Get lost in the shimmering, swirling colors of the bold landscapes of French Impressionist paintings during the Family Art Days at BYU's Museum of Art this Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The magical masterpieces of Claude Monet provide the inspiration for this year's theme titled "Meet Monet." At no cost, art lovers can enjoy fun activities that will introduce them to the Impressionist movement and other artists of this genre.

Activities include Meet Monet story time, making water lilies, summer sing-a-long in French, Monet's garden face painting, Meet Monet film festival and a musical activity, "Dance like Monet paints," said Lynda Palma, the Museum educator in charge of Family Art Days.

"The activities are for children of all ages from tiny to teenagers," Palma said. "It will be a lot of fun."

Volunteers help with all the activities, painting faces, dancing and singing. Children can take home treats and balloons along with their own art creations.

"For the past 11 years, the BYU Museum of Art has hosted a Family Art Days celebration to kick off the summer season with fun activities for children, that are also culturally enriching," said Chris Wilson the Marketing and Communications Manager, in a news release.

The exhibit, "Paths to Impressionism," includes paintings by Camille Pissarro, Childe Hassam, John Singer Sargent and, of course, Claude Monet, Wilson said.

Monet played an especially important role in the Impressionist movement with his freedom of form and visually appealing and compelling art, said Heather Jensen, an art history professor.

"Monet's art allows the viewer to imagine themselves in the painting," Jensen said.

Monet's passion behind the impressionist movement shows through his art, said Samantha Schmidt, a 21-year-old BYU art history graduate from Sandusky, Ohio.

"His paintings make you feel good because they are beautiful and colorful," Schmidt said.

These activities can give children a fun way to learn about art and to exercise the creative side of their brains. It is important for children to learn many forms of art and see how other people are creative, so they may develop and cultivate their own sense of creativity, Schmidt said.

For more information about this event visit moa.byu.edu or call 422-8287.

Copyright Brigham Young University 11 Jun 2007