Frank Hatch Free Day: Memorial Day
Monday, May 30, 2022
11 am - 4 pm
THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM
Bring family and friends for a free day of art-making, music, and gallery games at the museum this Memorial Day.
Enjoy music in the Courtyard and join Polly Thayer Starr Visiting Studio Artist Veronica Robles in the Studio to make masks inspired by creatures in the collection. Then create collages inspired by objects and artworks in the Gardner’s collection. Materials, supplies, and prompts will be provided. Audiences of all ages are invited to participate and no prior art-making experience is necessary!
Veronica Robles is a multi-talented Mexican artist; She is a Mariachi singer, and musician by trade and the founder of Boston's First All Women Mariachi Band. She is a folkloric dancer and choreographer; this discipline helps her empower the youth by employing them and teaching them about their roots and cultures through dance and music classes and performances. She has effectively utilized the power of the arts and culture to bring the communities together by raising awareness on the importance of diversity through producing, and curating small and large events. Although Veronica was raised practicing Cartoneria, cardboard and papier-mâché masks and sculptures that are a traditional handcraft in Mexico, it was not until 2002 that she started practicing this discipline as a way to relax and meditate. Later on she brought this tradition to her community at the Veronica Robles Cultural Center (VROCC), a non-profit organization based in East Boston that inspires community action for social change and supports economic growth by offering jobs for youth and local artists in the arts and culture fields. VROCC offers a wide range of cultural responsive programming focused on traditional arts from various countries of Latin America.
She has received countless awards including the Ohtli Award; this Award is one of the highest and very limited distinctions given by the Government of Mexico. This acknowledgment honors people who have dedicated most of their lives and careers to “blazing a trail” abroad for younger generations as they strive to achieve their dreams. Ohtli is a Nahuatl word that means “pathway”, or camino in Spanish.
Veronica Robles is a Neighborhood Salon Luminary and Visiting Polly Thayer Starr Studio Artist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, as well as a Celebrity Series of Boston Neighborhood Arts program artist.
How to Reserve tickets
Advance registration is required for free timed entry tickets. Given the popularity of this free day, tickets may not be available at the door; only an advance ticket reservation ensures your spot. Free admission includes all activities listed above.
For your safety and the safety of the collection, visitors with timed entry tickets may be asked to wait in line to enter. Groups of 10 or more cannot be accommodated on this day.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum experience is best suited for children ages seven and older. Visitors under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Frank Hatch Free Day is held annually in honor of Francis "Frank" Hatch (1925-2010), longtime Gardner Museum trustee, community advocate, and supporter of the arts and culture in the city.
Free days are supported in part by the Wallace Minot Leonard Foundation.
Studio activities are generously sponsored by the Polly Thayer Starr Charitable Trust.
Education and community programs receive support from the Vertex Foundation, Rowland Foundation, the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation, the Wagner Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Yawkey Foundation, The Beker Foundation, Liberty Mutual Foundation, GRoW @ Annenberg, The Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation, Thomas Anthony Pappas Charitable Foundation, and Janet Burke Mann Foundation.
The Museum also receives operating support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which is supported by the state of Massachusetts.
