McAllen News, McAllen TX News, IMAS programs
Staff Report,
McAllen, TX - The International Museum of Art & Science has announced a full slate of January programs ranging from youth workshops and homeschool sessions to family events and live performances, continuing its mission to connect art, science and culture for audiences of all ages.
Museum background and community role
Founded in 1967, the International Museum of Art & Science serves as a regional hub for science education, visual arts and cultural programming in the Rio Grande Valley. The museum features permanent and rotating exhibitions, hands-on science galleries, educational workshops and community events, welcoming families, students and visitors year-round.
Homeschool days focus on water engineering
IMAS will host Homeschool Days focused on water engineering, supported by McAllen Public Utility. The sessions are designed for two age groups and emphasize water conservation and science.
Students ages 7–9 will explore rainwater harvesting at the MPU Biozone Cistern from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., learning about water collection while building a take-home rain chain. A second session for ages 10–14 runs from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and introduces desalination and groundwater resources through collaborative, hands-on activities.
Youth workshop mixes physics and art
A Youth Workshop titled “Catapults & Paint” is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will design and test catapults outdoors, launching paint to create abstract artwork. The workshop includes both individual projects and a collaborative group piece for the museum’s Ann Moore Art Studio. Aprons will be provided, and participants are advised to wear clothes suitable for messy activities.
Exploring the Olmecs event
IMAS will host “Exploring the Olmecs” on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daylong event is included with general admission and free for members. Activities include presentations on Olmec culture, an Olmec colossal head community piñata build, jaguar mask decorating, Ojo de Dios weaving and other hands-on experiences highlighting Mesoamerican civilizations.
Guests can also participate in a drop-in Olmec Head air-dry clay activity for $5, sculpting their own Olmec-inspired piece while learning about the history of the ancient monuments.
Multi-sensory concert and cosmos programming
A special event, “The Stars Resonate,” will take place Sunday, Jan. 18, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The multi-sensory concert combines live music and visual art, featuring a newly composed work by J. Todd Frazier alongside live visuals by photographer Mark Chen. The program also includes selections from Holst, Tyzen Hsiao and Astor Piazzolla. Admission is included with general entry and free for members.
Later in the month, “Mysterious Cosmos: Cosmic Discoveries” is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., offering free admission. The family-oriented program includes hands-on activities, presentations and telescope viewing with support from the UTRGV Center of Excellence in STEM Education.
Girl Scouts workshops and live music
IMAS will also host Girl Scouts workshops, including a Brownie-level Outdoor Art session on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and a Junior-level Art and Design workshop on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both workshops combine gallery tours with guided art projects.
The month concludes with a Jazz Combo performance as part of the UTRGV Concert Series on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Source -- International Museum of Art & Science.