Every week at the Dixon is full of fun and fruitful opportunities, but this week is extra busy! From itty-bitty babies to our lifelong learners, everyone is invited to celebrate art, nature, and summer.
Monday, August 15th
The museum and gardens may be closed on Mondays, but our Youtube channel has bushels of art activities for all ages to do at home, recorded lectures from our curators, and virtual family days. For extra credit, the day off also provides a perfect opportunity to plan your upcoming visit. ;)
Tuesday, August 16th
From 10-5, the galleries are ready and waiting with Ramona Sonin, Flowerful: Fashioning the Armored Feminine, Meet the Dixons: Interactive Gallery, and Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800 to 1960. Park + Cherry is also open, closing just 30min before the museum.
At 10:30 AM, the Education team welcomes the teeny-tiny tots of Mini Masters – a weekly club for ages 2-4. These adorable artists-in-training take on crafts and games that familiarize them with both aspects of the museum’s mission: art and nature.
At 1PM, our Senior Studio returns to work on their Sporting Fashion-inspired acrylic collages. These lifelong learners are spending four weeks crafting their own logos and learning about sporting apparel to celebrate our current exhibition.
Wednesday, August 17th
The museum has a slow and steady morning until our Munch + Learn series begins at noon. Pack a lunch or order ahead from Park + Cherry, then sit back and enjoy! It’s the best way to spend a lunch break – entertaining and educational speakers that change every week. Today’s talk is on Weedy Wonders by Emily Giles from A New Life Herbs.
Afterwards, there’s another break in events – a perfect time to wander the galleries. There’s always something new to see, even in our permanent collection. At 4PM, the peace and quiet is gladly interrupted by the Kaleidoscope Club! Kids, ages 5-9, arrive at the Education Building for an opportunity to think creatively and critically with their peers.
Thursday, August 18th
Today is the busiest day of the week! Doors open at 10AM, and before you can blink, it’s 10:30AM, time for Sprouts! Caregivers and their babies (12-24mo) activate all five senses with unique crafts and games each week. The rest of the day is business as usual, until 5pm when, instead of closing up, our monthly Open Late event begins! This month is our Sunflower Soiree in honor of our summer garden exhibition. Park + Cherry is open for dinner service until 7:30PM with The Sunflower - a specialty summer cocktail made with gin or vodka, triple sec, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
The evening reaches its peak at 6 pm. The Dixon Book Club meets to discuss this month’s read: “One Italian Summer: A Novel” by Rebecca Serle. In the gardens, Laura Gray McCann leads a free yoga session. Guests ages 16+ are learning to dance at Hobby Kick-Start with Flamenco Memphis, and our Gardens department will be hosting a tour of the Sunflower gardens. The evening wraps up at 7PM.
Friday, August 19th
We may have closed up late last night, but we’re open right on time this morning: 10AM! Like every day at the Dixon, Friday is a fun day. At 11:30AM, the food trucks arrive for Food Truck Friday. This week, we have Eat at Eric’s Grill and Tropical Island Smoothies visiting until 1:30PM. In the meantime, Karla Ingram hosts a lunchtime meditation from 12-12:30PM. It’s a great little pick-me-up as we enter the weekend.
Saturday, August 20th
We like to start our mornings right with a 10:30AM Taijiquan class. All guests 16+ are invited to learn from Milan Virgil and practice this Chinese martial art that promotes relaxation, improves balance, and provides no-impact aerobic benefits. And if the weather’s nice, we’ll practice outside in the beautiful gardens!
This evening is Game On! Family Night from 5-8PM, a fun and free evening of games, music, special art activities, and more. Bring the whole family for a nice night out.
Sunday, August 21st
A slow and sweet day. Grab a beverage at Park & Cherry, travel the gardens, and at 2PM, meet in the lobby for Tours at Two – a free tour of our current exhibitions, hosted by one of the Dixon’s expert guides.
Rinse, relax, and repeat! See you next week!
- Brittany Ashley, Communications Intern