Festive displays highlight Family Fun Day at TMA

TYLER -- Our neighbors to the south are in the spotlight as the Tyler Museum of Art continues its holiday celebration with a free TMA Family Day from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at the museum.

During Family Days, adults and children of all ages are invited to learn more about the museum's exhibitions through free gallery tours, art activities and more, said Elnora Williams, TMA school tour coordinator and education assistant.

With Yuletide approaching, this Sunday's Family Day highlights "Silent Night, Holy Night" (Noche De Paz, Noche De Amor), a bilingual, holidaythemed exhibition featuring close to 20 traditional Mexican nativity scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ as interpreted by classic and contemporary Latin American artists. The show, continuing through Jan. 27 in the museum's Bell Gallery, contains works on loan from Laura and Dan Boeckman, the Dallas-area patrons of the arts who have compiled one of the nation's premiere collections of contemporary Mexican and Latin American folk art.

"This Family Day is particularly special because it gives us the opportunity to share our celebration of the holiday season as it's seen across different cultures," said TMA Director Kimberley Bush Tomio. "Everyone who views the nativity scenes comments on how colorful and full of life they are. Not only are they a lot of fun to look at - such as the mariachi musicians included in one group, or the very tiny carved wooden nativity - but they show us what a vital role artistic expression can play in bringing us all together, especially at this time of the year."

Family Day activities begin with parents and children taking a self-guided tour of "Silent Night, Holy Night," with holiday themed refreshments to be served immediately afterward in the TMA classroom.

Younger visitors then can turn their attention to their own creations, with a variety of art activities in the classroom celebrating the nativity theme.

All Family Day activities are open to the public with free admission. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to make reservations by calling (903) 595-1001 on or before Friday, Nov. 30.

The Tyler Museum of Art is located at 1300 S. Mahon Ave., at the corner of Apache Pass, adjacent to the Tyler Junior College campus off East Fifth Street. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays.