This summer, the Davis Museum at Wellesley College is embracing the outdoors by hosting family-friendly activities on the Davis Museum plaza. The second annual summer series includes films, art-making activities, food, and—for the first time—outdoor yoga.

SUMMER KICK-OFF CELEBRATION

The summer series at the Davis Museum will commence with a kick-off event on Thursday, June 22, from 5-7 p.m. The spring exhibitions will still be open for tours inside, and visitors can then head outside to the plaza to enjoy food, interactive art activities, a treasure hunt, and story time. The kick-off celebration schedule is below:

5-7 p.m.: Free art activities and treasure hunt

5:30-6 p.m.: Stories and Songs with Wellesley Free Library

6:05-6:50 p.m.: Museum Tour

THE ART OF OUTDOOR YOGA

Yoga is proven to be a therapeutic activity for all ages and body types. When yoga is practiced after viewing works of art, and then embracing the beauty of outdoors, the results can only improve! Sara DiVello—a national yoga teacher, speaker, and award-winning author who has found a niche teaching yoga in art museums—joins the Davis for its inaugural outdoor summer yoga series. The sessions include a 15-minute special tour and private viewing of a meditative object inside the Davis. The summer yoga classes will take place on Tuesdays: June 27, July 11, July 18, and July 25, from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Cost: $20 per class ($10 Friends of Art Members, Wellesley Students, Faculty, and Staff); or $70 for all four classes ($35 for Friends of Art Members, Wellesley Students, Faculty, and Staff)

OUTDOOR FILM SERIES

Films are best watched under the stars so the Davis will take advantage of the outdoor plaza to project films that feature hand-drawn animation on the outside of the museum building. Visitors are welcome to arrive as early as 7 p.m. to enjoy art-making activities for all ages, and to get settled into their viewing spot. Admission to each film is free and the Davis will also provide popcorn and refreshments—as well as free beer for visitors ages 21 and above—at no charge. Visitors are encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets for their comfort. The Summer Film Series includes four great movies, listed below:

The Little Mermaid (1989)

June 29, 2017

Venture under the sea where Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid princess, longs to be part of the human world. After bravely striking a bargain with Ursula, a sneaky sea witch, Ariel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. With Flounder and Sebastian at her side, Ariel will need all of her courage and determination to make things right in both her worlds.

Museum open until 7 p.m.

Art activities from 7-8 p.m.

Screenings start at 8 p.m.

Song of the Sea (2014)

July 13, 2017

Based on the Irish legend of the Selkies, Song of the Sea tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. Pursued by the owl witch Macha and a host of ancient and mythical creatures, Saoirse and Ben race against time to awaken Saoirse’s powers and keep the spirit world from disappearing forever.

Art activities from 7-8 p.m.

Screenings start at 8 p.m.

Ponyo (2008)

July 27, 2017

Ponyo centers on the friendship between five-year-old Sosuke and a magical goldfish named Ponyo, the young daughter of a sorcerer father and a sea-goddess mother. After a chance encounter, Ponyo yearns to become a human so she can be with Sosuke.

Art activities from 7-8 p.m.

Screenings start at 8 p.m.

The Iron Giant (1999)

August 10, 2017

In the small town of Rockwell, Maine, in 1957, nine-year-old Hogarth finds a 50-foot giant robot with an insatiable appetite for metal and a childlike curiosity about its new world. Rumors soon spread, prompting the arrival of a government agent. The situation escalates and the possible destruction of Rockwell looms. Hogarth turns to his friend, the Iron Giant, who ultimately finds its humanity by unselfishly saving the town’s residents from their own fears and prejudices.

Art activities from 7-8 p.m.

Screenings start at 8 p.m.