PECO Free First Sunday Family Day: Universal Expression
Sunday, December 6, 10am – 5pm
Free; capacity is limited, and registration is required.
About the Event
It’s the first Sunday of the month, which means free admission at the Barnes. Enjoy fun art activities, exciting performances, and free access to the collection and Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America.
Today, we welcome musician Masayo Ishigure for a special performance. A master of traditional Japanese instruments such as the koto and the jiuta shamisen, Ishigure began playing at a young age. As the founder of the Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble, she reimagines these instruments as contemporary tools for universal expression, spanning genres from classical to jazz. Join us as Ishigure demonstrates how tradition and innovation, together, can create a new genre of music.
And don’t miss our second annual Student Art Show, showcasing the creativity, curiosity, and perspectives of Philadelphia students.
Registration opens Thursday, December 3, at 10am.
What’s On
10am – 1pm
Student Art Show
Visit the lower level lobby to see our annual Student Art Show, featuring students in grades 6–12 from three School District of Philadelphia schools. Working with Barnes educators, these students created works inspired by the collection that highlight their creativity and perspectives. At 11am, in the Comcast NBCUniversal Auditorium, students will present on the ideas, research, and creative processes behind their art.
10am – 4pm
Art Activities
Enjoy art activities and explore the collection through our scavenger hunt challenge to claim your prize! Perfect for the whole family—ages 2 and up.
10:30 – 11am & 11:15 – 11:45am
Storytime
Poet and storyteller Leslie D. Hamilton brings stories and fun for ages 2 and up.
1pm & 2:30pm
Performances by Masayo Ishigure
These interactive musical performances by Masayo Ishigure invites audiences to sing along, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of Japanese culture. Ishigure plays traditional Japanese string instruments such as the koto and the jiuta shamisen and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and other New York venues.
Free First Sunday Family Days at the Barnes
PECO Free First Sunday Family Day events offer no-cost admission to the collection galleries as well as an array of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, musical performances, and interactive workshops.
Go Further
First Friday: Guthrie Ramsey
Pianist and composer Guthrie Ramsey performs Who Hears Here?, a celebration of 250 years of American music.
Barnes Create & Connect
Join us for an art-making experience designed for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners.
PECO Free First Sunday Family Day: Arte y Libertad
Free access to our galleries, plus art activities for the whole family and performances from traditional Mexican dance group Ñuuxakun.