Smithsonian Events Week of 5/26-29: Dirt, Sweaters, Fine China and Amelia Earhart
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Tuesday, May 26: Dig It! Activities
Experience the Natural History Museum's Dig It! exhibition a la carte! As you tour the show, keep an eye out for volunteers who will be stationed by interactive carts. They will be available to answer your questions as well as engage you in special, educational activities to enhance your experience of the exhibit. Free. Natural History Museum, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM
Wednesday, May 27: Jean Shin: Common Threads: Exhibition Tour
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with—deconstructed sweaters? No, I'm not talking about what happens when a loved one wreaks havoc with your prized collection of angora tops. Artist Jean Shin collected sweaters from Asian American arts communities from around the country and used them to create her piece Unraveling, which visualizes the interrelationships between people. Come contemplate the meaning of the piece a little deeper in this hour-long tour and be sure to check out the exhibition Jean Shin: Common Threads. Free. American Art Museum, 6:00 PM.
Thursday, May 28: Visualize Chinese Exclusion: Meet Our Museum
Commemorative plates are usually happy additions to one's home decor, boasting chipper images of places you visited, historic events and, on occasion, Julie Andrews. However, in the late 19th Century, the Union Porcelain Works created ceramic pieces that illustrated the horrible reality of exclusionary policies intended to disenfranchise Chinese Americans. Curator Nancy Davis will discuss the objects and will be available to answer any questions after the presentation. Free. American History Museum, 12:00 PM
Friday, May 29: You Can't Do That Amelia!: Flights of Fancy—Stories for Children
Bring the little ones in your family out for story time at the National Air and Space Museum. This week, come hear about Amelia Earhart's escapades as a little girl with a reading of Kimberly Wagner Killer's You Can't Do That Amelia!. Hang around after the reading to participate in an art activity and while you're there, don't forget to see Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega, which she used to make her historic flight across the Atlantic in 1932. And if your kids want to hear more about Amelia, or read about her on their own, I totally recommend Women Who Dare: Amelia Earhart by Susan Reyburn. Free. National Air and Space Museum, 11:00 AM