The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Enjoy Saturdays in Spring at Stark Cultural Venues. Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House and Shangri La Gardens have something for everyone!

The Stark Museum of Art:

BUGS Exhibition Celebration - April 2, 2016 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Museum guests may experience BUGS, a companion exhibition to David Rogers' BIG BUGS currently on display at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

BUGS consists of four mini-exhibitions: David Rogers Deconstructed: learn about the artist who looks at small bugs in gigantic ways; Insects Deconstructed: investigate and test what you know about bugs and insects; Buggin' Out Juried Student Art Exhibition: a special show of student (K-12) artwork posing insects or arachnids in their natural habitat; and Bound Bugs: rare natural history books from the Stark Museum of Art collections featuring fascinating insects and arachnids.

CREATE! Workshop: Pest Project - April 2, 2016 10:30 am - 12:30 pm; 3:00 to 5:00 pm

Build your own bug out of recyclable materials. Partake in a brief thirty minute museum experience, looking closely, discussing and interpreting a work of art that introduces a theme or idea. Play, experiment, and learn a new way of making art in an hour and a half studio art intensive. Included with general admission. Stark Cultural Members free.

4th Annual Slow Art Day - April 16, 2016 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

One day each year people all over the world visit local museums and galleries to look at art slowly. Participants are asked to look at five works of art for 10 minutes each and then meet together to talk about their experience. Join Dr. Sarah Boehme, Curator of Art, for coffee, cookies, and conversation on the Museum's portico.

SMA Playdate: B is for Bugs - April 16, 2016 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Join us on an insect safari and discover the creepy, crawly creatures living in our special exhibition, and then make your own insect sculpture. Children 5 and under with their grown-ups welcome. Every playdate features gallery play, interactive looking experience, and an art studio visit. Call 409.221.6685 to reserve a spot.

Learning to Look Workshop - May 7, 2016

The workshop is free for teachers and will provide 4 CPE hours. Explore the museum, identify basic concepts of art in the collection and learn ways to make art applicable in the classroom. Call 409.221.6685 to reserve a spot.

Scout Day - May 14, 2016 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

The Museum is offering a special suite of programs just for Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts! Scouts and leaders who are in uniform will enter the Museum FREE of charge and the activities available will allow scouts to complete requirements for specific badges. An activity patch will be awarded for participation.

For more information about Stark Museum of Art, visit, starkmuseum.org.

The W.H. Stark House:

Second Saturday Specialty Tours- April 9 and May 14, 2016

Take this opportunity to study history and the historical role of the Stark and Lutcher families with a unique specialty tour. Staff will lead visitors through, and provide additional information not available on the tour. The exhibition features rarely displayed objects from the Stark House collection and historic photographs and documents. Tours available at 10:00 am,11:00 am, and 12:00 Noon.

How Does Your Garden Grow - April 30, 2016

Your Family Treasures - May 7, 2016

Family is an essential part of the story at The W.H. Stark House, and the history of the Stark family is filled with important, dynamic women. Celebrate the important women in your life this Mother's Day. In the week leading up to Mother's Day, any and all mothers will receive a free Rosemary plant as a gift. Shangri La horticulturalist, Joseph Johnson will lead special tours exploring the gardens and discussing how does your garden grow and how to preserve your family treasures.

For more information about The W.H. Stark House, visit, whstarkhouse.org.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center:

Saturday Adventure Series - April 2, 9, 16, 30 and May 7, 14, 21, 2016

Observe the nesting birds on Ruby Lake from a unique perspective on April 2 for Bird ID.Cloaked and Camouflaged: Masters of Disguise, on April 9, allows the family to experience a bug's life and their survival secrets.

April 16 brings Colors & Jewels.

Family & friends can enjoy this interactive program and discover just how many products come from useful insects.

Investigate a working bee hive and discover how a garden benefits from bees, and taste some honey on April 30 for The Bees Knees.

Mud, Muck & Bugs on May 7 will scoop, examine and identity critters from the bottom of the ponds.

Explore the underground world of worms on May 14 for Wiggly Worms.

Create a nature journal and focus on bugs both large and small on May 21 for Journals & Journeys: A Bug's Life.

Up Close with Nature: Live with Animal Programs - April 30 and May 28, 2016

2:00 to 2:30 pm

Wildlife Curator, Robert Morgan, features one or more live animals that call Shangri La home. During these exciting and informative programs, meet local critters, learn about their adaptations, what they eat, and what might eat them.

Eco-Fest and Butterfly Release - April 23, 2016 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Celebrate Earth Day as local and regional organizations and businesses host booths that provide information about earth-friendly products, services, and opportunities. Games, activities, and engaging presentations provide entertainment for the whole family. Outpost Tours and strolls through the garden provide relaxing escapes from the hustle and bustle, and the day culminates with an inspirational Butterfly Release at 3:30 pm. Included with general admission. Stark Cultural Members free.

Movie Night in the Garden - May 7, 2016 7:30 pm.

Set up a lawn chair, have some popcorn, and have an outdoor family movie night. Included with general admission. Stark Cultural Members free.

For more information about Shangri La Gardens, visit, shangrilagardens.org.