Family Day: Weaving + Valuable Objects

Learn to weave on a cardboard loom with guidance from Chicago-based artist Bryana Bibbs. Inspired by the Smart’s current exhibition Theaster Gates: Unto Thee and Bibbs’ distinctive weaving practice, participants will use colorful fiber materials and a variety of objects to create a unique weaving of their own to take home.

Bryana Bibbs is a Chicago-based artist and educator who works at the intersections of textiles, printmaking, painting, and community-based practices. Bibbs earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Fiber and Material Studies at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is the founder of The We Were Never Alone Project - a weaving workshop for victims and survivors of domestic violence, serves on the Surface Design Association’s Education Committee, and was named one of Newcity’s Breakout Artists of 2024.

"Weaving+Valuable Objects" is generously supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Registration is strongly encouraged to help the Smart team best prepare for the day. Walk-ins will be welcome as space allows. If you no longer can attend, kindly release your tickets so other families can attend. Thank you!

Family Day is a free monthly program at the Smart Museum of Art that invites kids of all ages and families of all kinds to create together and connect with one another. Each program is unique, fun, and free, emphasizing self-expression, experimentation, and hands-on creativity. Families can enjoy looking at art in the galleries and then make their way to the museum's lobby and/or courtyard (weather permitting) for an afternoon of art projects inspired by work from the exhibition. Art-making supplies and other materials are provided. Children under the age of 15 should be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Image: Photo from previous Family Day program, courtesy of Smart Museum of Art.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Smart Museum of Art, 5550 South Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, United States