The author points out that mothers do not have the luxury of falling apart, even when their children are adults. Vianne will do whatever she must to protect her daughter.

The glimpse of war that Hannah creates is harrowing with living conditions unfathomable. It was not living. It was a story of survival. However, there is hope. There is love. There is the unbreakable bond between sisters and endless sacrifice.

This novel wrings out every hurt and heartache, leaving the reader nearly breathless. Could I ever be that brave?

Like the nightingale’s song, this powerful and beautiful book will sing in my mind for years.

Sonya Cisneros is Membership/Special Events Manager at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Since 2008, she has written for a variety of publications and blogs, including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, DFW.com, Indulge and Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine, where she served as Associate Editor. Sonya is an alumnae of the Bob Schieffer College of Communication School of Journalism at TCU and continues to write on a freelance basis.

The post TWM Book Review: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

We all have one.

It’s collecting dust in a closet, lid wobbling precariously on the mountain of its overstuffed contents. In this box are ticket stubs, love notes, birthday cards, or a photo strip capturing silliness in the form of best friends at a wedding.

I recently opened mine.

Buried at the bottom of two decades was a piece of faded Manila paper, folded in half. Upon seeing the drawing inside, I tried to imagine the little girl who so thoughtfully sketched such a poor representation of a duck using crayons in colors of teal blue and macaroni and cheese. I imagine her full of joy, coloring her heart out for no reason other than to create.

Working at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth provides me with the treasured opportunity to connect children and adults to art experiences that incite wonder.

Drawing from the Collection is a free program that allows adults to tap into their inner kid and provides children with an avenue for expression through sketching.

Two sessions are offered, one for ages 5 to 8 and one for ages 9 to 12. Each session is led by an artist who takes participants through informal drawing exercises in relation to works on view. (Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by an adult.) Bring a sketchbook and pencils. Attendance is limited, so early arrival is encouraged. A sign-up sheet is located at the Information Desk.

A version of the program for adults is hosted simultaneously, which gives parents built-in childcare and time for themselves to take an informal drawing class in the galleries with local artists. Bring a sketchbook and pencils.

Drawing from the Collection for Children, 2-3:30pm

August 7: Christopher Bond and Devyn Gaudet

September 4: James Lassen and Erika Duque

Drawing from the Collection for Adults, 2-3:30pm

August 7: Bernardo Vallarino

September 4: Kris Pierce

Images courtesy of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Additionally, most museums of the Cultural District offer free programs designed to build literacy and art appreciation in preschool-age children (4-6). Here is a selection to get you started.

Wonderful Wednesdays/Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

This program includes a story and short gallery project related to works in the Modern’s collection. Registration is not required, but a sign-up sheet is provided at the Information Desk the day of the program. Space is limited.

August 10: Visiting the work of Frank Stella (4-4:45pm)

September 14: Visiting the work of William Baziotes (4-4:45pm)

Pictures & Pages/Kimbell Art Museum

Popular children’s books inspire group conversations and simple art activities.

Space is limited. Maximum two children per adult. To register, call 817-332-8451, ext. 351, or email edassist@kimbellmuseum.org.

August 2 and 3: The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse (10:30-11:45am)

Images courtesy of the Kimbell Art Museum, photographs by Robert LaPrelle

Storytime/Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Bring your family for stories, art exploration, and art making inspired by selected letters in the alphabet. A snack will be provided. No reservations are required.

July 13: Letters QRS (10:30am-noon)

July 20: Letters TUV (10:30am-noon)

July 27: Letters WXYZ (10:30am-noon)

Story Time Children’s Program, Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Images courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Sonya Cisneros is Membership/Special Events Manager at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Since 2008, she has written for a variety of publications and blogs, including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, DFW.com, Indulge and Fort Worth, Texas: The City’s Magazine, where she served as Associate Editor. Sonya is an alumnae of the Bob Schieffer College of Communication School of Journalism at TCU and continues to write on a freelance basis.

The post kid@he(ART) first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.