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Visitors enjoying a Drop-In Art Making activity in the East Building Atrium.

First Saturday: February

First Saturdays

  • Saturday, February 3, 2024
  • 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • East Building
  • Festivals
  • In-person

Celebrate Black history, art, and stories in this special day. Learn about two of Washington D.C.’s greatest artists, Alma Thomas and Sam Gilliam, and make art inspired by them.  Plus, listen to the sounds of the D.C. Youth Orchestra and check out Celebrating Black Stories, a series of short films curated by the New York International Children’s Film Festival. All activities are free, and most are first come, first served.

On the first Saturday of each month the National Gallery springs to life with a variety of engaging activities for all ages. Learn about upcoming First Saturdays.

Fun for kids

Storytime

Atrium, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Let’s play together while reading aloud the children’s book Love You, Baby /Te Amo, Bebé by Amy Pixton in English and Spanish. We welcome all ages, especially our youngest visitors and nursing parents.

Details

Fun for kids

Films for Children and Teens

East Building Auditorium, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Celebrating Black Stories is series of short films spotlighting Black narratives that transcend national boundaries, culture, and language with films in English, French, Shona, and even ASL! Join a young astronomer during a lunar eclipse, a meaningful first visit to a barbershop, and witness the magic of a neighborhood castle all in one sitting with this immersive collection of films highlighting Black storytelling. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 

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Fun For Kids

Drop-In Artmaking

Atrium, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.
First come, first served

Drop-in artmaking is a great way to try your hand at creating art in an informal, relaxed environment. Artmaking activities are designed for all ages and abilities.

Details

Fun for Kids

Kids' Play Space

Atrium, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.
First come, first served

Designed for our littlest art lovers. Play, build, sort, and stack in a hands-on space.

Details

Fun for Kids

Sketching Lab

Atrium, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult.
First come, first served

Visit our sketching lab to activate your imagination and ideas. Then, add your sketch to our community display to showcase your creativity. 

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Fun for Kids

Pop-Up Library

Study Center Atrium, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Enjoy special selections from the National Gallery of Art Library along with quiet activities for kids.

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Performances

DC Youth Orchestra

East Building Mezzanine, 1:30 and 3:00 p.m.

The DC Youth Orchestra’s Young Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Evan Ross Solomon, perform a short program of works by composers from the African diaspora. The program will include Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint George’s Symphony No. 2, Scott Joplin’s Solace, and Samuel Coleridge Taylor’s The Bamboula.

Details

Art Films and Special Screenings

Girls

East Building Auditorium, 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.

Join us for the DC premiere of Scottish-based playwright and performer Adura Onashile’s first feature film. Girl delicately tells the story of 11 year-old Ama and her mother, Grace, who take solace in an isolated world they obsessively create. After harrowing experiences in their homeland of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mother and daughter try to find refuge in a sometimes hostile area of Glasgow.   (Adura Onashile, 2023, DCP, 87 minutes) 

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