Katonah Museum Of Art

Don't miss out on visiting the Katonah Museum Of Art - particularly if you're looking for something to do on a rainy or cold day. While small in size, it's rich in art experiences for both children and adults. The museum provides brochures for children and clipboards which they can use to browse the galleries in search of specific items - along with tips for adults to stimulate the child's thoughts and discussion while viewing the artworks. On a recent visit there, we found the "California Impressionists" exhibit an absolute feast for the eyes and our three year-olds loved browsing the galleries in search of the specific items in the paintings (e.g boats, horses, night landscapes, teapots, etc.)

The museum also houses the "The Learning Center" where children can drop-in and explore just about any type of art project they desire. On a visit there during the summer, there were wonderful college interns in the center who welcomed the children and engaged them in a fun art project making sailboats out of cork stops, toothpick and painted paper. The interns then led us outside to the sculpture garden where there were tables and chairs setup with pastels, water and paper for the children to do "en plein air" paintings. The center also has scheduled art activities on Saturdays and Sundays and periodically on weekdays (check the event calendar on their website).

This fall, the interns weren't there and things were more quiet, but we still had a very enjoyable time by engaging some other parents and children that were there and making fun and creative use of all the art materials provided in the center.

Admission is free Tuesday-Friday from 10am-12pm. Other times, the admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students & seniors and children under 12 are free. In return for such a wonderful (practically free) art experience, please don't forget to clean up after yourself and child before you leave the Learning Center - and don't miss the donation box on the wall near the exit. The Katonah Art Museum certainly deserves donations for maintaining such a wonderful art center - and every small donation matters!